Rechargeable batteries in Fenix single cell lights?

[snakyjake]

I've read there are some issues using lithium-ion rechargeable batteries in Fenix single cell lights.

Questions:

What happens when a rechargeable protected 3.7v battery is used? Harm to emitter? Excessive battery drain? Damage to battery? Poor runtime? Poor output? Can't get low output? Too much heat? Something blows or burns up?

Only a problem for the single CR123 lights? Or does this include AA lights too?

From the Fenix website for the L1Tv2: "Use one 1.5V AA ( Alkaline, Ni-MH, Lithium ) battery". Does this mean the L1Tv2 can take 3.7v without problem, or does lithium refer to a non lithium-ion battery?

 

[asfaltpiloot]

Hi Jake.

A few months back i emailt Fenix with the same question(s).
According to there reply we can't use 3.7v (14500) batterie's in Fenix lights.
We'll loose low outputs. The light runs hot and can burn out.
With Lithium AA they mean non-rechargeable lithium batterie's like Energizer.

Hope this helps.
Robert.

 

[naked2]

And not only will you lose outputs, with prolonged use you will burn out the low modes completely. I know this first hand, as it happened to my P2D CE.

I vas VERY disappointed to find out that Fenix's new line didn't include upgrading the circuitry to fully support Li Ions. :thumbsdow:shakehead:thinking:

 

[OCDGearhead]

My L2D will not work at all with the Lion's, and the P2D, as mentioned has only one setting. My only disapointment with the Fenix lights.

 

[zx7dave]

While I usually don't do extended run times (beyond 10 minutes) I have been running AW RCR123's in my P1, P1D, P2D for over a year and never had any issues..guess if you want to take the chance...

 

[naked2]

So you get all 6 modes in your P2D with AWs?

 

[zx7dave]

I honestly only use the default mode, and occasionally the "turbo" mode..those always worked just fine...

 

[Marduke]

There is no P1T model.


But the PD20/P2D will loose low modes on RCR123. If you are fine with turbo only, it still works. After the battery has run down some, you will get the modes back.

 

[savumaki]

I have used RCR since day one (when they came out) in 3 P1's; work great till now.

 

[richardcpf]

I've been using my P2D Q5 for about 3 months with cheap DX li-ions with no problem. I have the white ultrafire charger which charges them to EXACTLY 4.00V. Low, medium and high mode are all the same.

Turbo: 0.75ma
Low: 0.34ma
Medium: 0.35ma
High: 0.35ma

Surprisingly there is very small difference between turbo and the other modes, but this one pulls the double.

 

[Marduke]

I've been using my P2D Q5 for about 3 months with cheap DX li-ions with no problem. I have the white ultrafire charger which charges them to EXACTLY 4.00V. Low, medium and high mode are all the same.

Turbo: 0.75ma
Low: 0.34ma
Medium: 0.35ma
High: 0.35ma

Surprisingly there is very small difference between turbo and the other modes, but this one pulls the double.

I think you got your units a bit off. Perhaps they should be "A" not "mA"??

 

[tsask]

I always thought it was ok to use protected RCR123 in a single cell P2D, P1D CE. After a talk with Trevor at 4 Sevens, I now know it's not suggested. I've been using a RCR123 in both for over a year. You do lose the lower modes but for instant high when you need it, the RCRs do provide guilt free lumens. After my talk with the good people at 4 Sevens I have switched back to primaries in the P1D CE, still using an RCR from AW in the P2D.

 

[Nake]

My L2D will not work at all with the Lion's

You put 2 li-ion (8V) in a light designed to use 3V. You're lucky something didn't fry.

 

[Nake]

I've been using my P2D Q5 for about 3 months with cheap DX li-ions with no problem. I have the white ultrafire charger which charges them to EXACTLY 4.00V. Low, medium and high mode are all the same.

Turbo: 0.75ma
Low: 0.34ma
Medium: 0.35ma
High: 0.35ma

Surprisingly there is very small difference between turbo and the other modes, but this one pulls the double.

I get similar amperage readings with mine and the brightness does seem close between the 3 general modes and turbo. When I check them in my lightbox, the 3 general modes put out about 90lm and turbo shows 145lm. Quite a difference, but the eyes don't see it as such.

 

[naked2]

After the battery has run down some, you will get the modes back.

After 8 mos. of using my P2D CE solely on Li Ions, the low modes stopped working completely, no matter what state of charge or type (primaries, 3V 16340s, or 3.7V 16340s) of cells used.

 

[Ayeaux]

I've started using 14500 LiFePo4's in my L1T, and have had no problems for over a month. Low mode works fine as well. High only runs for 24 minutes though.

 

[Sprocketman]

I have been using LiFePO4 rechargeables in my P1D for almost a year, including the AW's and the Tenergy cells. I get all the modes and no perceptible stress on the flashlight, but the longest run time I can remember was less than 30 minutes.

Both cells put out about 3.3 volts. I just pulled the Tenergy in my pocket out and it was at 3.278, while the others in my charged cell box showed 3,280, 3.379 and 3.328. The LiFePO4 cells in my CPF multi-level light both showed exactly 3.318. (Nice to have a balanced pair!) I assume they drop a little under load. I recharge them from a solar setup and have sunlight coming out of my Fenix.

Your mileage may vary.

Randy

 

[Grateful Ned]

I've been using the Tenergy RCR123a 3.0v batteries in my P1D Q5 and my P3D Q5 nearly every day for over a year, no problems. I get shorter runtimes than primaries, yeah, but obviously RCRs have their advantages. I get all modes no problem. My P3D on turbo isnt actually as bright as my P1D but it's like that on primaries also, I think I got a bad bin or something.

So perhaps the 3.7v RCRs have issues that the 3.0v's don't. :shrug:

Looking forward to picking up a PD20 when I save a few more pennies and doubt I'll see any probs with the Tenergys.

 

[GregU2]

I have been using Tenergy LiFePO4 900mAh protected rechargeables in my P1D for about a month now. All modes work fine and I get over an hour of regulated light on the primary setting. The guilt free lumens are great but you need to have a back up light or an extra battery with at all times. Since they are protected cells, the light shuts off without any warning. Now I usually put a freshly charged cell in my P1D every couple of days and have rarely been left in the dark. The 900mAh Tenergys work so much better than the 750mAh Tenergy unprotected cells.

 

[Sprocketman]

The 900mAh Tenergys work so much better than the 750mAh Tenergy unprotected cells.

Oh no! Off to the Web to buy some.

Randy