Post by: Nick1911 on May 22, 2008, 06:05:21 AM
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?
Post by: K Frame on May 22, 2008, 06:19:09 AM
What I did was replace the bulb with an LED.
Extremely bright, it doesn't just crap out at the drop of a hat like the old one did when the bats went low, and the batteries last for freaking ever now.
Mtnbkr was the one who actually ordered the bulbs; query him for more information.
Post by: wmenorr67 on May 22, 2008, 06:19:56 AM
Still on my first set on Sure Fire brand batteries in one light and still going strong. Of course it doesn't get much use.
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on May 22, 2008, 06:56:06 AM
Perhaps the lithium CR123s have something similar...?
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on May 22, 2008, 06:59:27 AM
I think it's just the nature of the creature. Mine used to do that with the original bulb pack.
What I did was replace the bulb with an LED.
Extremely bright, it doesn't just crap out at the drop of a hat like the old one did when the bats went low, and the batteries last for freaking ever now.
Mtnbkr was the one who actually ordered the bulbs; query him for more information.
The LED conversions are great, if you can find one that fits in your flashlight. Last I checked, they don't make aftermarket LEDs for Surefire Executive series lights like mine or Nick's.What I did was replace the bulb with an LED.
Extremely bright, it doesn't just crap out at the drop of a hat like the old one did when the bats went low, and the batteries last for freaking ever now.
Mtnbkr was the one who actually ordered the bulbs; query him for more information.
You can get rechargeable cr123s and a compatible incandescent bulb for the Executives. They don't solve the sudden-death battery problem, but they do make it economical to always keep the light stoked with fully charged batteries.
Post by: Ben on May 22, 2008, 07:29:47 AM
Post by: mtnbkr on May 22, 2008, 07:37:02 AM
Chris
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on May 22, 2008, 07:48:05 AM
As Mike said, I believe it's just inherent in that type of battery. All my devices that use CR123s go out the same way.
Same for me....My camera just stops working....
Post by: roo_ster on May 22, 2008, 07:59:09 AM
Best dang thing I bought since I bought the Surefire to being with. I go so long between batt changes I can't recall when I last changed them and get 1.5X the lumens.
$10 from Hong Kong, direct to my door!
Post by: hilljack22 on May 22, 2008, 08:35:32 AM
Cough up where you got that LED for $10!
I'm assuming Ebay...
Thanks!!
Post by: roo_ster on May 22, 2008, 09:23:07 AM
There were several vendors, IIRC.
Lemme look & see if I can find the part...
Post by: Brad Johnson on May 22, 2008, 09:37:46 AM
Aren't CR123's lithium cells? If so they will produce full voltage and current right up to the end, then keel over dead without warning. Alkalines, on the other hand, will gradually taper off.
Brad
Post by: Gewehr98 on May 22, 2008, 09:57:27 AM
Post by: roo_ster on May 22, 2008, 10:12:54 AM
OK,jfruser...
Cough up where you got that LED for $10!
I'm assuming Ebay...
Thanks!!
Cough up where you got that LED for $10!
I'm assuming Ebay...
Thanks!!
Hokay, here's the skinny:
I was considering these two:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6090
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6076
I went with 6076
This guy went with the 6090:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=193639&highlight=surefire+6p+led+replacement+modification+reflector
And one of the posters put a video of how he modded his 6P (with the 6090) on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY3bfuxayVw
As a drop-in replacement, neither one allows the bezel to completely screw back on. Some folks just slip on an O-ring to fill the gap, but hte guy with the video did further mods.
And here is the Mother Of All LED Drop-In Mods for the 6P Thread:
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=193992
Good luck. I am happy with my Redneck Engineered 6P.
Post by: zahc on May 22, 2008, 01:20:50 PM
Post by: mfree on May 23, 2008, 03:30:54 AM
Post by: zahc on May 23, 2008, 06:18:49 AM