Li-ion rechargeables question ...

[kennieyk]

i bought a set of recharebles Li-ion cr123 3.0v 400mah.. will these be safe to use in my surefire g2 p-60 ?? I got them from radioshack and tryed them in the light for about a 1/2 hour then it was very hot and i think i saw a little smoke come out ,, is this normal or should i not use these in flashlights ??
I also wanted to know if these are the batteries where you should let them get fully discharged before charging because of memory ??
thanks

 

[Gunner12]

Smoke is usually bad. Did you smell anything?

The batteries might blow the incan bulb if fully charged.

You should not fully discharge a Li-ion battery, that would shorten the batteries life.

 

[kennieyk]

No there was no smells ,, I had the light laying in the basement for a long time .. maybe it was just some dust on the lens or bulb burning off .. They are 3.0v so they should be fine ,, I hope !~:candle:

 

[TigerhawkT3]

What exactly was hot? If it was the cells themselves, that's bad. I don't think I would trust those to run a P60. What are you using to charge them?

 

[kennieyk]

What exactly was hot? If it was the cells themselves, that's bad. I don't think I would trust those to run a P60. What are you using to charge them?

i would say very warm from the bulb maybe ???

this is the charger ..

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...&sr=1&origkw=cr123&kw=cr123&parentPage=search

and batts

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...&sr=1&origkw=cr123&kw=cr123&parentPage=search


batts and charger came in one package ...

 

[mdocod]

get a 17670 and a HO-4 ...

using 3.0V li-ion cells is a backa##ackwards way about achieving a rechargeable flashlight, as you still have 3.7V cells, but are wasting power in a regulator to buck the voltage down.. but will still likely blow more lamps as the 3.0V li-ion cells will usually deliver more voltage under that kind of load than the 3V CR123s they were designed to replace.

 

[kennieyk]

get a 17670 and a HO-4 ...

using 3.0V li-ion cells is a backa##ackwards way about achieving a rechargeable flashlight, as you still have 3.7V cells, but are wasting power in a regulator to buck the voltage down.. but will still likely blow more lamps as the 3.0V li-ion cells will usually deliver more voltage under that kind of load than the 3V CR123s they were designed to replace.

i will read the link ,,,looks interesting. i tryed another link in the sticky on batts but i think its dead ! :thanks:

 

[Frenchman]

My first guess is you're suffering from a combination of issues. First, you bought 400mAh batteries to replace what were likely at least double or triple that capacity. Right there you are straining or surpassing the intended load for those batteries, invariably causing them to heat excessively.

Second, as Mdocod said, those lithium ions won't suffer as much voltage drop as a comparable nickel battery would. This will cause your lamp to stay brighter for longer, which isn't a bad thing but will generate a bit more heat the usual.

Last, again as Mdocod said, your cells are 3.7V being dropped down to 3V somehow. This is wasted power and will cause your cells to heat a bit more.

All of this, but mostly the first issue are probably causing your excessive heat issues. You need to buy cells rated for higher discharge, not cells made to drive cameras.

Also, your lithium ion batteries require no special effort on your part. Use them, and drop them in the charger. Quite simple.

 

[LuxLuthor]

As in my other post. First learn about proper use and care of Li-Ion cells. They are not as carefree as NiCd/NiMH cells if abused or charged incorrectly.

IMHO, if you are seeing or smelling smoke that is indicative of a significant and abnormal issue. No battery of any type should ever output smoke of any kind. Make sure your charger is not the problem.

Long ago I had bought a couple "universal" 4 cell Li-Ion charger as shown below. While using it to charge a 4s pack of AA sized UNPROTECTED Li-Ions (14500), I smelled that electical burning smell in the other room while watching TV. When I came in to investigate, the charger's plastic housing had started to melt while it was sitting on a formica countertop. My kneejerk reaction was to unplug the charger and throw it outside. I later threw it away, and wished I had kept it for posterity and pictures.

Several months later, I finally noticed one of the safety topics about Li-Ions and began reading and learning about their proper care.

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