So I have had an E2e for about 6 months. I love the light, it's come in handy numerous times. But, one thing troubles me - the way in which the batteries die.
I'm use to mag-lights. In a mag light, when the batteries start to get weak, the light deteriorates and yellows. On my surefire, Ive gone through two sets of batteries. Both times the batteries have died, there has been *no* indication that they were even getting weak. Yesterday, I was investigating the attic of a house I'm thinking about buying, and had the light on for ~5 minutes. The light was bright, clear and strong. I shut it off, and went somewhere else in the house - when I tried to use the light again - NOTHING! Not even a hint of life in the filament. Honestly, it was like the bulb burned out, but it's fine.
I investigated. A flashlight that I can't depend on is useless to me. I fired up my power supply to 5.7 volts and tested the bulb - it lit up fine. I then tested the batteries - about 2.83 volts each. Low, but you'd think that *somthing* would happen. I then tried a current test - I set up a direct short circuit through a reliable ammeter - 0.01 Amps.
Has anyone else experienced this failure mode for surefire batteries? FWIW, the batteries are SureFire brand, as is the flashlight. What the heck SureFire? Is there some kind of thermal fuse? Do other brand 123a's act differently, or is this normal?
