G2/6P LED/Rechargeable query: specific needs!

[kodb]

Hi all; I've spent literally hours reading stuff here and am bowled over by the amount of knowledge that is resident on this board. Having said that I'm at the state of complete confusion so need to ask the following specific question:
Need recommendation(s) for G2/6P sized body/LED drop in/rechargeable combo for carbine mounted lights. Currently using M1 carbines with surefire G2s and primaries with Viking Tactics light mounts. I need to shift to rechargeables but want to stay with the same exterior diameter lights or I'll have to switch all of our mounts and positioning which has taken a tremendous amount of time to work out. This is a relatively acute real time need because of a personal security issue here at home/work. Application will be low light/ night targeting from 0 to 50 meters.
Any and all help appreciated! If I can return the favor with gunsmithing/tactical advice please don't hesitate to ask!

Regards,
Bob

 

[Kestrel]

My suggestions:

Malkoff M60 all the way. A fantastic, top-rated, near-bombproof LED drop-in. Great brightness, great beam (considerable throw while still retaining adequate spill). You can also go with the M30. Both drop-ins work great with a single rechargeable LiIon cell. The M60 will give you slightly less output on a single (large) cell, but considerably more runtime. However, if you'll be using your G2 with an original nitrolon bezel, you will have to go with the M60L for ~140 lumens due to heat-buildup issues.
Since LED drop-ins are OT for this subforum, I'd recommend reading _THE_ thread on the Malkoff LED line for more information,
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=194879

If you want to keep using your SureFire G2 bodies:
a single Lithium-Ion AW protected 17670. They are very highly regarded on these forums (particularly with regard to reliability), and AW has excellent customer service.

If you want to go with a SureFire 6P - type body, the SolarForce body (which should have the same OD as your G2, if someone can post with the OD of the SolarForce body to make sure that the OD is the same) can handle a single AW protected 18650, for considerably more stored energy / runtime. The aluminum bezel will also permit running the high-output M60/M30 LED modules without having to worry about heat issues.

Regarding specific tactical considerations, another poster will have to help with that, I pay considerable attention to component reliability / robustness, but less so with 'tactical' issues. One thing to take note of is that you need to pay attention to the protection-circuit issue, when the LiIon cell will cut-off instantly upon depletion to protect the chemistry, leaving you in the dark without warning. This is a good reason to run the Malkoff M60 on a single cell, as described in page 4 of the thread I cited above. For additional information, check the threads below. CPF member DHart has done quite a bit on this topic, you might try PM'ing him if you don't find out what you need from these threads:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=226590
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=227576 <- read this thread first.

Hope this helps,

 

[Black Rose]

Outside diameter of a SolarForce L2 with the 18650 body tube is 25.11mm.

 

[kodb]

Thanks for the detailed specific info and apologies to all for being partially OT with the LED portion of the query. I will read the referenced threads and see if the SolarForce body will fit our current mounting systems.
I'll let you know the results as we progress; any further advice gladly accepted!
Regards,
Bob

 

[Kestrel]

Outside diameter of a SolarForce L2 with the 18650 body tube is 25.11mm.

OD of my SureFire G3 nitrolon = 25.96 mm
OD of my SureFire 6P = 25.55 mm
Interesting.

 

[Kestrel]

Thanks for the detailed specific info and apologies to all for being partially OT with the LED portion of the query.

Actually, I wasn't being all that clear by suggesting OT - I just didn't want to kick off a series of discussions on LED's here in /electronics-batteries/, as Malkoff LED modules are a very popular subject of discussion on CPF. You're not OT, the OP (you) defines the topic. Just partially off-forum, that's all, as your post query extends to multiple subforums. Not your fault, you just have multiple questions.

 

[BIGLOU]

I see you want to mount this on a weapon. I read in some old Surefire Classic Weapon Light instructions that they recommend rechargables only when training. I guess the batteries could self discharge and you do not what this to happen in a "tactical " situation, I would stick to the CR123s. If you definately want to go the rechargable route go with the Surefire KR1 or KR2 Rechargable Conversion Kit. I converted my 6PDL and it works great havent even charged the B65 battery again yet. Just my 2 cents. I'll post a photo if requested.

 

[kodb]

Thanks again for the above advice. I've read the threads that Kestrel referenced and the other advice tendered. What do you guys think of going with the Malkoff build your own light package using an M60 and a single AW 18650 versus getting the Solarforce host and adding the M60? Any experience with the Malkoff complete build?
Thanks again,
Bob

 

[Kestrel]

Thanks again for the above advice. I've read the threads that Kestrel referenced and the other advice tendered. What do you guys think of going with the Malkoff build your own light package using an M60 and a single AW 18650 versus getting the Solarforce host and adding the M60? Any experience with the Malkoff complete build?

I don't have an opinion on the Malkoff hosts, you'd have to check out the (long) Malkoff host thread for that one. I don't know about the OD of those and if that will cause any issue with your mounting configuration. I also don't have any idea how the switch is done on those. For a Solarforce host, you might consider the standard SureFire Z41 twistie over any Solarforce clickie (or whatever they are using). The SF Z41's (a very common tailcap on CPF) are pretty much as reliable as can be, nothing to really ever go wrong with them. If you go with a Solarforce host & combining it with other parts such as the M60 & SF Z41 tailcap, make sure that the configuration works well together before mounting it to a weapon (like EDC'ing it & using it for six months kind of making sure) to ensure all electrical connections are robust before replacing your current weapon config (and then extensively testing it there as well - but you probably were already planning on that). My two lumens,