SF L1 (& L1 Cree): OK on Li-ion (RCR123A)?

[AFAustin]

Can someone pls. tell me if the current SF L1 is OK on an RCR123A, both as to fit in the body tube and as to compatibility with the circuit, etc.? And, even more importantly, same questions as to the soon-to-be-released L1 Cree?

Thanks.

 

[ja10]

I believe the current generation L1 does not work because of the extra width. I would assume the same for the new version. That is why with mine I moved the electronics to the head and bored out the body to fit a 17670 LiIon.

The L1 is a great light to run on primaries though. I was always amazed how long I would go between battery changes.

 

[luminata]

I am wondering the same thing about the new L1 Cree. But I have to say my own theory or feelings on RCR123s is changing. I used to be of the mind set that Li-ion RCRs were the way to go , the theory being if you use the light at all , when you get home just thow it on the charger and the next day you know you have a full charged battery and a known fixed amount of use available. But lately I have been rethinking things especially with something like the L1. With a RCR protected when the battery is depleted it shuts down completely no warning. also RCRs are around 750ma (even the 900ma rated ones only go about 5 mins more) which is less than half of a primary . I have been caught a couple of times in the dark with a RCR loaded flashlight that cut out due to protection circuitry doing its job. I always carry a spare because of this . In these situations I didnt need the full output of the flashlight , having a reduced output would have been just fine compared to complete blackout. It's not always easy to change a battery when in the middle of doing something else in the dark. Now with something like the SF L1 , new or old, running on a primary , if the battery cannot maintain full hihg output you still have many many hours of reduced low setting out put and then diminishing light after that . So I dont know now, maybe RCRs arent the greatest thing since sliced bread after all. at least not for your EDC ?

 

[AFAustin]

Thanks, ja10 and luminata, for your comments. As to the size issue, I don't have calipers, but it looks as though some unprotected RCR123As I have are no wider than a primary cell, so that is encouraging. And, since we're talking a 1 cell light here, I wouldn't have a problem running it on an unprotected cell.

luminata makes a good point about some advantages of a primary cell. I believe it just depends on how you use the light.

Thanks again, gentlemen, and still hoping for some more comments from those knowledgeable about the L1.

 

[Valpo Hawkeye]

With a RCR protected when the battery is depleted it shuts down completely no warning. also RCRs are around 750ma (even the 900ma rated ones only go about 5 mins more) which is less than half of a primary . I have been caught a couple of times in the dark with a RCR loaded flashlight that cut out due to protection circuitry doing its job. I always carry a spare because of this . In these situations I didnt need the full output of the flashlight , having a reduced output would have been just fine compared to complete blackout.

Agreed 100%. I've also been left in the dark a couple of times and for my L1 it's primaries all the way! I use a 14500 in my Fenix L1T Seoul mod, and I've been left in the dark several times. However, I use my light A LOT at work, so I guess it's the price I pay for rechargability. That's where my Arc AAA-P earns its money.

 

[MarNav1]

I purchased some 17335 Li-ions (green label) from Lighthound that work well. Protected 1000maH 3v. It fits my round and square bodies both. Don't know about the newest L1. I'll do a runtime test and see how long it will go on it.

 

[AFAustin]

MARNAV1, thanks for that info. I'm still hoping a 3.7v RCR123A will be OK, since I've not added the 3.0v cells/charger to my inventory (it is a challenge trying to keep things simple!). Don't have the answer yet, though.

 

[MarNav1]

I'd say it went 45 minutes or so on high. Remember this is an ML1 so it isn't stock. The charger I used is for a 3.7 cell too so it may not have been fully charged either, just haven't gotten around to buying the correct charger yet. My protected 3.7 cells do not fit but I think there are some unprotected cells that do fit.

 

[AFAustin]

This topic is also currently being discussed in this thread: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=166259&page=2

 

[AndyTiedye]

…lately I have been rethinking things especially with something like the L1. With a RCR protected when the battery is depleted it shuts down completely no warning. also RCRs are around 750ma (even the 900ma rated ones only go about 5 mins more) which is less than half of a primary . I have been caught a couple of times in the dark with a RCR loaded flashlight that cut out due to protection circuitry doing its job. I always carry a spare because of this . In these situations I didnt need the full output of the flashlight , having a reduced output would have been just fine compared to complete blackout.

Would running a single 17670 accomplish that?
It does in other 2x123 lights I have.
Would it fit?

 

[AFAustin]

The L1 is sized for only 1xCR123A, so a 17670 wouldn't fit.