Surefire set shirt on fire...batteries????

[methos_tj]

Got an e-mail from co-workers and thought I would share it here. IMHO I would bet the cause was the batteries purchased not the surefire light. Either way just be cautious and on your toes...luckily this Trooper was not injured too badly... (e-mail edited to take out personal info)

On the past Saturday night 03/01/2008, Schuylkill Haven Station patrol member Trooper ####, was assisting at a fatal crash where his flashlight was in use @ the scene during very cold weather taking measurements until the lithium batteries failed and the flashlight went out. Nothing out of the ordinary thus far…

The dead light was on Trooper ####'s gun belt for over an hour, possibly hour and one half, until he returned to station @ 2300 hours and was making copies of fatal crash photos in the clerk’s office. Trooper #### heard a loud pop and fully believed that his sidearm had discharged in the holster due to the noise and the heat he was feeling on his side…but the above flashlight was actually the cause. The light had actually exploded and set Trooper ####'s shirt ablaze.

I would not want to think what could have happened, should Tpr. ### been @ a gas pump when this incident took place. The lithium batteries are labeled “WF,” and were purchased on line by Tpr. ###.

Just FYI, the Trooper here was using the Surefire C2 flashlight...I searched these batteries online and had no problem finding them. Double think saving that extra buck or 5.:D

Mods if you know a way I can post them from an e-mail, please advise.

Be safe!

[DelC]

. . . Mods if you know a way I can post them from an e-mail, please advise. Be safe!
I'm not sure what you're asking, but if they have a photo of them on line; right click the photo and you should be able to bring up a little window with "Properties" at the bottom of the little window. Click on "Properties" and this will give the web address of the photo. You can then enter the web address in an email as an image or on this message board as an image.

I hope that answers your question.

[krellum]

I used to have a Surefire light in a cordura sheath - the kind that had a flap that snapped over the top of the light. It somehow pushed down on the light enough to illuminate it via the tail cap and it ended up partially melting the cordura. They can definitely become hot enough to a problem.

I also remember a memo some time back (might have even been posted here somewhere) about a BP Agent who had some kind of discharge involving loose ammo and lithium batteries in a duty bag - ? Anyone recall that?

k

[esfs]

Happened to my First Sgt while in his hooch...light died during use, he set it down next to the rack and woke up later to a small flame illuminating the bunk. IIRC, juice is still flowing to the filament itself even though there's not enough to actually power the light. After a while, this steady, low-grade juice will cause everything to overheat and pop. Shouldn't have any problems if you actually turn the light to the OFF position once the batteries die. Then again, I only made it through 2 semesters as an electrical engineer, so anyone with a better theory is much appreciated.

[dforeigner]

I used to have a Surefire light in a cordura sheath - the kind that had a flap that snapped over the top of the light. It somehow pushed down on the light enough to illuminate it via the tail cap and it ended up partially melting the cordura. They can definitely become hot enough to a problem.

I also remember a memo some time back (might have even been posted here somewhere) about a BP Agent who had some kind of discharge involving loose ammo and lithium batteries in a duty bag - ? Anyone recall that?

k

Is this the one that happened during a muster meeting and the rounds began to go off, weapons were drawn, etc? If it is, I believe it was somewhere in CA.