Surefire Lx2 on rechargeables?

[bigchelis]

The LX2 on RCRs 3.7V is flickering until the voltage drops.

I think this might cause a permanent problem after a while!

what do you think?

I just had to mention that I had a similar experience with my E1b and 3V li-on rechargebles. It was flickering too, but in my case at the end it was the cells I had got off ebay:ohgeez:

Clean the contacts and try a new high quality cell. I stick with IMR 16340's or AW CR123's. Of course you can try those AW 3.2V's too.

Good luck,
bigC

 

[MR.A]

i have both AW 123 3.7V and AW lifepo4 3.0V

No problem with lifepo4 3.0V

 

[civic77]

I just tried AW RCR123A's fresh off the charger last night in my new LX2 and it works fine, same brightness as primaries and no problems so far. I have ran li-ions in my E2DL with no problems as well.

 

[manitoe]

I just tried AW RCR123A's fresh off the charger last night in my new LX2 and it works fine, same brightness as primaries and no problems so far. I have ran li-ions in my E2DL with no problems as well.

Same here. After reading this thread I finally worked up the courage to try some AW RCR123A's in my LX2. It puts out the same brightness to the naked eye and there's not even the slightest hint of any "flickering" as mentioned by someone in this thread. This is great, since the "primary only" thing of the LX2 seemed like it's only drawback to me.

 

[rocled]

I just tried AW RCR123A's fresh off the charger last night in my new LX2 and it works fine, same brightness as primaries and no problems so far. I have ran li-ions in my E2DL with no problems as well.

I want to buy a new E2DL or LX2, but I would like to know if a 2010 model will be the same thanks!

 

[civic77]

If your buying the light brand new, my guess would be it should be fine. I don't think Surefire has changed the circuitry for the LX2 and E2DL since the LX2 first came out.

The older 120 lumen version of the E2DL ran a much higher risk of burning out from what I can gather. I personally haven't seen any reports on the LX2 burning out on RC123A (although there may be cases). The 3 Surefire E2DL/LX2's that I have AW's in have had no issues although sounds like MR. A might have problems with his LX2.

 

[crizyal]

Since this thread is pretty old I want to re-ask the question. Has anyone had issues running the LX2 on rechargeables after years of use?

 

[Sammy_boy]

I'd be interested to hear people's experiences too with Surefires and RCR123s. I had an E1B Backup for a while, loved the light but it I was too scared to try my 3.7v RCRs in it. I tried LifePo4 3v cells in it but it flickered on those (reading this thread it could've been the cheap Ebay cells I was using?) but not on primaries. In the end I reluctantly sold the E1B on as I couldn't justify buying primaries all the time for it, non rechargeable CR123s seem to be quite expensive and hard to find in the UK, even online :(

I'd love another SF light but only if it would take rechargeables without any issue or risk of damaging the light by using them.

 

[WarriorOfLight]

You can use the LX2 and E1B with this cells:
http://www.surefire.com/batteries/2-pack-lfp123-rechargeable-batteries.html

Both works with the LFP123A cells. Only the E1B flickers on low if the cells are fresh loaded. After using it 1-2 minutes on high the low flickering is away.

 

[Sammy_boy]

They look ideal - but out of stock for at least 4 weeks :( Also can't see anything about shipping to the UK - will see if they are available on Ebay.

One quick question - would they work OK in my Pila charger - I'm presuming so?

 

[GunnarGG]

I'm not found of 2 x li-ion so I have tried 17670 in my new E2DL and it works fine.
Slightly less bright than 2x123 but hardly noticible.
What might be a problem is fit.
Out of my 3 AW 17670 only one fit and that is pretty tight.
I haven't run it down in voltage yet so I don't know how it behaves when the cell is getting low.

Surefire has their own rechargeable cells now and those should work one would think.

 

[BIGLOU]

Dont hold your breath on the SF rechargables. It been saying 4 weeks for about 5 months.

 

[Viking]

They look ideal - but out of stock for at least 4 weeks :( Also can't see anything about shipping to the UK - will see if they are available on Ebay.

One quick question - would they work OK in my Pila charger - I'm presuming so?

No you have to buy a charger that will handle LFP batteries.

I use some tenergy LFP batteries ( same type of batteries , but another brand ) in my LX2 , no flickering at all.

 

[WarriorOfLight]

They look ideal - but out of stock for at least 4 weeks :( Also can't see anything about shipping to the UK - will see if they are available on Ebay.

There are alos LiFePo4 cells on ebay available, Ternergy may be one of the better cells. The Surefire / K2 Energy cells, are sometimes on ebay available, but not for interationals due to the USPS shipping restriction of LiIon cells.

One quick question - would they work OK in my Pila charger - I'm presuming so?

You definatedly need an LiFePo4 capable charger, also available for a few bugs @ ebay.

 

[WarriorOfLight]

Dont hold your breath on the SF rechargables. It been saying 4 weeks for about 5 months.

Shot time ago the charger / battery kit and also the battery kit was not stated as "not available" @ SF website. Seems you are always looking at the wrong moment :)

 

[Sammy_boy]

Thanks for the replies and advice, it's the 3 volt lithium rechargeables I'm wanting to charge in my Pila charger rather than the LifePo4 ones. A local branch of an electronics chain (Maplin) have a 3v lithium rechargeable battery, also a charger that comes with the same charger. Can i just get the battery and charge it in the Pila or do I need the charger too?

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[Viking]

it's the 3 volt lithium rechargeables I'm wanting to charge in my Pila charger rather than the LifePo4 ones.

I fully understand your confusion.
The 3 volt lithium rechargeables real name is in fact LifePo4 , also called LFP and lithium iron phosphate. Their voltage is lower than the Lithium-Ion batteries the pila charger is designed for.


So you have to get another charger.

 

[Sammy_boy]

Thanks for the info Viking, I hadn't realised that - so if a 3v cell says it's lithium it is in fact an LFP cell? I'll get myself one of those chargers from Maplin and a couple of those 3v cells.

Sorry, think I've dragged this slightly off topic - in an attempt to get it vaguely back on track, I've just got myself an E1b off the Marketplace. I've seen conflicting posts in this thread that 3.7v cells will and won't work in the E1b (and the LX2) - can I run it off these cells with no long-term damage to the light?

 

[WarriorOfLight]

I've just got myself an E1b off the Marketplace. I've seen conflicting posts in this thread that 3.7v cells will and won't work in the E1b (and the LX2) - can I run it off these cells with no long-term damage to the light?

Last weekend I tested the E1B and LX2 with the Surefire LFP123A rechargables. Both lights work, but if the cells are fresh from the charger the E1B flickers on low. If you are using the light ~1-2 minutes on high the flickering will vanish since the cell voltage is a little lower. The E1B is a light that is not perfect for rechargable cells.
Both lights will not damaged in any way.

 

[Sammy_boy]

Aren't the SF RCRs 3.2v rather than 3.7 though? I'm wondering in case I had to use one of my standard RCRs in a pinch.

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