My G2 died today...

[J!m]

So I'm at work, using my G2 to check plasma gun bores, and a customer I'm working with asks to see my light to check the bore himself.

I go off to do another task, and he comes back five seconds later, and says: "OK, what's the trick?" He couldn't get it to light up, and neither could I.

The batteries are the original set on a 120L SureFire drop-in, so I don't think it was overdriven. It may have flashed, but I think we would have noticed that... I just used it less than five minutes prior to handing the light over (it wasn't even dropped in between), and it was working just fine.

Anyway, I will check the voltage in the cells now, but is there anything else I might be missing, besides the obvious filament failure? If the batteries outlast the bulb, I will be a bit miffed...:thumbsdow

 

[KeyGrip]

If it's the bulb, SureFire will replace it. It could be a tailcap problem, but those are really rare with the G2. Check the contacts, there might be a problem there.

 

[J!m]

Thanks.

I suspect it's the bulb, since I had been using it several times earlier in the day. Just a few seconds at a time, to check that bore, and search for some fittings in a cabinet. I JUST used it prior to giving it over, then all of a sudden it doesn't work.

It really seems like the bulb... I have to test a few things and get back.

If it was dropped, I might suspect the tailcap, but it's such a simple design (no click) I don't see that failing... And it has been dropped before; I mean I don't baby this thing.

I thought SureFire did not warrant bulbs? I guess if the bulb dies quicker than the cells, that might be cause for alarm...

 

[IcantC]

Did you try new batteries? The p61 lamp has 20 mins runtime...

Surefire will replace everything except bulbs and lamps(normal wear and tear).

 

[J!m]

Is the P61 regulated? If so, it could be the cells...

it was plenty bright (although not 120 lumen) just before failure...

I expected it to dim somewhat before dying...

 

[J!m]

I just checked the cells:

2.803V
2.806V

This seems pretty high for a cell rated at 3V, only a ~6% drop below 'nominal' voltage.

I also checked the lamp assembly, and the resistance was less than one ohm, as was the tail cap and body.

I have some new cells at home, so I'll try those tonight and see what happens...

Any other ideas?:thinking:

 

[Gunner12]

The P61 is basically a bulb in a reflector, no circuitry.

I've heard almost Li-ion batteries will still measure close to 2.7-2.8v but drop in voltage under a load.

If new cells doesn't fix it, then it's a dead bulb. If I was you, I'd take this chance to buy a good LED drop-in. Similar to more output with more runtime.

 

[KeyGrip]

SureFire will replace a lamp if it dies earlier than it should. I don't know why, but for some reason I assumed this was a new-ish lamp and that assumption caused the comment. Any updates?

 

[Size15's]

I don't tend to measure the voltage of the batteries I use but I'm reasonably confident that an SF123A at 2.8V is dead with regards to driving the P61. It sucks the juice out of the SF123As pretty hard.

I suggest you try a fresh set of SF123A batteries.

You can also try the original P60 with both the used batteries and a fresh set to check that it's not things wrong with the G2 (although I can't imagine that'll be the case)

If your P61 lamp is new and it hasn't lasted even one set of SF123A batteries then I suggest you give SureFire a call, explain your situation and see what they say.

Al

 

[J!m]

New cells did it!:wave:

 

[Khaytsus]

New cells did it!:wave:

DOH! Good to hear.

 

[nzgunnie]

P61 draws a lot of current, you may find those 'dead' cells will run a low current draw light for considerable more time to come, but just can't power the very high current draw P61.

 

[KeyGrip]

Nzgunnie's right. Don't throw those cells away, use them in an Inova X5.

 

[J!m]

How about in my E1E?

 

[precisionworks]

Fresh, right-out-of-the-box Surefire CR123s will read (no load) between 3.245 and 3.250. They'll continue to work in a number of lights, depending on the regulator circuit, to around 2.900 ... and they'll light the LEDs in an A2 Aviator far below that.

 

[Gunner12]

How about in my E1E?

It would be dim and won't run the battery as low as an Inova X5.

The X5 is a 5 5mm LED(Nichia CS) light that runs on 2 CR123 batteries. Many here use it to drain their CR123 batteries. I don't recall what it uses(resistor or driver) but since the Vf of the LED is around 3.7v, as long as the to total battery voltage is above/around that voltage, the light will keep running.

Look at your local Target or similar store.

 

[J!m]

Sounds interesting...:naughty:

 

[KeyGrip]

It's the perfect light for the application. Plus it's cheap and you're supporting a good company.

 

[jugg2]

Cells that won't even light my P60 will still run my Fenix T-1 on low.

 

[BargainMonkey]

I know it costs more than the G2, but I really like my Malkoff M60L in my G2. Light output is very similar to a P61 on fresh batteries, but the runtime is about 4 hours instead of 20 minutes.