WA1111 Envelope failure X2!!!

I just blew 2 WA1111's this morning. Both were envelope failures. One bulb had approx 3 hrs on it, the other less than 5 minutes. I use nitrile gloves when changing them so as to not get foreign substances on them. Am I missing something here? Is this typical with these bulbs?



They are run in a 2C by 2 IMR26500's.

I'm no expert, but I too, have blown a couple of WA1111 bulbs with IMR cells. Those bulbs don't seem to take the IMR cells well. After switching to protected lithium ion cells I have had no problem.

(Edit) I now keep a bottle of alcohol handy to wipe the bulb whether I touch it or not.

WA 1111 flashes at 8.3v.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...ulb-Tests-Updated-8-27-2010-(Newer-Info-Added)

I think I've only blown one 1111 bulb with IMRs (26650s) and that was a simple poof off of a 4.24v per cell charge (my WF-188 chargers do this for some reason) with no soft start. Using a soft start I've never had a problem. For no soft start with a hot charge I learned to drop the resistance mods altogether which seems to work really well. With a normal 4.17ish charge (using better chargers) this doesn't seem to be necessary.

One question....did you by chance bend or stress the prongs in any way...perhaps when centering the bulb? I popped a bulb due to this once (can't remember if that was a 1111 or not.)

Honestly, my experience with the 1111 bulb is that it's a tough little booger.