Hi..Just Ordered a FENIX PD32...Battery Question

[mikedeason]

I have a ton of 18650 batteries that I use in my 18650 Electronic Cigarette mods so I decided to go for an 18650 flashlight as well.

I ordered the fenix pd32 on Amazon and I am wondering why it says only alkaline cr132a's?

I have a few 3v TENERGY Lion CR 132A's that I use for 6v vaping on my 18650 e cigarettes.

Will they work as well?

 

[mwb01]

The PD32 can take 1x18650 or 2xCR123A

 

[mikedeason]

Yea I know thats what it says but it says ONLY alkaline 132's?

and i have Lions.

Be gentle..im new

 

[candle lamp]

Yea I know thats what it says but it says ONLY alkaline 132's?

and i have Lions.

Be gentle..im new

It works with two CR123A's Lithium battery, voltage 3.0v or one Li-ion 18650, 3.7V.

 

[mikedeason]

ok thanks for the responses...i did read only 132 alkalines but further googling confirmed your responses.

Are 132 Alkalines preferable over Lion 132's? I noticed a couple 132 flashlights that only offer the alkaline batts as accessories in their online stores.

Also, is 1-18650 preferable?

I know with e cigarettes, 1-3.7v- 18650 lasts longer than a 132 but 2 132's provide more v

 

[AaronG]

As far as I know there is no such thing as 132 alkaline. CR123 lithium cells are probably what your thinking of.

They are non rechargable primaries

 

[mikedeason]

yea, i meant 123's.

2-3v/123 lions vs 1/3.7v 18650.

in an e cig the 2-123's give more voltage or better throat hit but the 1-18650 = better runtime.


just wondering how these 2 batt configurations compare in a torch

 

[candle lamp]

yea, i meant 123's.

2-3v/123 lions vs 1/3.7v 18650.

in an e cig the 2-123's give more voltage or better throat hit but the 1-18650 = better runtime.

just wondering how these 2 batt configurations compare in a torch

The nominal capacity of CR123A is 1300~1550mAh and 18650 2600~3100mAh.

I don't know how the two battery configurations work in the light exactly. I can assume it depends on not only the circuit of the PD32 but the battery capacity.

I just tested PD32(prototype sample) with one protected 18650(2600mAh) cell and got runtime more than 140 minutes.

The FENIX homepage says 2 hours runtime when using two CR123A's but they don't mention the capacity.

 

[mikedeason]

Hi, I have to admit that I dont know alot about how the various batteries affect performance.

What I do know is that this torch seems to promote using 2 cr123's over the 18650. See description below which is on a few websites (no mention of 18650)

Features of the Fenix PD31:
• Cree XP-G LED (R5) with a lifespan of 50,000 hours
• Uses two 3V CR123A batteries (Lithium)
• 120mm (Length) x24 mm (Diameter)
• the inner diameter of the tube is 18.8mm
• 64.4-gram weight (excluding batteries)
• Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
• Tail cap switch
• Capable of standing up securely on a flat surface to serve as a candle
• Made of durable aircraft-grade aluminum
• Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish

I am new to flashlights but I know with e cigarettes, using two 3V CR123's produced a 6v "hit" off the e cig but a reduced runtime. The single 3.7v 18650 produces less strong "hit" (inhale) but has a longer runtime.

So basically my question is does the increased voltage of two cr123's matter at all and should the single 18650 perform better?

 

[candle lamp]

I see. CR123A lithium batteries show better performance in cold temperature.
As you know, PD32 uses two CR123A's or one 18650.
In my view, one 18650 has longer runtime and almost same brightness(total output) as two lithium cells.
But the latter depends on the circuit of PD32.

 

[AutoTech]

Sorry for asking the obvious but.. Has anyone put an 18650 in a pd32?

The pd31 could take either cr123 or 18650, it was a sort of 'special' of the pd30 and had a wider battery tube over the pd30. The pd30 can only take 2xcr123's.

Doesn't appear to show in description it takes 18650 and it might just be an updated pd30 rather than pd31?

Edit.. Just checked and it states on the fenix website it takes 18650 so I shouldn't worry about it if I were you.

 

[billc501]

Batteries and charger for PD32

I'am going to buy a Fenix PD32 I plan on using 18650 batteries.I have done a pile of searches but just get more confused. What would be good batteries and a charger for this light?

 

[hiuintahs]

Re: Batteries and charger for PD32

I only run a 18650 in my PD32 because I like rechargeable batteries.

The deal is that the PD32 has a current regulated driver circuit and it doesn't matter whether you give it 6v (2 CR123's) or 4v (one 18650).........the output will be the same.

The way to look at it is from a power perspective rather than volts / amps. Since the driver circuit will take the input and convert it to the proper current for regulation, it amounts to:

Power in = power out + power loss of the circuit.

Power is volts x current. So if the PD32 is fed 6v it just means that the current draw from those 2 batteries will be less than the amount from a 18650.

Here is a comparison:

A CR123A is nominal 3v battery with 1550mAh of capacity. 2 x 3v x 1550 = 9300 mili-watt-hours.
A 18650 is nominal 3.7v battery with 3100mAh of capacity. 1 x 3.7 x 3100 = 11,470 mili-watt-hours.

A 3100mAh 18650 has more energy than two CR123 non-rechargeable lithium batteries.

 

[buds224]

Re: Batteries and charger for PD32

I only run a 18650 in my PD32 because I like rechargeable batteries.

The deal is that the PD32 has a current regulated driver circuit and it doesn't matter whether you give it 6v (2 CR123's) or 4v (one 18650).........the output will be the same.

Thanks for posting this.....perfect explanation.

I run my PD32, PD32UE, and PD35 on only 18650s. My PD32 has run on 18650 for a couple of years now, no problems.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Batteries and charger for PD32

I'am going to buy a Fenix PD32 I plan on using 18650 batteries.I have done a pile of searches but just get more confused. What would be good batteries and a charger for this light?

I've got a PD32 and I run either protected EagleTac 3100s, or unprotected Pannie 3100 18650s and both types work perfectly.

Chris