Succeeded in Scaring Myself Silly

[redware]

My first post. Please take it easy on the ignorant.

I recently purchased a Surefire U2 as a gift for a family member. Knowing precious little about flashlights and working within a relatively short timeframe, I did some preliminary research, found nearly universal accolades, and made the purchase. The gift was appreciated and life was good.

Now, after having done some more research in anticipation of a purchase of my own, I wonder if I haven't gifted an expensive grenade. I had no idea that the batteries these flashlights use (CR-123) detonate with an alarming frequency (if forums such as these are to be believed) and with a truly breathtaking violence.

Yes, I have since read the section on Surefire's website regarding property battery care and handling, but I'm still left with questions:

(1.) After following Surefire's directions (and using their brand of battery), is there anything more one can do to ensure safety?

(2.) I'm all for battery recycling, but what does one do with discharged CR-123 batteries before they get to the recycling center? Toss them in a Ziploc bag?

(3.) Given that I gifted the light to someone I care about, should I offer to replace it with another light that takes less "potent" batteries?

(4.) Is it time to seek psychological help? I'm sure Surefire didn't get to be the successful company it is by dynamiting their customers...and yet I can't shake this concern. Buying gifts should not be this unpleasant! 😀

Thanks

 

[tsmccull]

Relax, the chance that a non-rechargeable will detonate is similar to the chance you'll get struck by lightning. If it occurred with the frequency some of these posts seem to imply, Surefire would have been sued out of business years ago (and cellphones, cameras, laptops, etc., would not be using lithium battery technology). As long as your family member tosses or recycles the used batteries and doesn't try to charge a used-up primary cell, they'll be fine. Tell them to enjoy the light.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Redware,

Welcome to CPF.

Please, immediately call 1-800- I NEED HELP I'M A FLASHAHOLIC... 🙂

Just kidding.

Most of the "issues" with CR123A batteries have been with off brands. Using name brand cells is not a total guarantee against problems, but it reduces the probability to a very low number.

If you are going to educate your friend about recycling batteries, the first step should be to have a sharpie pen in the recycle box. When the cells are removed from the light, mark them as dead with the pen. This way they won't be confused with new cells. Any non conductive container will work to carry them to the recycling station.

The U2 is a great light and I wouldn't replace it. I would suggest that you review the features of the light, and be sure to mention that when it will no longer light up on the highest level, it is time to think about replacing the batteries.

To have an event with a battery there are a few things that have to fall into place. You need uneven charge between the cells. You need heat. And, you need to have an electrical connection while the cells drain below empty and one cell tries to reverse charge the other cell. The other case involves a direct short to the cell.

As the voltage of the batteries fall, the U2 stops working on its highest levels. This reduces the heat and provides a measure of safety. LED's require a minimum voltage to light up so this provides another measure of safety. When the voltage drops too low, things shut off and the connection is broken.

Your friend may think it wasteful to replace the batteries before they are completely used up, but just think of it as an additional safety measure. However, in an emergency you can run the light all the way down. I replace my cells when I can't go beyond level 3.

Good choice for a gift and you should consider getting one for yourself.

Tom

 

[45/70]

Just to add a bit to what Tom said, the most common accidents occur when users mix up their CR123A cells and end up placing a discharged, or somewhat discharged cell with a new, or fully charged cell. While not guaranteed, this is a known recipe for disaster, as Tom explained. Short of this scenario, there is really little reason to worry about the U2, as long as quality cells (made in USA, or Japan) are used.

I would just make sure your friend is aware of the fact that you cannot mix used cells with new cells , and all should be fine.

Nice gift, by the way! :thumbsup:

Dave

 

[csa]

Yep. The cells are as safe as any other normal consumer grade device. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Greg G]

To be safe......talk with the *giftee* and make darn sure it is understood that two fresh cells are put in, are *married for life* and come out at the same time.

If he/she doesn't *get it*, replace their light with a 2AA or single 18650 light.

 

[VidPro]

(1.) is there anything more one can do to ensure safety?

