Considering using rechargeables in my Sure-Fire M3 Combatlight

[InfidelCastro]

I am considering using some of AW's new 17500's in my M3 with the MN10 lamp, but I am nervous about doing it, I don't know if they are as tolerant as the P90/P91 as far as lithium ions. And they are alot more expensive than P90's!

Has anybody had a bad experience (blown lamps for example) using rechargeables with either the MN10 or MN11 lamps? Or the turbohead versions?

 

[Telkin]

I have an M3T and I use AW's 17500's and they work perfectly with the MN15. No double tapping necessary either. Better than Primaries. Enjoy it!

 

[benchmade_boy]

i have some 17500 that goatee gave me and i have yet to get a charger but they were fully charged when i got them so i used them for a couple weeks and they worked great. no "double clicking" no hassle at all but the ones i got wont run my MN16 only the Mn15. but other than that i would HIGHLY recomend them.

**EDIT** looks like Telkin beat me to it.:laughing:

 

[InfidelCastro]

Thanks Telkin, how long have you been using li-ions with the MN15? Is there alot of runtime on the bulbs so you could say that this is a reliable setup in the long run?

 

[Telkin]

That I can't help you with, I've been using it on and off for about 2 weeks and I don't wait for my batteries to shut off, I just charge them when I remember so I have not conducted any run-time tests. For the long run someone else can probably answer better than me.

 

[benchmade_boy]

i would say runtime is about 45 or so minutes.

and the beam will stay really bright the whole time until about the last minute then it gets pretty yellow then it goes way down then it wont turn on at all.

 

[InfidelCastro]

Thanks guys. I wasn't referring to runtime, was wondering about the durability of the M3 lamps with li-ions and what type of lifespan to expect before they go poof.

Because if it significantly reduces the lamp lifespan I wouldn't want to do it.

I believe they are 7.4V lamps, (someone correct me if I'm wrong) so I would think this goes well with 3.7V (nominal) rechargeables, especially in smaller cells like the 17500's.

From what I understand the M4 lamps are overdriven with li-ions and burn out often. That's just what I've heard, don't know if that's true.

 

[leukos]

Infidel,

I have yet to have an MN10 or P90 fail on me from use with Li-ions. I find this to be an extremely reliable set up. There were reports in years past of some of SF's HOLA's exploding when used with Li-ions. The MN16 is one I'm sure was mentioned. It seems the HOLA's get overdriven by Li-ions because their volatage does not sag to the extent that primaries do. However, the higher resistance of 9V LOLA's make a good match with two Li-ions.

 

[bagman]

I've been using 2 x of AW's 17500's with a MN16 in my M3T for some months now as my primary car light at work. Never had any problems I just change the cells when I have to triple click it to come on.

The first couple of minutes you can single click then it needs a double.

 

[SunStar]

I've used the MN10 & 15 / AW17500 set-up for sometime with no problems. Run time is similar to that of using primaries. LA life is something I can't accurately comment on. I hate double clicking and multiple clicks are required if using the MN11 & 16 / AW17500.

I am not one that is convinced that using rechargeables is always "cheaper" and would prefer to use primaries in many cases. However, once I used Li-ions, the beams from all my SF incandescents just look sickly when powered with fresh Li primaries. I detest the dull, yellow beam turning more dull and yellow from primaries when I can have a nice ambient white beam that is almost regulated in draw when using Li-ions.

In my experience, its not been demonstrated to me that LA life is affected. But even if a 10% or so loss were to occur, the quality of light experienced with Li-ions would warrant it (to me) over the dull, yellow beams produced by the voltage sagging primaries.

 

[nobody]

^ x 2

 

[bwaites]

I'd agree with Sunstar and nobody.

I have AW LiIon cells in my M3/M3T (Running the 18650's in that with a milkyspit body) and have no problems with them. My 17500's light my MN16 just fine, though!

Bill