Using Unprotected IMR 16340 with Non-Dimming Current Regulated Light?

LED Flashlights – General Info CR123A Flashlights
1

Hi,

I just got a non-dimming current regulated EagleTac TX25C flashlight. The light accepts CR123 and RCR123 - 16340. The operating voltage is 1.8V - 6V which allows 2CR123 but not 2 RCR123.

My quick test with a protected cell 16340 shows the light draws a lot of current and provides constant output until it gets cutoff by the battery’s PCB chip. Is it wise to use a non protected cell like IMR 16340 which can handle high current? Will it over discharge since the IMR cell doesn’t have PCB and the operating voltage is 1.8V - 6V? Do people use IMR cell with non-dimming current regulated light?

2

I can’t speak for everyone but I use non-protected cells all the time in flashlights that have the potential to drain the cells to zero. However, I don’t run these kinds of flashlights for very long, and if you did it would probably ruin the cell. I’ve accepted that risk.

If I were going to use one of these flashlight for say, night hiking, I would definitely buy protected cells.