Panic Button
Top Contributor
Posts: 188
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics, Night Vision Optics
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Post by Panic Button on Jun 10, 2019 10:39:31 GMT -8
Hi all,
Within the past couple weeks, the ATN IR light that came with my 4k developed the battery drain problem (bought it last December). My XS2 IR light has had this issue since it was new. ATN is sending me two new lights, might get them this week.
Last January I started using 3.7 volt rechargeables in the 4k light and up until now I haven't had any problems. I can't help but think that using these higher voltage batteries might be the cause of the drain. When checked with no load several days after charging, they are slightly over 4 volts.
The light works fine on all three settings and I only use the lowest power when I use it, which isn't much, maybe five minutes of use each week.
If you are using higher voltage rechargeables, how long have you been using them for, how many minutes a day/week of on time, and have you had any problems?
Since ATN is sending me two new ones and I only use one, I plan to continue using the rechargeables in one and see what happens. If I encounter issues, I might step up and find a better alternative to the ATN stock light, one that's uses rechargeable batteries or can use them.
Cheers, PB
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Panic Button
Top Contributor
Posts: 188
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics, Night Vision Optics
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Post by Panic Button on Jun 18, 2019 14:56:01 GMT -8
Update 6/18/2019.
Just received both IR lights from ATN and both came with the thumb screws for attaching. My XS2 came with a thumb screw but the 4k did not, had to use an allen wrench to remove or install. The thumb screw is a lot more convenient for sure.
My plan was to use the 3.7-volt rechargeables in one of the lights and see if the light gets damaged from overvoltage. To my surprise, both new lights glow in the off position with the rechargeable batteries installed. No glowing with just standard 3.0-volt lithium batteries. Guess I won't be using the rechargeables after all.
It's the same for the one that came with the 4k, glows with rechargeables, no glow with lithiums. I hadn't tested with lithiums before today, so now I'm pretty sure the higher voltage has caused some damage.
The light that came with the XS2 is completely dead, not working at all even with a different end cap installed.
Cheers, PB
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Post by tpop on Aug 19, 2019 14:54:13 GMT -8
I know this thread is a little old but I thought I might reply to help and new scope/IR light owners with this same question about rechargeable batteries in the IR light.
The light provided with the x-sight 4k pro comes with 2 cr123A batteries (3 Volts each) and when connected in series, as they are, they provide 6 volts total. The batteries provided are primary lithium ion batteries (don't recharge these, it's not safe).
I have used a single rechargeable 16650 Lion battery (3.7 V) and the light works just fine at the ranges (short) i use it at. Actually I can't tell the difference between the 2 cr123A and the 16650 on any of lights the 3 power settings.
I have also use two rechargeable RCR123A 3 volt batteries too (to provide 6volts vice 3.7volts). Still can't tell the difference between the types.
yes it's 16650 and not 18650. 18650's won't fit in the light.
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Post by thunnus72 on Jan 10, 2020 17:16:05 GMT -8
Can u guys tell me if I can use scopewhile chargingit?
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martin001
Member
Posts: 6
ATN Products Owned: Night Vision Optics
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Post by martin001 on Jul 1, 2021 0:15:36 GMT -8
Hello P.B. I also use rechargeable RCR123A batteries in my IR850 illustrator. After about 20 uses (more than an hour at a time) the illustrator has stopped working. I suspect after reading your post that using the rechargeable batteries is the problem. The total voltage of the two rechargeable batteries is 7.4 volts. And that's 1.4 volts more than regular batteries.
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pattism
Member
Not what I fathom, but the Truth
Posts: 17
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics, Night Vision Optics
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Post by pattism on Jul 1, 2021 6:32:09 GMT -8
I have been using rechargeable 3.7v (actually ~4.2v fully charged) batteries (2x in series). But being aware of the over voltage, I never use it in it's highest setting, mostly at low setting with a few short periods at medium... So far no issues, but not sure if I'm >20 hours on it yet. At low setting, I can easily see +150 yards... But being this is mounted on a 22LR, I'm not shooting more than 100 yards.
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martin001
Member
Posts: 6
ATN Products Owned: Night Vision Optics
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Post by martin001 on Jul 2, 2021 22:43:29 GMT -8
I never use it in it's highest setting, mostly at low setting with a few short periods at medium. View AttachmentI also use the low setting in 98% of the time. Wen the Light fail, is was on the low setting.
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pattism
Member
Not what I fathom, but the Truth
Posts: 17
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics, Night Vision Optics
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Post by pattism on Jul 3, 2021 2:30:01 GMT -8
Hello martin001 , Oh man, I guess I didn't have the issue because I never stored the light with batteries in it. I just checked it, and yes, with the light off and having the 2x 3.7V (4.2V fully charged) rechargeables installed, the LED chip does slightly glow ! Holly crow, I wouldn't have believed it... "OFF" should be no connection ! ! ! I just did a check for voltage flow though at just the switch portion of the lamp with only 3V applied (normally that would be 6V)... - In "OFF" position, 2.5V goes through
- In 1st "ON" position, 2.7V goes through
- In 2nd "ON" position, 2.8V goes through
- In 3nd "ON" position, 2.9V goes through
I see there are rechargeable 3.0V CR123A (3.6V fully charged)... Are these the ones you were using? Now I'm starting to worry about the battery I'm using for the ABL1000... It's a rechargeable CR2 3.0v (3.6V fully charged). I'm thinking no rechargeables at all should be used ! ! !
