LEDAdd1ct
Flashlight Enthusiast
I researched as much as I could on CPF and on Google, but did not feel that the information out there was quite specific enough to answer this question. So here it is, in all its glorious specificity!
I intend to buy three Inova X5 lights, all in the red LED color. There are several reasons for this, including, but not limited to, cool factor of red diodes, the fact it only utilizes one cell, and the overwhelming consensus that the little bugger is near indestrucible. Two of those lights will receive lithium primaries (one will go in my backpack, and will be given to my father as a gift), while the third will live on my dresser. Powering the dresser light with primaries is a luxury I cannot afford, and even if I could, I would rather use less "stuff." Ego boost, at the least.
This raises the topic of which chemistry to use. There seem to be two lithium type chemistries, a new type, which is purported to not catch fire/explode/eat toddlers, have an extended recharge lifecycle, and *not* have over-discharge protection (LiFePO4), and the higher-capacity, been-out-for-awhile, RCR123A type of lithium ion. I am referring specifically to the type of both chemistries that puts out approximately 3.0 volts DC, and *not* to the type that puts out 3.6/3.7 volts.
From the hours on the web and on CPF, it seems that the following pieces of information are true between the older chemistry and the newer chemistry:
-the newer chemistry holds about half the capacity of the older
-the newer chemistry is safer and ought not to explode/catch fire
-the newer chemistry, as advertised, has many more charge/discharge cycles before cell failure
-the newer chemistry, for whatever reason, seems to lack over-discharge protection
-both chemistries are immune from the "memory effect" of yore
-both chemistries maintain charge with little loss over time (compared to Ni-Cd or Ni-Mh)
-if one discharges the newer, LiFePO4 type too low, it will "refuse" to charge again
-there exist several different types of both chemistries, sold by vendors and brands such as AW, Tenergy, and Powerizer, as common examples
-the AW is reported to have more capacity at the expense of greater battery diameter
-the Tenergy is reported to have less capacity at a cell diameter very close to CR123A primaries
The above summary is a list of what I found and what I remember. I apologize if I botched some things.
So *draws a deep breath*, with the intention of running an Inova X5, with the red LEDs:
a) what is the highest capacity rechargeable cell of 3.0 volts known to *fit* in the Inova X5 tube, what brand are the, and which type of chemistry, old or "new", are they? With this cell, how much runtime have you achieved?
b) is it the case that if I use the "older" 3.0 volt chemistry, in the higher capacity with over-discharge protection, that when the over-discharge protection kicks in, the light will wink off immediately?
c) is it the case that if I use the "newer" 3.0 volt chemistry (LiFePO4), in the lower capacity WITHOUT over-discharge protection, that the light will gradually dim, exhibiting a discharge curve typical of the cell itself (i.e., a long tail effect?)
d) is there anyone out there that has wondered the exact same thing for *their* red Inova X5s, and having experimented and compared various brands, including both of the 3.0 volt chemistries, has arrived at a personal favorite brand and capacity? If so, for what reasons?
e) finally, is there a particular favorite charger used to charge these cells, that is known to be safe and terminate properly?
I greatly appreciate feedback and suggestions from anyone who has faced this problem, and immensely appreciate feedback from anyone with experience using a single cell in the red Inova X5 in particular.
LEDAdd1ct
I intend to buy three Inova X5 lights, all in the red LED color. There are several reasons for this, including, but not limited to, cool factor of red diodes, the fact it only utilizes one cell, and the overwhelming consensus that the little bugger is near indestrucible. Two of those lights will receive lithium primaries (one will go in my backpack, and will be given to my father as a gift), while the third will live on my dresser. Powering the dresser light with primaries is a luxury I cannot afford, and even if I could, I would rather use less "stuff." Ego boost, at the least.
This raises the topic of which chemistry to use. There seem to be two lithium type chemistries, a new type, which is purported to not catch fire/explode/eat toddlers, have an extended recharge lifecycle, and *not* have over-discharge protection (LiFePO4), and the higher-capacity, been-out-for-awhile, RCR123A type of lithium ion. I am referring specifically to the type of both chemistries that puts out approximately 3.0 volts DC, and *not* to the type that puts out 3.6/3.7 volts.
From the hours on the web and on CPF, it seems that the following pieces of information are true between the older chemistry and the newer chemistry:
-the newer chemistry holds about half the capacity of the older
-the newer chemistry is safer and ought not to explode/catch fire
-the newer chemistry, as advertised, has many more charge/discharge cycles before cell failure
-the newer chemistry, for whatever reason, seems to lack over-discharge protection
-both chemistries are immune from the "memory effect" of yore
-both chemistries maintain charge with little loss over time (compared to Ni-Cd or Ni-Mh)
-if one discharges the newer, LiFePO4 type too low, it will "refuse" to charge again
-there exist several different types of both chemistries, sold by vendors and brands such as AW, Tenergy, and Powerizer, as common examples
-the AW is reported to have more capacity at the expense of greater battery diameter
-the Tenergy is reported to have less capacity at a cell diameter very close to CR123A primaries
The above summary is a list of what I found and what I remember. I apologize if I botched some things.
So *draws a deep breath*, with the intention of running an Inova X5, with the red LEDs:
a) what is the highest capacity rechargeable cell of 3.0 volts known to *fit* in the Inova X5 tube, what brand are the, and which type of chemistry, old or "new", are they? With this cell, how much runtime have you achieved?
b) is it the case that if I use the "older" 3.0 volt chemistry, in the higher capacity with over-discharge protection, that when the over-discharge protection kicks in, the light will wink off immediately?
c) is it the case that if I use the "newer" 3.0 volt chemistry (LiFePO4), in the lower capacity WITHOUT over-discharge protection, that the light will gradually dim, exhibiting a discharge curve typical of the cell itself (i.e., a long tail effect?)
d) is there anyone out there that has wondered the exact same thing for *their* red Inova X5s, and having experimented and compared various brands, including both of the 3.0 volt chemistries, has arrived at a personal favorite brand and capacity? If so, for what reasons?
e) finally, is there a particular favorite charger used to charge these cells, that is known to be safe and terminate properly?
I greatly appreciate feedback and suggestions from anyone who has faced this problem, and immensely appreciate feedback from anyone with experience using a single cell in the red Inova X5 in particular.
LEDAdd1ct
. Just check the voltages before you put them on the charger. 
