Fenix PD30R4 battery

[dmxbiohazrd]

so it takes CR123A batteries, problem is they are hella expensive. 20$ for 2
so i want to use AW 18650. since they are rechargeable. My question is doesnt 2x CR123A = 1x 18650 in size in every way? the guy from fenix said i cant use them (i emailed them)
does anyone know why?
thanks

 

[yowzer]

so it takes CR123A batteries, problem is they are hella expensive. 20$ for 2

That's really expensive, even for retail stores. You can get good CR123 batteries for a lot cheaper online.

so i want to use AW 18650. since they are rechargeable. My question is doesnt 2x CR123A = 1x 18650 in size in every way? the guy from fenix said i cant use them (i emailed them)
does anyone know why?
thanks

The diameter's larger on the 18650, and it's a bit shorter. There's a Li-Ion that's closer to the size of 2 CR123s: 17670. I'm not familiar with the PD30, so I don't know if that'd work even if it does fit. Voltage might be too low. It might be able to handle a pair of RCR123s... do some searching here on CPF. I'm sure it's come up before.

 

[John_Galt]

Fenix lights mostly don't support Li-ion batteries. Models like the LD20, 10, PD10/20/30,etc. Don't regulate well on Li-ion, and go into direct drive mode. So you would have one very bright output, and no dimmer ones.

My LD20 does that on regular Lithium AA's. The voltage is too high for the driver. Also, due to limited heat-sinking mass in the smaller lights, using a RCR123/16340/14500 Li-ion can fry the LED by making it run too hot.

$10 apiece is insane, man... Buy online, in bulk, prices can get to below $1/cell for quality brand name cells.

If you're looking for Li-ion compatibility in a light, check out the Quark series by 4Sevens. All those lights are on the same deal quality wise as Fenix, and all support Li-ion technology.

 

[dmxbiohazrd]

yeah, I bought 1 pair of CR123A, 5$ for 2 and after S&H it came to 20$ still lol. ill buy a ton next time save more. Probably finding a local or nearby company will reduce the S&H charges. THanks guys btw

 

[MichaelW]

The Fenix P3D and PD30 use a buck circuit.
You can use an AW 17670, but 2xcr123 have more energy than one 17670.

an 18650 is physically too large to fit in the pd30

http://www.light-reviews.com/fenix_pd30_r4/


Purchase shrink wrapped 2 pack online for much cheaper than brick/mortar stores. 1 for $10, 2pack for $15

 

[lemlux]

I've been running my PD30 successfully for some time with unprotected Panasonic 17670's. The tube ID is too tight to use my protected Pila 17670's.

Currently, on eb*y you can buy 9@ Sony 17670's for about $19 delivered that should fit. These appear to have been sourced from recalled new laptop battery packs.

 

[dmxbiohazrd]

Thanks Micheal.
I just bought a pair of 17670 online. I actually found a site that doesnt charge shipping and Handling!!! Book marked forever now lol