16340 batteries in Surefire flashlights

Hey everyone,
The price of non-rechargeable CR123A batteries is very expensive,much more than alkaline batteries.
I saw the new LFP123A batteries by surefire,but the price of those batteries is very expensive so,
can I use 16340 (RCR123A) batteriers in surefire flashlights? (Surefire Fury,G2X etc.)

MT7 said:

Hey everyone,
The price of non-rechargeable CR123A batteries is very expensive,much more than alkaline batteries.
I saw the new LFP123A batteries by surefire,but the price of those batteries is very expensive so,
can I use 16340 (RCR123A) batteriers in surefire flashlights? (Surefire Fury,G2X etc.)

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I'm going to go with 'no you can't' Alex, for $500.

16340s have a nominal voltage of 3.6-3.7v and the other ones you reference, Li-Pos are closer to 3.0v. Regular 123s are 3.2, but under load, they drop a bit.

SF doesn't mention any support on their site, for those two lights, using the 16340s.

Chris

ChrisGarrett said:

I'm going to go with 'no you can't' Alex, for $500.

16340s have a nominal voltage of 3.6-3.7v and the other ones you reference, Li-Pos are closer to 3.0v. Regular 123s are 3.2, but under load, they drop a bit.

SF doesn't mention any support on their site, for those two lights, using the 16340s.

Chris

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OK,thanks,but I didn't understand if you are recommend me to try using 16340 batteries in Surefire flashlights?
thanks advance...
Alpha

Surefire does not warranty the use of 16340 batteries in their lights. These batteries typically come off the charger at 4.2 volts. Some Surefire models can handle it, some can't.

I did this many years ago when I knew little and tried to help a friend. Popped two UltraFire (or was it TrustFire) gray 16340. One became super hot and started smoking. Might have nothing to do with the SF, but that's my only experience with SF and 16340 If I were in the same boat today, I'd give him a few Tenergy LiFePO4 and a MP2 charger.

Brasso said:

Surefire does not warranty the use of 16340 batteries in their lights. These batteries typically come off the charger at 4.2 volts. Some Surefire models can handle it, some can't.

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are the G2X or 6PX models can handle it?



did someone try to use 16340 (RCR123A) with the G2X or 6PX?
if yes? can it tell me his personal experience with this option?
thanks advance..

MT7 said:

are the G2X or 6PX models can handle it?



did someone try to use 16340 (RCR123A) with the G2X or 6PX?
if yes? can it tell me his personal experience with this option?
thanks advance..

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I would run a AW 17670 in those lights. It should fit and no possibility of damage.

Flashlight Dave said:

I would run a AW 17670 in those lights. It should fit and no possibility of damage.

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are you sure? don't 17670 batteries harm the G2X?
whould you tell me your personal experience with this option after you will try it?
thanks advance...

MT7 said:

are you sure? don't 17670 batteries harm the G2X?
whould you tell me your personal experience with this option after you will try it?
thanks advance...

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If you can fit a 17670 in your G2X/G2xPro it will function without any risk to the flashlight. Remember, a fully charged 17670 is 4.2 volts, well within Surefire specs of 6 volts. You'll get good run-times at the cost of some output.
Fit is the issue here, my G2XPro holds Surefire 123's quite snug so I don't think a 17670 will be an option for me.

Up All Night said:

If you can fit a 17670 in your G2X/G2xPro it will function without any risk to the flashlight. Remember, a fully charged 17670 is 4.2 volts, well within Surefire specs of 6 volts. You'll get good run-times at the cost of some output.
Fit is the issue here, my G2XPro holds Surefire 123's quite snug so I don't think a 17670 will be an option for me.

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How much the G2X output (lumens) Decreases with 17670 battery Compared to the output with 2 CR123A? how much lumens lost?
how about 16340,can the G2X handle it? can it harm the flashlight? How is it affect on the flashlight output and runtime?
are there any option of using rechargeable li-on batteries with the G2X without Reduce the output? (it doesn't matter if the runtimes reduce)
thanks advance.

Your best bet would be to use LiFePO4 (or LFP for short) 3.2V RCR123A batteries. Tenergy LFP cells cost $3.05 from BatteryJunction which is about half the price of quality 16340 LiCoO2 (Li Ion for short) batteries. SureFire sells K2 Energy LFP cells, but they are hard to find right now and cost between $6 to$8 each. I get 45 minutes of run time (down to 10% of max output) in my 6PX; see graph below.

Robert_M said:

Your best bet would be to use LiFePO4 (or LFP for short) 3.2V RCR123A batteries. Tenergy LFP cells cost $3.05 from BatteryJunction which is about half the price of quality 16340 LiCoO2 (Li Ion for short) batteries. SureFire sells K2 Energy LFP cells, but they are hard to find right now and cost between $6 to$8 each. I get 45 minutes of run time (down to 10% of max output) in my 6PX; see graph below.

