Surefire B90 replacement battery experience

[geepondy]

I received my replacement B90 batteries (Lot CL09) about four weeks ago. I charged and discharged each of them a couple of times and then let one of the fully charged batteries lay dormant for nearly four weeks. The good news is that they seem to run continuously for nearly the stated time. I never got 50 minutes from a charge but I get about 40 minutes or so from these replacements which is what I got with the first batteries when they were new. The bad news is that the one that lay dormant for four weeks would only run about ten minutes continuously before it died. When I then immediately charged it, I got the 40 minutes or so run time. I wonder why that is so. Isn't the nicad chemistry properties such that it should have at least 50 percent of it's charge after just four weeks? Could it be that because there are three cells in the pack, they discharge at uneven rates and feed into each other perhaps causing one or more of the cells to discharge prematurely?

Also I don't know if it's my expectations being skewed or not but the beam does not seem as bright or as white as when the first set of batteries were new. It may be me, I'm not sure. The 8AX was the first real light I purchased. The light output blew me away compared to previous lights. I then purchased E2's. Since then I have bought the PT Surge and the Brinkmann Legend LX. The Surge and LX both have whiter beams then the 8AX (or the E2s for that matter) and the Surge definitely has a brighter hotspot. I can't remember for sure but I thought the 8AX was equally as bright as the Surge and had a wider beam. It still of course has a wider beam but now the Surge's hotspot is brighter.

The bottom line is that this light will not really suit my purposes for an around the household light despite the nice beam characteristics. I need a light that either will hold a charge for a long time or can be left on the charger. I know the Stinger might be an alternative but reviewers have said the beam quality is not like that of Surefire. Perhaps an A2 might be in my future after all.

P.S. Has Surefire ever given an official explanation for not using NIMH technology? I know nicads can pump more current but for a household 100 lumen light I should think the NIMH's would be fine.

 

[Size15's]

I was once told that NiCads are better able to take the abuse of being used to power flashlights. Whether 'tis still true, I don't know.

Al

 

[Gandalf]

Welcome to the wonderful world of SureFire rechargeable lights.

I too has an 8AX. None of the battery packs ran more than 35-40 minutes, and wouldn't hold a charge for even a week. After trying 4 sets of battery packs, all different lot numbers, over a period of many months, I finally shipped it back to SureFire.

A light that doesn't work when you need it, is just a piece of junk. A SureFire light that doesn't work when you need it is just a very *expensive* piece of junk.

The B90 problem has been written obout extensively, BTW.

My Streamlight Stingers, and UltraStinger, OTOH, perform to specs, and will hold a 50% charge after 2 or 3 months, as long as the weather isn't too hot. IMHO, if you want a good, reliable rechargeable, get a Streamlight. I've never been dissapointed in mine. They cost less, and they work when you need them. Seems simple, but last I heard, SureFire still couldn't deliver a rechargeable using the B90 battery pack that was anywhere near as reliable as a Streamlight rechargeable. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[dano]

Moved to Batteries..

--dan