What they said, dont MIX, cant be said enough.

another thing is Hot high running lights that heat battery or bulb items, dont insulate them, there have been a few situations where the light is heating (normally) and nothing at all is cooling it or able to cool it.
Ex: accidentally leaving it on and it and putting it under you pillow, hoping the tooth fairy will turn it off 🙂

If your USING it, and it feels warm in your hand, that means your hand is cooling it some. that is not bad generally. But when it slides under the seat coushin, and is insulated from heat removal, the heat can continue to build up, having nowhere to go.

if it dont operate, that could be an indication of improper battery placement, bad battery, short, or just a disconnection which wouldnt be an issue, generally if it wont operate, find out WHY, or take the batteries out. basically this can apply to every cell item out there used .
Alaklines that are Dead you dont want to leave in a light
Protected li-ion that have died might have reached protection end, and need to be recharged
lead acid that is discharged wont last very long
one of 2 series discharged lithium cells, , , , well you know.

there is a consumer tendancy to dump and run when a light no longer works, put it in the drawer and grab something that does, ok but take the freaking batteries out first, i mean that aint gonna change the fact that it doesnt run anymore.
there is no reason to leave non-operational batteries in a device , cept lazyness, i know , being one of the laziest humans on this planet ;-)

 

[McAllan]

(2.) I'm all for battery recycling, but what does one do with discharged CR-123 batteries before they get to the recycling center? Toss them in a Ziploc bag?

That shouldn't be necessary considered they're practically empty. The risk of a short is also very remote.
If you want to be on the very safe side then just discharge remaining capacity of your cells with a resistor like 5 ohm or so over night to ensure they're 99,999% empty.

I do that when I return bare LiIon cells to a recycling station/box. My lithiums I don't. Haven't had any nasty experience and I even tend to collect all my used batteries in a box till there's a good amount an then return them for recycling. Of all the cells the lithium button cells are most prone to shortening. They're weaker however but no incidents with dose either - and I've not heard of any collection boxes in stores etc. that has gone either.

 

[65535]

I personally think the U2 is actually one of the safest lights around. It has very smart circuitry that prevents even unprotected lithium ion cells from being underdischarged. I personally have had 0 battery issues with either of mine. Very stable and rock solid. Couldn't gift a better or safer production light IMO.

 

[Flashlight Aficionado]

If he/she doesn't *get it*, replace their light with a 2AA or single 18650 light.

Umm... No. The giftee should not get 18650 or any Li-Ion rechargeables. Not unless they are fully versed in how to safely charge them and discharge them. (Obviously it is simpler with a regulated light like the U2) I purposely have not given gifts that require Li-Ion because I did not want to scare the giftees into never using the light. However, rechargeable AA AAA from Duracell would be fine.

 

[Greg G]

Single 18650 lights are a safe bet IMO. That is with using protected batteries of course. I recently gave my uncle a Solarforce L2 with Nailbender drop-in, two AW protected 18650's, and a WF-139 charger. Told him to charge the batteries on a safe surface away from paper, etc., and to more or less babysit them; don't go to bed, go run an errand, while charging.

I don't think I did him wrong.

This light replaces a Surefire G2 that ran on two lithium primaries.

I think he's safer now. With this new light he can't put mismatched cells in.

 

[redware]

Thanks for the helpful answers. After reading the postings in this thread, I've managed to convince myself that the light probably won't wreak havoc on the person I gave it to.

Though as far as I'm concerned, I've got to give more thought to these CR-123 battery lights before purchasing another one.

 

[Illum]

people buy water heaters without thinking of an explosion that takes out a house, people buy TVs without worrying about it overheating and catching fire, people buy CFL lamps without thinking of an overheated ballast, toothpaste is bought without fear of fluoride poisoning, rubbers are bought without a doubt that some may have holes in them.

Each object above has had incidents involving product damages in similar fashion, yet none gets noticed. What about lithiums? cell-phones can explode, ipods have exploded before, laptops have smoked, electric razors have totaled themselves, and yet people continue to buy them, whats one or two lithium cells when you consider that everything around you can and have a non-zero probability that it'll incur damage through some non-passive end-of-life event:nana:

Just as pain sometimes having anesthetic effects, sometimes a reevaluation of all things that could go wrong puts ones mind at peace with his flashlights

 

[VidPro]

Thanks for the helpful answers. After reading the postings in this thread, I've managed to convince myself that the light probably won't wreak havoc on the person I gave it to.

.

far from, , just inform anyone you hand the stuff to how to properly deal with it, takes 3 minutes.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Please, immediately call 1-800- I NEED HELP I'M A FLASHAHOLIC...

1-800-INEEDHE (1-800-463-3343)
I'm pretty sure that refers you to a porno site. All work and no play?