ITP A3 Eos EXPLODED!

[Monocrom]

gosh I wish this thread had a more satisfying conclusion :ironic:

Agreed.

I'm inclined to think it is indeed an issue with the battery. Probably due to the use of a cheap one. I EDC three lights. While my primary changes quite a bit, my secondary and keychain lights stay the same. Photon Freedom on the keys. Maratac AAA black aluminum model in the back-pocket. Got a Duraloop rechargeable in it. I'll let you guys know if it blows up. Seriously doubt it though.

 

[Felco]

Haven't got time to read this whole thread, but need to post a warning here. My stainless steel iTP A3 Eos nearly exploded with an alkaline (Duracell) battery.

First symptom is extreme tightness, like the threads are cross threaded. Happened twice, the second time so much pressure I could not open by hand. Next symptom was a puff of escaping (hydrogen?) gas after I used two pliers to turn the headpiece off the body.

No problem with the flashlight, put in new rechargeables and works fine, and no repeat of this has occurred.

WARNING: DO NOT USE ALKALINE BATTERIES!



Mods need to post some sort of sticky warning thread...
bye

 

[tsmccull]

Thanks for the warning Felco. I had an alkaline in mine, but have switched to L92 lithium Ultimates. The light seems brighter now as well (I think the alkaline was dropping off in voltage faster than the lithium does).

 

[AlgaeEater]

Thread necromancy! Rise from your grave!

In any case this happened to me a couple of times already but I thought nothing of it. Now that I'm looking into buying another one of these A3 EoS lights, I came across this thread.

YES, this does happen with this light. I have made it regular habit of "venting" the battery compartment of the light every week. Takes a few seconds, just twit the top off and then put it back on. Other than that, the light has been solid and works wonders. (Hence why I want to buy more)

I hope people don't get too afraid of the light and alkaline, since I use only alkaline with this light and it's been fine for me.

😱

 

[Woods Walker]

I only use NiMH or LSD NiMH in my A3. Guessing it will run better on high and heck saves me some cash to boot.

 

[ps56k]

We have the ITP A3 EOS Upgraded lights on each of the keyrings in the house. Recently our son said his light didn't work when he and mom were out looking for something. I opened it up, and the Duracell had leaked just a tiny bit. Cleaned it out and popped in a new battery, and all is well.

Since these lights for us are used only as needed, and when needed - does it make sense to swap out the Duracell Alka for the Energizer Lithiums ?
Not so much for run time, or even the shelf life, but rather better life without leaking ?

Are the Energizer Lithiums OK for use in the A3 EOS ?

 

[Streamer]

Yes, energizer lithiums are OK for the A3 EOS. I have them in mine. Peace of mind. You'll be glad you switched...

 

[Shooter21]

As a chemical engineer I can tell you it doesn't take much battery acid to react with aluminum to create enough hydrogen to make an explosion with spark.

I never use alkalines in my flashlights, they are just mass produced junk. I swear at least 1 out of 100 leak. After I found AW Lithiums I never used another alkaline, they are a fantastic safe battery.

i would say an alkaline is safer since usually it will leak if it's defective but a lithium battery can turn the torch into a pipe bomb.

 

[Monocrom]

i would say an alkaline is safer since usually it will leak if it's defective but a lithium battery can turn the torch into a pipe bomb.

You do realize that the chemistry in a lithium AAA battery is a bit different from that of a CR123, right?

Main issue with flashlights taking lithium batteries that have vented with flame is usually found in multi-cell lights. A quality, single, lithium AAA battery in a well-made single-cell light is about as dangeous as a sleeping puppy.

 

[Shooter21]

You do realize that the chemistry in a lithium AAA battery is a bit different from that of a CR123, right?

Main issue with flashlights taking lithium batteries that have vented with flame is usually found in multi-cell lights. A quality, single, lithium AAA battery in a well-made single-cell light is about as dangeous as a sleeping puppy.

so there's never been a case where a high quality single cell AA/AAA lithium battery exploded?

 

[roadkill1109]

wow, scary story! i carry an iTP A3 Upgraded in my pocket, and its rocking a 10440 cell... hmmm... time to just leave it in my bag.

After hearing this story, nothing still beats the Quark AA w/ 14500! Best EDC ever! haha 🙂 (well, until my V10A XML arrives) hehehe...

 

[roadkill1109]

We have the ITP A3 EOS Upgraded lights on each of the keyrings in the house. Recently our son said his light didn't work when he and mom were out looking for something. I opened it up, and the Duracell had leaked just a tiny bit. Cleaned it out and popped in a new battery, and all is well.

Since these lights for us are used only as needed, and when needed - does it make sense to swap out the Duracell Alka for the Energizer Lithiums ?
Not so much for run time, or even the shelf life, but rather better life without leaking ?

Are the Energizer Lithiums OK for use in the A3 EOS ?

You could use a 10440 cell, they have quite the long shelf life. i haven't recharged mine in like 5 months now, and it is just used from time to time only. you'd probably use them less, for emergencies as what you said. The trick is if it is needed, turn it on to med power and its runtime will be much much longer than the HI on any regular alkaline battery. Busting it on max will give 200+ lumens, but the light gets hot in under a minute, good for short bursts of powerful light.

 

[roadkill1109]

Forgot to mention, how about using Sanyo Eneloops? These are great batteries with extra long shelf life. At least if you dont want to use a 10440, and find Energizer Lithiums too expensive, the Sanyo Eneloop will fit you nicely! Plus you save the environment by using renewable power! 🙂

 

[roadkill1109]

Oh yeah, how about using Sanyo Eneloops? They do have long shelf life and they will never leak. For those not wanting to use 10440, you could use eneloops and save the environment! 🙂

 

[purelite]

How come this is being attributed to the ITP? couldnt this happen in any light?

 

[march.brown]

Oh yeah, how about using Sanyo Eneloops? They do have long shelf life and they will never leak. For those not wanting to use 10440, you could use eneloops and save the environment! 🙂

I use Eneloops on all my ITP A3's and A2's ... I can't remember when I last charged them ... Must do it soon ... It isn't that important 'cos I carry two A3's and an A2 every day ... If one dies there are two others left ... All three won't die at the same time.
.

 

[cobracon]

i agree with the theory of gas being generated from somewhere and igniting. i'd be interested what brand of bat was in it at the time.

 

[pjandyho]

so there's never been a case where a high quality single cell AA/AAA lithium battery exploded?

Have you heard of one? I know I haven't. And even if there is remotely even one, I can't imagine how one can classify that as highly dangerous considering millions are being made.

 

[Monocrom]

Have you heard of one? I know I haven't. And even if there is remotely even one, I can't imagine how one can classify that as highly dangerous considering millions are being made.

+1

All the time I've been on CPF, I've never taken a break. Never heard of an incident of a single AA or AAA lithium violently venting with flame.

 

[Frank_Zuccarini]

For what it's worth, I've just lost my SECOND A3 EOS flashlight to a leaking Duracell AAA battery. No explosion, or anything so dramatic. Simply stopped working, so I opened it up and found a leaking battery with just a bit of corrosion on the inside of the flashlight, bridging the spring and wall. No release of pressure upon opening it, and the head was not noticable stiffer to unscrew.

I love this light, keeping it on my keychain at all times. Mass produced alkaline batteries are simply prone to leakage. End of story.

I will soon be carrying my backup A3, and I am seriously considering investing in a different battery chemistry.

Frank