metlarules
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2008
- Messages
- 1,027
Anyone ran their Malkoff M30 on a 4/3a yet?
I just got the cells today. I am putting them on the charger now. After a few cycles I will do a runtime test and post the results.
I am using 1 4/3a cell. I cannot measure light output but if I had to guess I would say it's around 70 to 80 lumens. The idea of this setup isn't max lumens. I want long runtime and proper battery size to tube without having to resort to wrapping batteries or using a sleeve. It could be used with 2 if you have a 6p with 2 extensions or a 2 18650/17670 tube as they are the same size.Are you using one or two 4/3A's. Not too sure you are going to see a lot of light with one. Do you have measurement tools for measuring current and light output?
Bill
Very Nice! sounds like a great house, car, or emergency light. So your test was with a 3800mAh cell, I guess. I don't know much about these cells, but if they were LSD I'd buy a couple. Right now I guess I'll just keep them in mind in case something comes up. In the mean time maybe Gene will develop a M15W drop-in, but I hope he comes out with a 2 or 3 level M30W first though.I just fininshed the 1st runtime test.The battery was 1.442v to start and ended 4hours and 20 minutes later at .958v.I think I just found my favorite battery for the m30wf.Like I said in my previous post the starting lumens looks to be around 70 or 80 lumens and at the end of the run I would guess it was around 40-50 lumens. I really like this combo. Now all I need to order is a 18650 body and a few of the Sanyo 4500mah 4/3a cells. I might be able to get 5hrs or more with these.
I think if the drive circuit was optimized for 1 nimh cell it would have better runtime and brightness. Malkoffs website does state that the drive voltage is 1-5.5 volts. I finished the second runtime test with the battery starting at 1.406 volts and ending at 1.03 volts and the runtime was 4:04 hrs. I placed an order for a 18650 tube and ordered some Sanyo 4/3af cells that are advertised to have 4500mah so I should get a considerable increase in runtime with those.
Output with a Li-Ion is about 220 lumens or so. Output with one CR123 or two AA NiMh's is about 130 lumens. Output with one NiMh would be ? It has got to be less than 130 lumens. I have got to try this out using one Eneloop, and figure that a very strong NiMh would give better results. The current M30's can operate from 1-5.5 volts imput. Need a lot of current to get good results with one NiMH, and two Eneloops draw about 1 amp from the batteries to attain 130 lumens, and that is at 2.8 volts or so starting. Interesting.
Bill
Yes I have a meter however it only reads up to 200ma. With 4 hours and 20 minutes runtime on a 3800mah battery tells me it is drawing approximately 875mah.Would you please check the battery current draw? You have a DMM?
Bill
What is a 4/3 A? Is there a thread somewhere?
A 4/3a cell is the same external dimensions as a 17670 li-ion except it is a nimh cell. The Panasonics that I have are 3800mah cells. There is also a 4/3af cell that is 18mm in diameter with the same length that goes up to 4500mah. Here is a description of the cells that I am using: http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4665What is a 4/3 A? Is there a thread somewhere?