Rechargeable 123's For Surefire L4/L5

[guam9092]

Don't know if anybody has tried to use one for both flashlights but can I use a rechargeable 123 in either unit? How good of a throw and brightness will it produce? Plan to use one at night for close up work since I work a midnight shift for a private security company. Thanks.

 

[socom1970]

The L4 and L5 will work on ONE R123 cell ONLY. DO NOT use two R123 cells in either the L4 or L5 as the 8.4 volts or so will fry them. Both only have a max voltage of about 6.5 volts tops. You could use a single R123 in a E1e with the KL4 head which is very popular to do here on this forum. I use this setup and I love it. You can expect about 30 min. of regulation at full brightness, then moon mode out of regulation which will tail off for maybe an hour. You could use a 17500 cell(?) or Pila 168s(or equivalent now) which would give you the same voltage as the R123's (about 4.2 volts max. but with double the mAh capacity which will double the runtime) in both the L4 and L5 which will take the place of two 123 lithiums. If you can find a single cell body like a SF 3P body to fit the KL5 head, you could use the R123 for that too.

 

[jumpstat]

I'd recommend also the 17670 cell for the L4/L5.

 

[defusion]

isn't the L5 the same as the L6, just a bit shorter?
Or is the L5 a C-style head?

If it's a L6 head, it will work with 2x rcr123.
But the 1x 17670 or 1x 168s would be preferable.

 

[Strauss]

The L5 CAN be run on 2xRCR123's. The KL5 is listed on Surefire's website for an LED upgrade for the 9P/C3...which as you all know take 3xCR123's, or 9 volts. I have run 2xRCR123's in both of my L5's with no problems at all, just increased output and shorter runtime compared with a 17670.

The KL4 on the other hand CANNOT take 2xRCR123's. You will fry the head with too much voltage. A single 17670 is your best bet.