Surefire E2DL -BK LED Best Rechargeable Batteries

[Padron]

I tried searching and wasn't able to determine what is the best battery to use in the E2DL LED Defender?

Can 3.6 / 3.7 batteries be used? Is there a 1 cell alternative?

Thanks in advance for the suggestions / recommendations

 

[Padron]

Well,

Can the flashlight even take rechargeables?

 

[mdocod]

Hi Padron,

Welcome to CPF

--

Did you check the threads of interest?

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=133440

--

This may help: but it isn't conclusive at this time... need more feedback to make a more solid recommendation. Most of the people who buy these lights don't plan on using rechargeable cells, people are learning to buy 18650 compatible lights if they want a li-ion rechargeable light, which surefire does not offer....

L2, L4, L5, E2L, E2D LED, (modern cree/seoul versions)
Battery Size: 2xCR123
Regulation Type: buck
Recommended Input Voltage Range: 3.8-6V (possibly up to 9V)
Recommended Rechargeable option: haven't decided what to recommend yet.
Rechargeable alternatives:
1. 1x 3.7V protected 17670 will fit some bodies and run with diminishing output through the run, plenty of runtime.
2. 1x 3.7V protected 14670 will fit in any of them and run with diminishing output through the run, good runtime.
3. 2x 3.0V LiFeP04 RCR123s
4. 2x 3.0V "voltage regulated" 3.0V protected LiCoO2 RCR123s
5. I'm still trying to search out the truth on the 9V maximum input voltage here, some people seem to be running some of these on a pair of 3.7V RCR123s, which for a buck-regulated light would be the best option to maintain steady output while having respectable runtime.
*SF battery tubes have pretty tight tolerance, not all RCR123/17670s will fit well. No guarantees. 14670s are the alternative to boring in this case.

(from: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201375 )


Eric

 

[Padron]

Thanks Eric for the welcome and the great info! :thumbsup:

 

[Saganesque]

Hi Padron,

Welcome to CPF

--

Did you check the threads of interest?

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=133440

--

This may help: but it isn't conclusive at this time... need more feedback to make a more solid recommendation. Most of the people who buy these lights don't plan on using rechargeable cells, people are learning to buy 18650 compatible lights if they want a li-ion rechargeable light, which surefire does not offer....

L2, L4, L5, E2L, E2D LED, (modern cree/seoul versions)
Battery Size: 2xCR123
Regulation Type: buck
Recommended Input Voltage Range: 3.8-6V (possibly up to 9V)
Recommended Rechargeable option: haven't decided what to recommend yet.
Rechargeable alternatives:
1. 1x 3.7V protected 17670 will fit some bodies and run with diminishing output through the run, plenty of runtime.
2. 1x 3.7V protected 14670 will fit in any of them and run with diminishing output through the run, good runtime.
3. 2x 3.0V LiFeP04 RCR123s
4. 2x 3.0V "voltage regulated" 3.0V protected LiCoO2 RCR123s
5. I'm still trying to search out the truth on the 9V maximum input voltage here, some people seem to be running some of these on a pair of 3.7V RCR123s, which for a buck-regulated light would be the best option to maintain steady output while having respectable runtime.
*SF battery tubes have pretty tight tolerance, not all RCR123/17670s will fit well. No guarantees. 14670s are the alternative to boring in this case.

(from: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201375 )


Eric

Thanks for looking into this. Is there any significant fire danger with 14670s at this point? I don't know my way around the electronics very well. I do notice that my Surefire E2DL Led Defender seems to burn through 2xCR123s pretty fast, at least for maximum output. I'd like to have a safe and reasonably effective rechargeable alternative.

 

[mdocod]

As for the safety issue, I would rate the safety of various cells you could use in this light in the following order..

From most dangerous to least dangerous:

1. 2xCR123 primary cells. <Consistently prove to have the highest rate of reported fire/explosion.
2. 2x3.0V "voltage regulated" LiCo RCR123s. *
3. 1x3.7V protected 14670 LiCo *
4. 2x3.0V LiFePO4 RCR123s

*Provided the cells are charged and discharged in accordance with manufacture recommendations.

A rechargeable LiCo cell, can be more dangerous than CR123 primaries if used incorrectly, but as far as "random incidences" that are beyond the control of the user, CR123s are much more likely yo

If you use a quality charger, like a Pila IBC, and make a point to keep track of usage over the years and retire the 14670 after a few years (or when the cell will no longer hold above 4.0V resting after a charge), then it should be very safe overall. There are lots of other things you can do to further improve safety and improve the life of the cell, but I'll leave it at that for now

LiFePO4 cells are about as safe as any consumer NIMH cell or the like. Problem is, their capacity is about 25% of a regular CR123, so runtime really stinks with them.

Eric

 

[Navin323i]

Hi,

I'm new here and just received my Surefire E2DL-BK LED flashlight today.

I stumbled upon this site and this thread when doing a Google search on the E2DL-BK and had a question about what I read in this thread, specifically:

1. 2xCR123 primary cells. <Consistently prove to have the highest rate of reported fire/explosion.

Sorry I'm a bit of a noob here but are the 2xCR123 primary cells the batteries that came with my Surefire flashlight? The LAST thing I'd want would be to have a flashlight with batteries that put my family at risk in terms of safety.

Also what is meant by "primary" cells? Are there secondary cells too?

