SureFire lights with '10 year shelf life batteries'

[Minimoog]

It is not often that I take issue with SureFire - their lights being so good and all. However, the wording on their packaging is wrong I feel. I have two SureFire lights, both purchaced new in 2005 - an E2e and an E2o, and both sealed in the packaging. Both lights were stored in a dry environment with no temperature extremes.

Yesterday I planned to give the E2e to a friend, however on testing it all I had was a dim glow that lasted for around 5 seconds. The E2o when opened was the same - the light lasted a little longer - maybe 10 seconds of yellow light, but those batteries were duff too. The dates on the batteries were 03/14 and 05/14, so well in date.

If the batteries do not last 10 years in the lights, then it is misleading to state that they do as lights may be stashed in emergency kits etc.

I was going to approach SF about this as I feel that the packaging is misleading.

Your input is welcome.

Ian

 

[DimeRazorback]

I have bought Surefire's with batteries that have a lower used by date than yours, that work fine.

It all comes down to a lot of different variables I believe.

Mind you, when I buy a light with older batteries, even if they work, I will replace them with brand new ones.
You just don't know what sort of climate the batteries were in before the light came into your possession.

 

[Mr Happy]

It is the torch that you are buying, not the batteries. The batteries are very disposable items that are just included in the package as a minor convenience. In fairness it has to be said that it is never advisable to stash a light in an emergency kit and leave it there. All protocols require the light to be removed at least once a year and tested, and possibly have new batteries inserted.

Lithium primary cells do have what is known as the passivation effect. This means that after a long period of non-use they can appear to lose power even though they still have a charge. Sometimes this effect can be reversed by leaving the light on for a few minutes. Gradually the passivation might wear off and the light will come back to full brightness. This is something you could try with the CR123A cells you have in those lights.

 

[Minimoog]

Thanks for the comments. I will try them again and see what happens.

I understand batteries being disposable, and indeed always keep fresh cells on hand, but SF are stating the shelf life on the packaging as a 'feature'. While no harm was done with me, I do wonder what would happen if someone took the statement literally and when they came to use the light it did not work - possibly in an emergency situation...

 

[Mr Happy]

In actual fact all CR123A lithium batteries are marked with a ten year shelf life. It is not Surefire specifically that is making that claim but the battery manufacturers in general. As with many claims around batteries, the claim may be true to a greater or lesser extent, sometimes lesser. One just has be be aware of the difference that sometimes occurs between theoretical ideals and real experience.

 

[mfm]

In actual fact all CR123A lithium batteries are marked with a ten year shelf life. It is not Surefire specifically that is making that claim but the battery manufacturers in general. As with many claims around batteries, the claim may be true to a greater or lesser extent, sometimes lesser. One just has be be aware of the difference that sometimes occurs between theoretical ideals and real experience.

It doesn't matter, it is SureFire that specifically states that "SureFire High-Performance Lithium Batteries boast a ten-year shelf life, which means they will be ready when you need them, every time."

If they are not ready every time then that statement is bogous, and so are all recommendations to use 123s for emergency lights. If you still check every year or even every third year then eneloops will be better (75% left after three years, and you can recharge them during your three year check).

 

[Bullzeyebill]

I am writing to the OP. I think that it is a warranty issue. The CR123's did not last even 5 years. Call SF and complain, and I am sure that they will send you some free SF CR123's.

To CPF'ers that have been around for awhile, we know that the shelf life of good US made CR123's should last several years, and possibly 10, when stored unused. Sort of understood by us. Also, we know that storing the CR123's seperate from the flashlight is a good idea, and should assure that there are not any accidental drain issues.

Bill

 

[45/70]

Lithium primary cells do have what is known as the passivation effect. This means that after a long period of non-use they can appear to lose power even though they still have a charge. Sometimes this effect can be reversed by leaving the light on for a few minutes. Gradually the passivation might wear off and the light will come back to full brightness. This is something you could try with the CR123A cells you have in those lights.

In all likelyhood, this is the problem.

I don't really use lithium primary cells much, however I do have some. The only light I use them in, is the one I keep in my car. Not being a regular user of CR123A primary cells, I have witnessed this phenomena occur, as the CR123a cells I have are about the same age as Soundbox's, I purchased them in late 2004, early 2005. They are Sanyo and Panasonic brands.

When I install a "new" (5 year old) cell in my light, at first, output is noticeably dimmer than it should be, but after a few minutes, as Mr H said, they "come back to life". I would imagine that how long this takes, is dependent on the current load, although I'm not sure which would be better, high or low.

If after you run the light for a while, it doesn't restore normally expected output, then I suspect you have faulty cells. Otherwise, your problem is solved.

Passivation occurring with lithium primary cells has been discussed before, here on the Forum. As most people use their lights, an don't let primary cells sit for very long, most of the time, I imagine that is why you don't hear about it very often. As I am primarily a Li-Ion user, when it comes to lithium chemistries though, I have experienced this problem.

Dave

 

[Minimoog]

Right, done some tests and the results are as follows.

One set DID come back to life (the newer set) but the other two just dim repeatedly from dim to nothing in around 2 seconds (tested in an E1e). Both cells the same - even after 20 cycles. I will write to surefire and report what they say.

Thank you all for the input.

 

[Dr Jekell]

"SureFire High-Performance Lithium Batteries boast a ten-year shelf life, which means they will be ready when you need them, every time."

Please note the bold section.

To me the words "Shelf Life" means batteries that are sitting in their original or equivalent container.

I don't think it means sitting in a metal tube with an almost complete circuit.

 

[Size15's]

Right, done some tests and the results are as follows.

One set DID come back to life (the newer set) but the other two just dim repeatedly from dim to nothing in around 2 seconds (tested in an E1e). Both cells the same - even after 20 cycles. I will write to surefire and report what they say.

Thank you all for the input.

If you don't get a reply using email within a week, you may like to consider calling SureFire's Toll-Free Phone: 00-800-7843-7843 (Germany and England Only)
I'm not entirely sure whether this is actually free from a landline though. I've never had to use it.