2- 18500s work in ML25LT 2C Maglite?

[RCRVRP]

I am told 18500s are the same length as a C battery. Can I then use 2 18500s in my LED Maglite? I would make a spacer to compensate for the smaller diameter of the batteries.

 

[xxo]

I am told 18500s are the same length as a C battery. Can I then use 2 18500s in my LED Maglite? I would make a spacer to compensate for the smaller diameter of the batteries.

Hasn't tried it, but it would almost certainly blow the LED. The 2C ML25 does run fine (at least mine do) on a single Li-Ion cell even though these put out about a Volt more than a pair of alkaline C's. There's not much point in running 2 18500's, because you can get more power (Watt Hrs) out of a single 21700 anyway.

 

[DayofReckoning]

I've run two Duraloop Nimh AA rechargeables in the older 2C maglite before. Not sure if they fit in the ML25LT without modifying the spring or not. But a quality cell like Eneloop will perform way better than standard alkaline C cells, weigh much less, and perform better overall, without any risk of overdriving the LED.

 

[INFRNL]

Being the ML25LT is designed specifically for 2 alkaline batteries. I would say you definitely can't run it on 8+v.

I don't know anything about mags after the incan bulbs. Being that it has high/low, do they use a driver of some sort. Too much voltage will kill the driver or led depending on how they work.. however xxo said it can be run on a single li-ion, that's probably pushing it's limits.

According to the site, you can run 2 eneloops but performance will vary from using 2 alkalines.i don't have experience, so i don't know what the difference would be.

If you want to experiment with the risk of killing your light, you could try 2 li-ion and see if it quits working. I think the recommendation of a 21700 is your best bet if you want runtime, otherwise an 18650 should do

You could also run 2 of the nihm c cells which gives you 20000+ mah but they are super expensive. I had to buy 4 for an old fluke meter recently, cost was something like $70. I only buy powerex nihm or eneloop (pro)

 

[RCRVRP]

Being the ML25LT is designed specifically for 2 alkaline batteries. I would say you definitely can't run it on 8+v.

I don't know anything about mags after the incan bulbs. Being that it has high/low, do they use a driver of some sort. Too much voltage will kill the driver or led depending on how they work.. however xxo said it can be run on a single li-ion, that's probably pushing it's limits.

According to the site, you can run 2 eneloops but performance will vary from using 2 alkalines.i don't have experience, so i don't know what the difference would be.

If you want to experiment with the risk of killing your light, you could try 2 li-ion and see if it quits working. I think the recommendation of a 21700 is your best bet if you want runtime, otherwise an 18650 should do

You could also run 2 of the nihm c cells which gives you 20000+ mah but they are super expensive. I had to buy 4 for an old fluke meter recently, cost was something like $70. I only buy powerex nihm or eneloop (pro)

It is not high/ low. Only on/off and beam focusing. Don't know if that makes a difference but thats what it is.

 

[ftumch33]

2 `C` cells-3 volts
2 18500 cells- 7.4 volts
No Bueno

 

[INFRNL]

I thought the maglight site said it had high/low. Either way, unless someone has purposely tested its voltage range, it was only designed to be run off of 3v.

If i had the $25(whatever they cost) and motivation to go to the store and find one, I'd happily test it's limits for you. Unfortunately, i don't have the time right now.

I'm really not into a large 190lm light either. @190lm, I'd rather carry an edc sized light, but that's just me. A light of this size needs to put out like a Malkoff hound dog 18650 IMO. But i haven't bought a maglight since they used bulbs, probably back in the 90s. I gave up on them because they weren't reliable for my use at the time. That's a different story though.

Seems that maglight offers quite a bit more than they used to. Maybe I'll get a few for the wife/kids to use.


After seeing xxo's thread, you must have the previous version. So buying a current version wouldn't help your case

 

[fivemega]

If you want to experiment and ready to loose the flashlight, at least go with single 18650 or 21700 (4.2 volt vs 3.2 volt)

8.4 volt vs 3.2 volt is way too much overvolt.

 

[bykfixer]

I have an ML25 parts light.
How come?

I tried two 18500's in it. It actually lasted about 30 seconds with them then went supernova bright with a pop sound and that was that.

The one that replaced it runs fine with adapted eneloops.

 

[fivemega]

I tried two 18500's in it. It actually lasted about 30 seconds with them then went supernova bright with a pop sound and that was that.

30 seconds is too little to be practical.
I hope your next try will be single 18650 or 21700

 

[INFRNL]

I have an ML25 parts light.
How come?

I tried two 18500's in it. It actually lasted about 30 seconds with them then went supernova bright with a pop sound and that was that.

The one that replaced it runs fine with adapted eneloops.

Well there's the answer for the op, figured it was too much.

It would be interesting to see actual runtime graphs between c cell alkaline, c cell nihm, eneloops, and 18650 for this light (or current version). Runtime graphs like i do for the Malkoff community.

I'll have to keep this in mind.

 

[RobertMM]

Hahaha hilarious Bykfixer.

21700s with capacities topping 4000mAh would be awesome for this light if we can be sure that the circuit wouldn't die prematurely.

 

[xxo]

Well there's the answer for the op, figured it was too much.

It would be interesting to see actual runtime graphs between c cell alkaline, c cell nihm, eneloops, and 18650 for this light (or current version). Runtime graphs like i do for the Malkoff community.

I'll have to keep this in mind.

I have done some informal (no graphs) run time tests on the original single mode ML25 2C and 3C lights, both seem to run pretty much flat out with no step down and run time seems to follow the Watt-hours of the cells fairly closely, except with the 2C it dies fairly suddenly when the batteries no longer have enough power to run the light through the boost circuit and the 3C has a longer drop off as it goes into direct drive.

One thing that I found out about the single mode 2C is that it will run on a single 1.2 V Eneloop.

The new 2 mode 2C will not run on a single 1.2-1.5 V cell and seems to have a step down to extend run time.

 

[xxo]

Hahaha hilarious Bykfixer.

21700s with capacities topping 4000mAh would be awesome for this light if we can be sure that the circuit wouldn't die prematurely.

I have been running my ML25'S on 18650's/21700's in adapters and haven't had a problem so far, but of course, I have no way to know if there is might be an issue with some cells in some in some lights.

 

[INFRNL]

I have done some informal (no graphs) run time tests on the original single mode ML25 2C and 3C lights, both seem to run pretty much flat out with no step down and run time seems to follow the Watt-hours of the cells fairly closely, except with the 2C it dies fairly suddenly when the batteries no longer have enough power to run the light through the boost circuit and the 3C has a longer drop off as it goes into direct drive.

One thing that I found out about the single mode 2C is that it will run on a single 1.2 V Eneloop.

The new 2 mode 2C will not run on a single 1.2-1.5 V cell and seems to have a step down to extend run time.

That's interesting, thanks for the info.

 

[INFRNL]

Okay, i happened to be at Wally world tonight and saw a lonely ML25LT on clearance ($15). It's the new 2 mode model.

Crap, idk if i should have posted this here or in xxo's thread.