Thanks,
Navin

 

[mdocod]

Hi,

I'm new here and just received my Surefire E2DL-BK LED flashlight today.

I stumbled upon this site and this thread when doing a Google search on the E2DL-BK and had a question about what I read in this thread, specifically:

1. 2xCR123 primary cells. <Consistently prove to have the highest rate of reported fire/explosion.

Sorry I'm a bit of a noob here but are the 2xCR123 primary cells the batteries that came with my Surefire flashlight? The LAST thing I'd want would be to have a flashlight with batteries that put my family at risk in terms of safety.

CR123 primaries are what SureFire uses in all of their non-rechargeable flashlights, and is what is included with your E2DL. In looking at the grand scheme of things, the odds of having a CR123 explode on you is low (risk of getting in a car accident is much higher), but you should be aware that it can happen, and is more likely to happen on multi-cell lights. You can reduce your risk substantially by sticking to quality USA made CR123s, like the SureFire brand of cell. However, be aware that even SureFire cells have exploded before.

Best thing you can do is know what to do in the event of something happening. If you notice your light making sizzling sounds or vibrating or anything weird like that, toss it away from you OUTSIDE if possible (do not waste any time though, if it can't be tossed outside like NOW, then just get it away from you as quickly as possible, we've seen examples of tailcaps shot off like bullets and lens glass exploded outward with enough force to dig deep into flesh). Poisonous gases will follow, do not breath them. If it happens in doors then you are sort of in a bind as you will need to decide between whether or not to breath toxic (possibly lethal) gases, or prevent fire from spreading to the rest of the home. Lithium metal fires are practically impossible to put out, you just have to let them run their course usually. Problem is they generate their own oxygen during a burn, so it's hard to "snuff" them out. If you breathe the gas or get residue on you, you'll want to take a trip to the hospital and tell them you suspect hydrofluoric acid poisoning. Especially if you fall ill after the incident.

With that said, there are thousands of people on this forum who use them, and probably millions of them in use around the world in tactical flashlights, and they aren't exactly making news headlines as "deadly killers."

Also what is meant by "primary" cells? Are there secondary cells too?

Thanks,
Navin

primary = non-rechargeable
secondary = rechargeable

Welcome to CPF

Eric

 

[Navin323i]

CR123 primaries are what SureFire uses in all of their non-rechargeable flashlights, and is what is included with your E2DL. In looking at the grand scheme of things, the odds of having a CR123 explode on you is low (risk of getting in a car accident is much higher), but you should be aware that it can happen, and is more likely to happen on multi-cell lights. You can reduce your risk substantially by sticking to quality USA made CR123s, like the SureFire brand of cell. However, be aware that even SureFire cells have exploded before.

Best thing you can do is know what to do in the event of something happening. If you notice your light making sizzling sounds or vibrating or anything weird like that, toss it away from you OUTSIDE if possible (do not waste any time though, if it can't be tossed outside like NOW, then just get it away from you as quickly as possible, we've seen examples of tailcaps shot off like bullets and lens glass exploded outward with enough force to dig deep into flesh). Poisonous gases will follow, do not breath them. If it happens in doors then you are sort of in a bind as you will need to decide between whether or not to breath toxic (possibly lethal) gases, or prevent fire from spreading to the rest of the home. Lithium metal fires are practically impossible to put out, you just have to let them run their course usually. Problem is they generate their own oxygen during a burn, so it's hard to "snuff" them out. If you breathe the gas or get residue on you, you'll want to take a trip to the hospital and tell them you suspect hydrofluoric acid poisoning. Especially if you fall ill after the incident.

With that said, there are thousands of people on this forum who use them, and probably millions of them in use around the world in tactical flashlights, and they aren't exactly making news headlines as "deadly killers."



primary = non-rechargeable
secondary = rechargeable

Welcome to CPF

Eric

Thanks Eric!! I appreciate your time in responding back with such a great and detailed post and I appreciate the welcome too. Thanks bro. :twothumbs

 

[Saganesque]

As for the safety issue, I would rate the safety of various cells you could use in this light in the following order..

From most dangerous to least dangerous:

1. 2xCR123 primary cells. <Consistently prove to have the highest rate of reported fire/explosion.
2. 2x3.0V "voltage regulated" LiCo RCR123s. *
3. 1x3.7V protected 14670 LiCo *
4. 2x3.0V LiFePO4 RCR123s

*Provided the cells are charged and discharged in accordance with manufacture recommendations.

A rechargeable LiCo cell, can be more dangerous than CR123 primaries if used incorrectly, but as far as "random incidences" that are beyond the control of the user, CR123s are much more likely yo

If you use a quality charger, like a Pila IBC, and make a point to keep track of usage over the years and retire the 14670 after a few years (or when the cell will no longer hold above 4.0V resting after a charge), then it should be very safe overall. There are lots of other things you can do to further improve safety and improve the life of the cell, but I'll leave it at that for now

LiFePO4 cells are about as safe as any consumer NIMH cell or the like. Problem is, their capacity is about 25% of a regular CR123, so runtime really stinks with them.

Eric

Yes, thanks for the great info!

 

[slayergut]

Sorry to dig an old thread out,but i dont want to start a new thread.
Is it confirmed that the E2DL can use 2xLiFe 3.0v cells without damage to the electronics?I know there may be warranty issues,but that aside,will there be any other problems,or will it be safe to use them without damaging the light?