18650 for Jetbeam III M?

[LauraQ]

I just ordered a Jetbeam III M, intending to use R123's in it, but after reading about 18650's, I think this might be the better choice. However, I'm a battery newbie and not sure what I should do. Suggestions? Explanations? Thoughts? All are appreciated.

 

[skyfire]

18650 will give you about triple the runtime compared to 2x rcr123. many consider AW brand li-ion to be the best. their 2600mah and newer 2900mah are flat top cells (no nipple on the positive end).

some report that their jet III M works with flat-tops, while some say no:shrug: there is also a 2200mah cell that does have the nipple. if you want a cheaper option, ive used trustfire 2400mah 18650 red/black label for months now without problems. but i will be picking up the newer 2900mah cells. I can try them out in my jet III m and give you an update in about a week.

EDIT: received a few AW 2900mah flat-top cells, and can confirm they work with my Jet III M Q3.

 

[Glock27]

I have 2 Jet IIIMs. 18650's work well in them. 2 1/2+ hours on high using harvested cells from a laptop.
I have several hundred hours of runtime on each...much more than if I was using primaries.
If you use rechargables, you'll use your light a lot more.
Get a Pila charger and some quality cells, *cough(AW), and don't look back.
G27

 

[eightballrj]

I have 18650's in all of my Jetbeams (2x IIIM's, M1X, M2S) all of them work great. But, I would advise getting some magnets for the pos conductor as some of JB's lights can run them, some can't.(you can get the perfect magnets at lighthound)

 

[KiwiMark]

But, I would advise getting some magnets for the pos conductor as some of JB's lights can run them, some can't.(you can get the perfect magnets at lighthound)

Unfortunately the magnet can move and dead-short the battery - probably not the best thing to happen inside a flashlight body. It 'should' be safe with a protected battery because the protection circuit 'should' work as intended and immediately shut off the current flow. With an unprotected cell or a protected cell with a faulty protection circuit the result may be sub-optimal.

 

[Glock27]

Flat top cells work fine in both my IIIM's and Raptor 1.

I don't think you'll need any stinking magnets

G27

 

[eightballrj]

Unfortunately the magnet can move and dead-short the battery - probably not the best thing to happen inside a flashlight body. It 'should' be safe with a protected battery because the protection circuit 'should' work as intended and immediately shut off the current flow. With an unprotected cell or a protected cell with a faulty protection circuit the result may be sub-optimal.

I'm not sure how this would happen unless you drop the light from a 20 story building. These magnets are very strong. On top of the fact that the insulation around the cell centers the magnet on the connector, I tried to make it work where the magnet could be touching the cathode and also touching the body and I couldn't see how it could happen. Also, there is a fair amount of pressure holding the battery to the pill's connector. I just don't see how it could happen. But if you are wary about it, I would get button top cells or buy one flat top and see if it works. If a flat tops work, then don't bother with button tops or magnets.