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Posted: 6/27/2008 10:38:10 PM EDT
I've read about batteries exploding. When this happens is it contained inside the light? I'm thinking it'd suck to be out in the woods and get sprayed with acid and have a 2 hour walk home. OUCH! |
| Only time it has happened to me was with my G2Z (polymer) after it was set down on the bezel while it was 'on'. Eventually heat buildup caused it to KB. Blew the lens off of the light and left all sorts of crap inside. Got a new 'head', lens and all, from Brightflashl;ights and it works fine again but I will say I am happy it was not in my pocket when that happened! Never noticed any acid, though. |
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This topic has been covered in photographic detail on www.candlepowerforums.com Sometimes a CR123A battery can 'vent with flame' (explode I guess I'd call it). The gases released are really quite toxic - hydrofluoric acid (leaches the calcium from your bones), hydrogen cyanide etc - a whole cocktail of nasty stuff you don't want to inhale or be in the same room as. It is a very rare thing and can usually be put down to mixing old and new, or different brand CR123A batteries, reverse charging, over-discharging or short-circuiting, overheating, or moisture induced failures (the inside react violently with water under certain conditions). CR123A batteries should have several safety features that help prevent them turning nasty. Non-USA made CR123A batteries have demonstrate as less than ideal quality (or complete absence) of safety features and overall manufacturing consistency. For example the batteries are crimp-sealed and if moisture gets in through a poor quality seal then I don't want to be holding a flashlight with one inside. Al |
Toxic chemicals aside, anything exploding while you hold it is bad for you. As suggested, go search CPF, and you'll see threads with pictures including bloody bandages, destroyed flashlights, holes punched in walls, and so on. Part of the problem is that good quality tac lights are waterproof and sealed, so they build up pressure until the weakest part gives loose (usually the tailcap but not always). Only use good quality name brand Made In USA batteries to help avoid the problem, and never mix new/used and different brands. Also, LED lights draw less current for a given output and are less likely to go non-linear. Made In USA: Panasonic (OEM for the rest), Streamlight, Surefire, Energizer, Duracell, and others. |
Went tocPF: MAN SOME SCARY SHIT!  I just bought a 24 pack of "marathon" chinese 123s off egay. Think I'll throw them out and only keep one light with batteries in it.
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An option for the cheap Chinese batteries is to use them in a single cell light, or in a low current draw application, like a lower power light. It's the high current draw through mismatched batteries that causes most of the problems. I have a couple of Fenix P2Ds, and they're excellent EDC lights with a single CR123. I put used batteries that are starting to dim from my incandescent tac lights, and get many hours use at the lower settings in the P2D. |
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