Surefires & Li-on? & WF-139.

[LightGiver]

Can Surefire lights safely handle RCR123 and/or 18650 li-on batteries? I don't have any particular model in mind yet, I was just thinking about a future purchase. I've been so used to using 18650 batteries (AW) in my TK12 vs having to buy cr123's all the time, I thought it would be nice to have the same convenience in a Surefire light.

Also, I happened to catch the recent thread about the exploding ultrafire 3000mah 18650 battery, charged in conjunction with an "old" WF-139 charger, causing injury to the owner. And I was curious what is the difference between the "old" & new WF-139? As this is the charger I use currently and would like to know if i should be taking extra precautions while using it. (FYI, I never let batteries charge unattended, as soon as the charger goes solid green I remove the batteries)

 

[Echo63]

some surefires are ok with Liions and some arent.
the difference between the WF139 is as simple as testing the voltage with no batteries in using a multimeter, the newer version should be around 5v, and the old one will be around 12ish volts


I know the L4 and U2 are both ok on 17670 batteries
9p and m3 are ok with 2x17500

 

[LightGiver]

Thanks for helpful input! Do you know if the Surefire X300 can handle li-ons? That's at least one surefire light I've got on my definite list, whether it can use li-on or not.

 

[Echo63]

Thanks for helpful input! Do you know if the Surefire X300 can handle li-ons? That's at least one surefire light I've got on my definite list, whether it can use li-on or not.

that one i dont know, but good CR123 are cheap in bulk, from places like lighthound.

 

[15miki15]

btw, what about UltraFire WF-139 charging method? Is pulse charging good or bad for liions?

 

[LightGiver]

Seems I have the newer version, my multimeter reads 4.93.

 

[kramer5150]

E2L-KX2, A2-Incan work fine with 2xRCR123.
The P60L works fine with any 8.4V setup.