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martin001
Member
Posts: 6
ATN Products Owned: Night Vision Optics
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Post by martin001 on Jul 3, 2021 5:55:54 GMT -8
Hi Pattism,
I am using the 3V RCR123A version (3,7V fully charge). I dont no the different between the CR123A which you indicate.
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martin001
Member
Posts: 6
ATN Products Owned: Night Vision Optics
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Post by martin001 on Jul 7, 2021 0:23:01 GMT -8
I sent the defective IR flashlight for repair and I recieven a message by e-mail that the flashlight has been repaired. About the defect and what was wrong with de flaslight is not indicated.
meanwhile I asked ATN service whether the use of rechargeable batteries is possible. It is waiting for an answer. I will not be using rechargeable batteries for that time.
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martin001
Member
Posts: 6
ATN Products Owned: Night Vision Optics
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Post by martin001 on Jul 18, 2021 5:36:58 GMT -8
I sent the defective IR flashlight for repair and I recieven a message by e-mail that the flashlight has been repaired. About the defect and what was wrong with de flaslight is not indicated. meanwhile I asked ATN service whether the use of rechargeable batteries is possible. It is waiting for an answer. I will not be using rechargeable batteries for that time. I have received the repaired IR flashlight back. Included in the box was a warning stating do not use rechargeable batteries! So, that's clear now.
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Post by mikeymike on Oct 2, 2021 12:41:57 GMT -8
I use 3V rechargeable batteries. There are two types of CR123. 3.0V and 3.7V. If the light is broken you can easily repair it by soldering a new led in. a.aliexpress.com/_vZ9DEG16mm 3535 850nm led 3W Screw out the front ring that keeps the lense in. Take out the lense and O ring. Screw off the front of the lamp. Screw out both the black and metal ring so you can access the led SMD board.
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Post by huntpro on Oct 15, 2021 3:39:22 GMT -8
Hi all, Within the past couple weeks, the ATN IR light that came with my 4k developed the battery drain problem (bought it last December). My XS2 IR light has had this issue since it was new. ATN is sending me two new lights, might get them this week. Last January I started using 3.7 volt rechargeables in the 4k light and up until now I haven't had any problems. I can't help but think that using these higher voltage batteries might be the cause of the drain. When checked with no load several days after charging, they are slightly over 4 volts. The light works fine on all three settings and I only use the lowest power when I use it, which isn't much, maybe five minutes of use each week. If you are using higher voltage rechargeables, how long have you been using them for, how many minutes a day/week of on time, and have you had any problems? Since ATN is sending me two new ones and I only use one, I plan to continue using the rechargeables in one and see what happens. If I encounter issues, I might step up and find a better alternative to the ATN stock light, one that's uses rechargeable batteries or can use them. Cheers, PB Exactly the use of 3.7 volt batteries is the cause of the problem. 3.7 volt batteries must not be used!
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Panic Button
Top Contributor
Posts: 188
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics, Night Vision Optics
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Post by Panic Button on Oct 15, 2021 8:57:08 GMT -8
Both of the ATN replacement lights started the battery drain issue almost right away after I got them. I only used the rechargeable batteries in one light so I can't say for sure that the higher voltage caused the problem in the one light since both lights ended up with the battery drain. Now I have four ATN lights with the battery drain problem.
The ATN lights work well for my purpose, short distance of less than 100 feet, but the battery drain problem was a pain because I had to leave the end cap unscrewed. I ended up buying a different light, one that uses an 18650 rechargeable battery and no more problems. If the ATN light didn't have the battery drain, I'd still be using them as they are more compact than this new one I bought.
Cheers, PB
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Post by macgyver on Feb 14, 2022 7:25:16 GMT -8
I just got my sight a few days ago. I installed a new pair of batteries in the light. A couple days later I found this forum and read these posts, so I got curious. I removed the batteries and measured the voltage, I don't remember exactly the value, but it was somewhere around 2.85 volts. I measured a battery from the same batch, and it was over 3 volts. Using the original set, I had in the light, the voltage bounced back to 3 volts, not wanting to waste batteries I used them for a few more tests. I found with the switch off there was a 215 microamp battery drain. My conclusion is these not bad lights but like so many electronic products on the market these days they are never truly off even when they say they are off. Now that I know, I will remove the batteries when not using the light. Now I am going to fix it, so I don't need a stupid Allen wrench to mount and dismount it.
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caniborrowsomeammo
Member
Posts: 16
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics, Night Vision Optics
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Post by caniborrowsomeammo on Apr 8, 2022 20:39:57 GMT -8
I haven't used an 850Nm light in years. I started using 940 when it seemed the varmints seemed to notice, at that time I was running a 1st gen NV. Went to 940 and never looked back. 940s are relatively inexpensive online, most use 18650s. The one I'm currently using is powered by two 18650s and it's good to ~200 yards and the light lasts for 6+ hours on medium. The 850 IR that came with the scope, and the batteries are still in the box.
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beast
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 94
ATN Products Owned: Night Vision Optics, Thermal Optics
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Post by beast on Apr 19, 2022 8:31:00 GMT -8
Almost all of the 850 lights are still drawing on the batteries even with the switch off. Its a defect in the lights. I just turn one of the batteries around and when I'm ready to hunt just unscrew and flip the battery back to its proper position. When done re-flip the battery.
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