surefire and rechargable batteries ?

Hello everybody,

I have a question and this is the place I know I will get the answer. I have a surefire L4 and e2l and I want to go rechargable in the simplest manner possible while also getting the best runtime not modding or boring out my light bodies unless necessary am I better with RCR123 or another option ? Thanks for the advice I know I 'll get the best answer here

Run a 17670 li-ion in it.

Outdoors Fanatic said:

Run a 17670 li-ion in it.

Click to expand...

Yes this is what I'll use to power both the KL4 and KL1 (of the E2L light) heads. Do not use 2xR123a 3.7v for the KL4 head...you'll fry it! Its ok though for the KL1 head.

Wait, they make rechargable 123 lithiums?

eyeeatingfish said:

Wait, they make rechargable 123 lithiums?

Click to expand...

They make rechargeable 123 lithium ion batteries. Search for RCR123. There are several "flavors": 3.0 volts, 3.7 volts, unprotected, protected. Buy the charger that is designed for whatever you get, otherwise they are dangerous and can explode when being charged using the wrong charger.

I am running AW's Protected RCR123 750mAh Li-Ion rechargeable for my SF E1L as well as my HDS U60 XRGT. I just ordered an AW Protected 17670 from Lighthound for my "E2L" when I swap the KL1 head from the E1L to my E2e.

Check out AW's CPF page... http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=97268 or Lighthound http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=167

As it's been said on CPF... guiltfree lumens!

I've been running these 900mah RCR123s and have been very happy with them:
http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2190

Patriot36 said:

I've been running these 900mah RCR123s and have been very happy with them:
http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2190

Click to expand...

Patriot36, how do you find the runtimes using 900mAh? Is there much of an increase from the 750mAh? I was thinking of picking them up but I have two 3.0v RCR123's on the way for my P2D-CE.

Can someone direct me to information on these batteries please?
I am a little lost when it comes to the volt, mAh etc.
How do i know which ones will fit my lights and what volts etc i need?

Volts. vs mAh?

eyeeatingfish, when you look at the specs for lights, you will likely see the type of battery that the light will take, ie. AA, 1xCR123, 2xCR123, etc. Basically, a large number of LED lights these days take advantage of the energy / size ratio of the CR123 batteries which started off being used in point & shoot cameras. Flashlight manufacturers realized that they too could take advantage of the higher voltage and stored energy that the CR123's offered.

There's A LOT more info that you will have to pick up as you go but here are some things to get you started:

Someone once gave the following analogy (maybe on these forums) when explaining Volts vs. mAh... Think of Volts as the horsepower of a car and the mAh as the size of the gas tank.

Also, check out this link: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/

Good luck!

That is a good analogy. Does that mean the mAh doesnt make a difference in output? Is too much mAh going to blow your light? Does mAh hinge on bulb ability?

Hi bouncer, eyeeatingfish,
More mAh means more runtime. Most importantly is the volatage rating of your light emitter whether its Incans bulb or LEDs. Overdriven or underdriven your lights may not be desireble. Make yourselves to the battery section of this forum and research on the various kinds available.

Thanks everyone

I've owned numerous surefires just bought my first quailty led's a couple months ago and very much need to switch to recharchables