Was using it today and it went very dim, I thought the batteries were going dead. I shut it off and set it off to the side. About 2 hours later I heard a very loud crack and the smell of something burning. I turned off my main breaker in the breaker box thinking it was an electrical problem, mainly due to the smell. After about a 20 minute search I found the end of the surefire, the side with the on/off switch, was tore open, blew the switch out. Took the 3 batteries out and the one, closest to the bulb, was charred, obviously was burning. It melted the chromed hood, behind the lens, built up enough pressure to blow out the switch. Thank God the switch went and not the body of the flashlight.

What kind of batteries? Surefire CR123? If so, I'd be on the phone with them ASAP.

CR123 are Lithium batteries. Sounds like you could have had a lithium-gas ignition.

Duracell

Were they Duracell primary lithium cells (actual CR123s), or rechargeable cells (RCR-123, 16340)?

Good thing that was not in your pocket!

Primary, not rechargeable.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Were they Duracell primary lithium cells (actual CR123s), or rechargeable cells (RCR-123, 16340)?

I'd contact Duracell, they're good about paying for the stuff their batteries destroy. They bought me a keyboard when their alkalines leaked. They'd likely want to know about the battery anyway, and collect identifying info. Perhaps also report to the Consumer Products Safety Commission?

I wont use anything but Surefire batteries in Surefire lights. Never use chinese made batteries. The Duracells are made in the US. Were they mixed with other battery brands?

Some batteries can thermal if placed in a high-draw environment.

quote:

Originally posted by 08 Cayenne:
Duracell

Picked up my Fenix and found one of the Duracell batteries has leaked, and then swollen. I had to hammer it out. The switch suffered from the leak and didn't work.

Duracell sent a refund for the cost of the light. What was needed was information off the battery (the good until date and a number off the battery). They also wanted to know the replacement cost. I just gave then links to online flashlights.

The only odd part was they used Chase to transfer the money. You had to create and account, then have it sent to you bank account. Otherwise you could get a check in 6-8 weeks.

It was good service. i did check the comments online. Seems most were about not getting the information off the battery.

I am about halfway scared of those CR123 batteries after having read several accounts like this. I've been phasing out flashlights that use them, in favor of ones that use the leaky alkaline AA bateries.

I have 8 Surefire lights for training and have been using Surefire lights and their batteries for more than 25 years. This is the first I have heard of this happening. I am curious as to what Surefire has to say about it

seems to happen when mixing cr123 batteries with different voltages in the same light; fresh and spent / almost spent.

do search site:www.candlepowerforums.com/ cr123 explosion

This is also new to me. I've been using the 123 lithium batteries in flashlights (Surefire, Fenix, and 4Sevens) for over 20 years and never had a problem. I've used Duracell, Surefire, and Nuon (Batteries+ brand). However, I've never mixed brands. I'll have to check out that thread. Thanks.

ETA: Also, if a flashlight starts dying on me, I replace both batteries with new ones.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: henryarnaud,

That's why you always have a tester when running multiple CR123's.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...csd_dcoop_bw_c_x_1_w

Were they all fresh cells? If you put in cells with different voltages, it can cause them to explode.

In order to tell you how long I have been using Surefire lights, I will just say I have a 3P that still works fine. Original bulb.
No problems ever with SF.