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what kind of battery did you use in this graph? which company is the battery?
which is better option? (option which less affect the output of the flashlight) is it using the G2X with 17670 batteries? is it using the G2X with LFP123A battery? or is it using the G2X with li-on 16340 batteries?
thanks advance...

MT7 said:

what kind of battery did you use in this graph? which company is the battery?
which is better option? (option which less affect the output of the flashlight) is it using the G2X with 17670 batteries? is it using the G2X with LFP123A battery? or is it using the G2X with li-on 16340 batteries?
thanks advance...

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To generate the run time graph I used two Tenergy LiFePO4 RCR123A batteries in my 6PX Pro which is the aluminum version of the G2X Pro. You'll get more light output with the Tenergy LiFePO4 RCR123A batteries compared to a 17670 Li Ion cell. Battery Junction sells a pair of Tenergy LiFePO4 RCR123A batteries plus a charger for $16.75.

Robert_M said:

To generate the run time graph I used two Tenergy LiFePO4 RCR123A batteries in my 6PX Pro which is the aluminum version of the G2X Pro. You'll get more light output with the Tenergy LiFePO4 RCR123A batteries compared to a 17670 Li Ion cell. Battery Junction sells a pair of Tenergy LiFePO4 RCR123A batteries plus a charger for $16.75.

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+1 on this set-up, I've been considering this option for a while.

MT7, only use the charger provided with these cells. Don't use a 3.7 volt Li-ion charger!

Robert_M, Thanks for posting that graph!

Overall it depends on the light.

I've used 2x RCR123 in my 6PX Tactical with no issues giving 59 minutes of runtime. I've also used them in my G2L, and G2ZL with no issues.

If you want to play it ultra safe use the LiFePO4 type cells mentioned here or even better a protected 17670 cell.

Some have reported G2X models do not fit 17670 cells, however most have had no issues with 6PX models taking these.

pinetree89 said:

Overall it depends on the light.

I've used 2x RCR123 in my 6PX Tactical with no issues giving 59 minutes of runtime. I've also used them in my G2L, and G2ZL with no issues.

If you want to play it ultra safe use the LiFePO4 type cells mentioned here or even better a protected 17670 cell.

Some have reported G2X models do not fit 17670 cells, however most have had no issues with 6PX models taking these.

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I've done it too..after 3 month no issue at all..

I bought 4 x LiFePO4 cells from AW and use 2 at a time in my Surefire A2 Aviator.
No problems with the LEDs.
No Problems with the incan bulb.

MT7 said:

are the G2X or 6PX models can handle it?



did someone try to use 16340 (RCR123A) with the G2X or 6PX?
if yes? can it tell me his personal experience with this option?
thanks advance..

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Hi
I have two surefire G2X pro for quiet a while. I have used 16340 the majority of the time, and they work perfectly.
By perfectly I mean that there wasn't any issue with the batteries or the flashlight. I even did drain test,were I used freshly recharged 16340 batteries, with G2X, from 100% charge to almost 0%.
I'm not an expert on flashlights or an electrical engineer, but I'm a mechanical engineer and a flashlight enthusiast. I have a good understanding of voltages and batteries... I do know that 16340 freshly charged have approximately 4.2v and two of them 8.4v, what is substantially superior to 7v of two cr123a.
In my personal experience theres's not any issue using the G2X pro with 16340. I have done it already for a couple of years and even with more extreme and demanding test as aforementioned, there wasn't any problem.
Bare in mind that with higher voltage the flashlights output more lumens, what is good. The trade off is that using a G2X with 16340, the run time decreases to half comparing to standard cr123a. ( what may very depending on the batteries that you use, for referencing I use GTL)
So, with that said my advise is go for it....but in the end of the day the flashlight is yours, so it's your choice. I hope that it was helpful.
Cheers mate

KiwiMark said:

I bought 4 x LiFePO4 cells from AW and use 2 at a time in my Surefire A2 Aviator.
No problems with the LEDs.
No Problems with the incan bulb.

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I've used full power 16340's in my A2. Used them in any Surefire that uses two CR123's. No increase in output; decrease in runtime.

Bill

Robert_M said:

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LiFePO4 is actually one of the best chemistries possible for incandescent lights. The very flat discharge curve of LiFePO4 (flatter even than NiMH) provides almost perfect regulation of brightness. However, if you want to use 3.7V chemistry, perhaps the best option is to use a P60 from Lumens Factory. They sell modules for a number of different voltages, including a single or two 3.7V cells.