Old cr123

[staghater]

Hi,
just a quick question regarding old cr123 primaries.
Have a bunch of batteries that still work even they are best before 2017 :O
Is it safe to use them in 1 cr123 lights or to ditch them?
As far i noticed on forums, double 123 batteries are not safe to run if they are old or mismatched but am i safe with single old cr123 in light?

 

[3_gun]

I'm still using Surefire date 2015 so I'd say yes

 

[staghater]

I'm still using Surefire date 2015 so I'd say yes

Ok, if my pocket blow up i am sending you bill

 

[ChrisGarrett]

SureFire 123A Battery Long Term Testing - FlashlightGuide

I received a phone call from SureFire asking if I would be interested in testing some old 123A lithium primary batteries. How old? More than 12 years old!

flashlightguide.com

Worth the short read.

Chris

 

[ampdude]

I have tons of ancient CR123A's I'm always going through before the newer ones. I just make a habit of checking their voltage and knowing where they originally came from to decide if they are safe in multi-cell lights. And I only use quality CR123A's. Not that most aren't nowadays, but there use to be some real questionable ones out there and I'm sure still are.

 

[JasonC8301]

I have some 2011-2013 dated cells with the old label and I just ran them on my ZTS tester (tests the cells under load) and was surprised to find them at 80% capacity.

I intend to use them in my SF E1B or Nitecore EX10.

 

[ampdude]

Did they come in boxes like these?

 

[JasonC8301]

Did they come in boxes like these?

Something like that. I'll snap a photo when I get home

 

[ampdude]

They have a pinkish hue on the wrappers instead of the normal full red if you ever open one up, and a SUREFIRE font like nothing you will see on any batteries newer than 2002 production or so. 2001-2013 expiration sounds about right then. Around 2003-2004 they started with the different old school font and full red wrappers.

 

[JasonC8301]

They have a pinkish hue on the wrappers instead of the normal full red if you ever open one up, and a SUREFIRE font like nothing you will see on any batteries newer than 2002 production or so. 2001-2013 expiration sounds about right then. Around 2003-2004 they started with the different old school font and full red wrappers.

I must have used the older cells. All I have left are 2006 production cells in those APS film canisters. Kept the empty box for nostalgia I guess. Sits in my spare parts box.

Found a battery station pelican 1010 case with the foam cutout for the cr123 cells (rayovac 123s are still from a while ago also.)