Solarforce battery problems

I have a quit question for the Solarforce aficionados...

Someone I know just got a 1 cell 123 Solarforce light in. He couldn't get it to work. He then discovered that it is taking more power than 1 primary 123 cell can produce... But, a rechargeable 123 battery will apparently work.

Here are his comments:

Well, I figured out the problem. I used a ac/dc converter and applied a 3 volt signal to the light and -nothing-. I stepped it up to 4vdc and voila'.........works like a charm. A trip to the local batteries plus to find some rechargeable 123's and they're not selling them anymore because the higher V output would fry standard bulbs. I just ordered up the 18650 body form the same supplier and I should be able to use my 19650 rechargeables with no further issues.

Click to expand...

I too am awaiting a Solarforce LED light that is just a 1 cell light (it's that one with the killer bezel on it). Anyway - I am wondering if his is an anomaly, or if this is how all of their 1 cell lights work....

Mine only works with rechargables.

Man, that sucks. I think I saw a rechargable only version, but this light wasn't listed that way.

The drop-in is probably a 3.7v drop-in, so a CR123A priamry will not power it - only a rechargeable Li-Ion cell will.

Yes, I just figured that out after some googling...

Is this th best deal on these:

The battery (I'd get 2 - as I assume the charger needs 2 at a time to charge):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Solarforce-CR12...ultDomain_0&hash=item414ad90cc5#ht_2324wt_907

And the charger:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Solarforce-CR12...ultDomain_0&hash=item414ad90d97#ht_2282wt_907

Your friend is a pretty smart trouble-shooter, he'd be at home here:thumbsup:

My guess would be that he has received an L2m with a 3.7-8.4 volt LED module in it....
The proper LED module for the L2m is the 0.8-4.2 volt LED module, this module will work very well with (1) CR123A battery.
Hope this helps....
- Jim Douglas II
Solarforce-USA

Well, as I think I will have the same problem, as I am awaiting delivery of a similar 1 cell Solarforce - any better options on the charger and battery? Admittedly, I didn't plan on buying this, so I'm trying to stay on the cheap...

My three Solarforces have the low voltage dropins fitted ... These are available on Ebay for £8-30 including delivery ... I prefer the three mode ones as I don't need the strobe and SOS of the five mode ... One of my Solarforces has a single mode fitted so my Wife can use it without messing about with changing modes.

If you use the longer body , then two CR123s will fit and your original dropin will work ... I only use 18650 batteries in mine and I get two and a half hours on the high mode.
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I just went ahead and ordered 1 battery and a nano charger.