Gerber Infinity Ultra/lithium battery

[thartley]

I sent my CMG Ultra into Gerber for service because it wouldn't stay turned on when the head was screwed into the body. I just recieved a brand new Ultra today from Gerber. It sports the Gerber Legendary Blades logo. They have changed the shade of the green anodizing on it. It reminds me more of a Christmas tree ornament compared to the olive drab green of the CMG version. It is about the same shade of green as the twist top of a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale bottle cap (I apologize to those of you not on the West Coast who may not know of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, but that was the only thing I could find laying around that matched...) I guess I would have liked to choose either the black or silver body instead of the green had I known it was going to be that shade of green. The picture on their web site is not accurate. Either that, or they decided to use their 'seconds' in annodizing for warranty replacement.

The machining looks to be the same as the CMG version - my main complaint would be that the back end of the light could stand to have the edges eased a bit. This was one of the things mentioned a couple of years ago on CPF about the CMG version.

The package now comes with an AA battery instead of the lanyard CMG supplied. It still comes with the black pocket clip.

One thing I have wondered about the Ultra and why my CMG version may have failed has to do with using a Lithium Ion battery in it. I had read here that using a Lithium Ion battery would give a bit more light and last longer. I ran one in it and I always noticed a funny odor whenever I opened the case.

I'm wondering if there was some off-gassing from the battery that may have done something to the guts of the head and caused it to corrode or somehow loosen the potting in the head. It could have been the normal smell of the case and the lubricant they used on the treads or the potting compound. I may be totally off base on this because it seems the new one smells the same way and this hasn't had a battery in it yet.

I think I recall someone posting something about using the Lithium Ion battery in it which is why I did it in the first place, but I don't know if there was ever anything posted regarding any problems. I would appreciate any feedback regarding this.

Thanks.

 

[Stanley]

If I am not wrong all lithium cell lights gives off that 'odor' that you described. All my 123 lights and even the box I keep all my spare batteries in has that same (familiar) smell. I use a L91 lithium in my Ultra G, and aside from the smell, it still works great with no problems at all. I suppose a Li-Ion should run just as well too...

 

[sotto]

I've used lithium AA cells in all my Infinities, including Ultras, without difficulties.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

I know that Energizer L91 lithium cells with the silver and blue case output around 1.6 volts; and the older style in the gold and red case puts out around 1.7 volts (both open-circuit voltages) - but I do not know what the Li:ION AA cell outputs.

I don't think you should run an Infinity or Infinity Ultra at much over 1.7 volts, or you might be asking for it.

 

[paulr]

I measured the blue/silver at about 1.72v open circuit for a nearly new cell recently.

 

[Steelwolf]

Running the Infinity Ultra on those L91 is perfectly fine. The smell is from the electrolyte they use in the cell and has absolutely nothing to do with the Infinity's failure.

Lithium-Ion cells start out at 3.6V nominal and are not recommended for use in the Infinity.

The most common reason for the Infinity's failure is board flex. I'm sure this was common in the first generation Infinity. The board was supported by the edges alone. The electronics sat in a void and the LED legs were bent to reach the solder points so it afforded no extra support. The action of turning on the Infinity would flex the board a little and gave rise to the probability that the flexing solder would crack and cause intermittent contact. My first Infinity failed because the inductor fell off its pads.

Subsequently, the void was filled with potting material. This was probably done to stiffen the board, prevent the solder pads from cracking, seal the electronics against moisture and provide support to the board to prevent excessive flexing. However, one of my newer Infinity also started to go intermittent (despite having the fairly sedentary task of hanging by my bed for emergency use). To cut a long story short, I damaged the board in trying to repair it, so thought there was nothing to lose by opening it up and having a gander.

I found that the potting in the board was soft and did not completely fill the void. This means that the board is still very much at the mercy of flex damage. Hopefully CMG or Gerber will get its act together and find a way to ensure the board is better supported or completely fill the void. Afterall, Arc manages to do it quite well.

 

[Stanley]

Steelwolf, thanks for the detailed explanation. Maybe that does explain why I need to turn the head on my Ultra much closer to the body (tighten) to get the light to switch on as compared to before... Looks like I gotta be careful too.

 

[SJACKAL]

Smells like nuts and almonds, makes me reach for my almond chocolates. Yummmm!

 

[Aloft]

Using lithiums (the L91 blue and silver AA's, not LiIon rechargeables) is important to me because I have had so many lights ruined from leaky alkalines. I started running a lithium in my Infinity Ultra about 2 weeks ago. I use lights sparingly out of habit (and it's difficult to change!) with no problems so far. I always ask folks to post if they have a problem that may be caused by using lithiums, so thanks Thartley, even though it appears your problem is not Li related. I'll post immediately if I think Li's ruined a light (Streamlight says Li's will void the warranty--bummer!), but it seems that "regulated" flashlights can handle Li's ok.

 

[chiphead]

There are a lot of flashlight I'd won't buy for the shear fact that they can't handle lithiums! When the weather gets down to 31F or lower, lithiums are the way to go!

chiphead