Nitecore RCR123A's dead? Why?

[lugueto]

Hello, I'm having trouble with 4 Nitecore RCR123As and I'm trying to figure out what went wrong. These batteries have maybe 1 year and I charge them about once a month as they discharge from use. I use them on a Surefire G2X Pro and charge them exclusively on a Nitecore I2 charger that came with them.

Is a year of relatively low use the regular lifespan of quality RCR123As?

Recently I've found that one pair of batteries won't work, and the second pair will only work on high mode, there's no low mode. I just purchased another set of 4x RCR123As and dismissed a problem with the flashlight itself, but I wouldn't want to kill these batteries for the same reason the Nitecores died.

Any ideas?

 

[desert.snake]

Most likely, the protection board died. If you cut it with a knife, you will most likely be able to use these batteries as unprotected, just add cheap neodymium magnets to compensate for the length.

First you need to cut off the shell, then remove the excess board, then put the shell back on, or use electrical tape

guts is very well shown here
https://lygte-info.dk/info/battery protection UK.html

 

[RDlight]

Certainly agree with checking the protection board. However if you have a multimeter checking battery voltage before and after charging may be a good start.Unless there is a specific characteristic in the driver board on that particular light there should not be a draw on your battery when turned off. Might check for a parasitic draw on the light. All the best

 

[archimedes]

Most likely, the protection board died. If you cut it with a knife, you will most likely be able to use these batteries as unprotected, just add cheap neodymium magnets to compensate for the length.

First you need to cut off the shell, then remove the excess board, then put the shell back on, or use electrical tape

guts is very well shown here
https://lygte-info.dk/info/battery protection UK.html

Please understand what you are doing, including potential risks involved, prior to considering the above.

Note that desert.snake may be an expert, but there is a chance of creating a dead-short circuit at more than one point among those processes.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Do you have a multi-meter? If not get one. Excellent necessary tool when working with Li-Ion cells.

Bill