My sure fire G-2 EXPLODED!!! tonight...

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - My sure fire G-2 EXPLODED!!! tonight...

Posted: 8/5/2004 3:15:04 PM EDT

Ok It WAS a G-2 with a Z-34 shock bezel. This evening while trying to work on my car before a thunderstorm rolled in I was in a rush. When my shop light went out rather than take the time to change the bulb I ran in the house and grabbed my Surefire. I finished working on the car just as the rain came and ran in the garage. I remember turning the light off because I know they get hot. Now I did not look to see if the light was off and I am guessing it was not. About 15 minutes later I Hear a loud POP from the garage and go out to investigate. I find a very acrid smoke smell and what looked like two fried CR123 batteries on the floor. The light bulb is completely gone, shot right out the front. So has anything like this ever happened to anyone else?

IPSC_GUY

Posted: 8/5/2004 3:52:51 PM EDT

[#1]

That's pretty wild, got any pics?

I wonder what caused it?

Posted: 8/5/2004 3:56:01 PM EDT

[#2]

What brand of 123A batteries were you using?

Even if they were not SureFire SF123As, I suggest you talk to SureFire Tech Support.

Please let us know how you get on.

Al

Posted: 8/5/2004 4:25:56 PM EDT

[#3]

tannerite infestation...

got pics

Posted: 8/5/2004 5:05:00 PM EDT

[#4]

Alas no pics just picture the shock bezel with nothing in it and coated in soot. What is the longest period of time anyone has used a G-2 ?

IPSC_GUY

Posted: 8/5/2004 6:01:45 PM EDT

[#5]

Lithium battery failures are not unknown. Some brands have had recalls.

Check the battery section at www.candlepowerforums.com

Posted: 8/5/2004 9:04:54 PM EDT

[#6]

Wow. I have nver heard of something like that happening. Had the storm already hit? Maybe it was struck by lightening.

What happened to the lens? Does the shock isolated bezel have a glass or plastic lens? Is the lens gone as well? Did you recover the bulb assembly? I hope the body is still useable.

Posted: 8/5/2004 10:36:58 PM EDT

[#7]

was the light just sitting on the floor or was it in a pile of junk or tools that could have caused it to come on by pushing the switch. Do you have the P-60 or P=61 bulb? The 61 gets so hot it should not be run more than 8 minutes, but im guessing you had a 60 since you probably used the light more than 20 minutes.

Posted: 8/5/2004 11:04:19 PM EDT

[#8]

whoa!

Posted: 8/5/2004 11:13:58 PM EDT

[#9]

Could it have been water getting into the case & a short? I've never shorted out 2 Li batteries in series to see what happens and don't want to either.

Posted: 8/6/2004 4:59:19 AM EDT

[#10]

There have been several cases of flashlights exploding like this.
In every case that I'm aware of it is with cheap imported batteries.
In fact, there have been recalls of some batteries because of this.

Al

Posted: 8/6/2004 7:51:49 PM EDT

[#11]

Which batteries were you using IPSC?

Posted: 8/6/2004 7:54:28 PM EDT

[#12]

That sucks...I just got one

Posted: 8/6/2004 9:33:23 PM EDT

[#13]

Glock makes flashlights??

Posted: 8/6/2004 9:50:50 PM EDT

[#14]

tagged

Posted: 8/6/2004 11:49:29 PM EDT

[#15]

yikes, tag

Posted: 8/7/2004 12:43:37 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
There have been several cases of flashlights exploding like this.
In every case that I'm aware of it is with cheap imported batteries.
In fact, there have been recalls of some batteries because of this.

Al

Can you recall which ones?

Posted: 8/7/2004 3:59:10 AM EDT

[#17]

When lithium batteries go bad, they release hydrogen gas. Hydrogen is very explosive. You can see where this is going...

Pretty much all of the Army gear that ran on Lithium batteries (and the batteries themselves) came with warnings about how this could happen.

The good news is that SureFire has excellent customer service and will fix or replace anything that goes wrong with your gear. Call customer support and send it back. They'll do right by you.

Posted: 8/7/2004 5:12:37 AM EDT

[#18]

I believe it was the dorcy spyder model

Posted: 8/7/2004 5:28:38 AM EDT

[#19]

It's well known that lithium batteries can explode. The ones that have internal current limiters and thermal resistors are the ones that are not likely to do this even if abused, but a cheaper one that's nothing but lithium cells, contacts, and a case for them are quite likely to burst or explode if they're shorted for any length of time or subjected to a high current draw for an extended length of time.

For safety, buy only top brand name lithium batteries.

CJ

Posted: 8/7/2004 6:25:36 AM EDT

[#20]

Man I'm living in a cave. I didn't know about this Hydrogen "feature" and will stick with a known quality brand. Thanks.

Posted: 8/7/2004 9:37:13 AM EDT

[#21]

See something everyday, don't ya??

Just glad you weren't holding it at the time!

Posted: 8/7/2004 9:45:20 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
See something everyday, don't ya??

Just glad you weren't holding it at the time!

yeah, that would suck big time

Posted: 8/7/2004 8:44:59 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Which batteries were you using IPSC?

Posted: 8/7/2004 11:00:38 PM EDT

[#24]

This thread has got me thinking... is it normal for Lithium batteries to get a little warm to the touch when used?

I noticed this yesterday when I disassembled my G2 after it had been on for about 90 seconds.

Posted: 8/8/2004 2:31:37 AM EDT

[#25]

Yes, 123A batteries will get very hot in use.

SureFire's 12PM put such a burden on the four 123A batteries that they get so hot they shut down (each battery has a thermal fuse). Once they've cooled down they'll work again.
This rarely happens in other models though.

123As can handle heat and cold far better than other common battery chemistries.

Al

Posted: 8/8/2004 7:34:56 AM EDT

[#26]

Crazy!

I'm glad I've always stuck to Duracell's and Energizer photo Lithiums.

Posted: 8/8/2004 9:36:58 AM EDT

[#27]

Try Surefire's batteries, they're less expensive and wont explode!

Posted: 8/8/2004 9:47:51 AM EDT

[#28]

tag

Posted: 8/10/2004 3:07:29 AM EDT

[#29]

Ok
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back the batteries in question are LISUN CR123 batteries. To answer some questions the I am not sure which bulb was in it. there is nothing left of it. The lens is / was plastic and it is in one piece all though it is badly smoked up. I am now thinking thaat this brand of battery may be the culprit. I have not had time to contact anyone about this but I will.

IPSC_GUY

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - My sure fire G-2 EXPLODED!!! tonight...

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