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Posted: 7/9/2010 11:09:45 AM EST
Can surefire lights handle the extra energy given by RCR123A batteries?  
RCR123A battery when fully charged is 4.2 Volts.
A normal 123a battery when fully charged is 3.0 volts.
Link Posted: 7/9/2010 11:29:13 AM EST
[#1]
The incans are fine.

Most people have had no issues with the LED models, however you can have issues like "melting".

Thats the response I got when I called Surefire about it.
I have meet several people who use rechargeable in Eotechs, Surefire lights, night vision, etc with out problems.  However many companies recommend against it.
Link Posted: 7/9/2010 12:00:00 PM EST
[#2]
Quoted:
Can surefire lights handle the extra energy given by RCR123A batteries?  
RCR123A battery when fully charged is 4.2 Volts.
A normal 123a battery when fully charged is 3.0 volts.


With LED's it depends what they can handle.  Too much voltage and "poof" there it goes.

And the Li-Ion batteries are constant 3.7 Volts.
Link Posted: 7/9/2010 12:26:10 PM EST
[#3]
OP: The answer to your question is highly dependent on which paticular light you are asking about. Some work with rechargeables and some don't.

Quoted:
The incans are fine.




Two RCR123 batteries will blow a P60.
Link Posted: 7/13/2010 2:05:53 PM EST
[#4]
Go to http://www.lighthound.com// and get a bulb made for these rechargeables.  While you are at it, get a higher power bulb for rechargeables.  Good stuff on that site.
Link Posted: 7/13/2010 2:22:34 PM EST
[#5]
From the research I've gleaned from CP forums, the RCRs are good for using one cell with LED heads designed to run with two 123As.

Running a single RCR with the TVNC E2 conversion and Surefire KL4 for instance. If you try to run either of these heads on an E1 body with a 123A they tend to deliver poorer performance. Then there was talk about voltage regulating and whatnot. My eyes started to glaze over at that point.

Those dudes take their flashlights pretty seriously.
Link Posted: 7/13/2010 5:32:36 PM EST
[#6]
Quoted:
From the research I've gleaned from CP forums, the RCRs are good for using one cell with LED heads designed to run with two 123As.


SF lights cannot be generalized. Some of the older LEDs had drivers that were capable of accepting a wide range of voltage. The more modern lights have narrowed that range to make the driver more efficient.

So again, one must ask about a specific SF light.
Link Posted: 7/22/2010 10:32:39 AM EST
[#7]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Can surefire lights handle the extra energy given by RCR123A batteries?  
RCR123A battery when fully charged is 4.2 Volts.
A normal 123a battery when fully charged is 3.0 volts.


With LED's it depends what they can handle.  Too much voltage and "poof" there it goes.

And the Li-Ion batteries are constant 3.7 Volts.


Li-Ion batteries are not a constant 3.7 Volts.  
Surefire Lithium batteries are 3.0 Volts.
Rechargeable Lithium batteries are typically rated at 3.7 Volts, but when they are fully charged, they run at 4.2Volts and drop from there.  
The only other Lithium rechargeable batteries are rated at 3.0Volts, but when they are fully charged, they run at 3.6Volts and drop from there.
Link Posted: 7/22/2010 11:44:27 AM EST
[#8]
Quoted:
Li-Ion batteries are not a constant 3.7 Volts.  
Surefire Lithium batteries are 3.0 Volts.
Rechargeable Lithium batteries are typically rated at 3.7 Volts, but when they are fully charged, they run at 4.2Volts and drop from there.  
The only other Lithium rechargeable batteries are rated at 3.0Volts, but when they are fully charged, they run at 3.6Volts and drop from there.


RayOVac (Surefire) Lithium's (lithium–manganese dioxide) are not rechargeable and are 3.0V, constant, but some can be as high as 3.25V, this is before being but under load.

Good Li-Ion batteries come off the charger at 4.2V, but are a constant 3.7V.  If you read the side of the battery and the spec sheet, it will tell you 3.7V.

RCR-123/16340's give short runtimes and if you use them in a head that is not rated that high, you will lose it.

Again, swapping out the CR-123's for RCR-123/16340's, is iffy.  Better to mod the light, or to get a light that will work with them.  Better still is getting a light that can work with 17670's or 18650's.
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