Got one light done, Now I am ready for more!

[tundratrader]

I have browsed for awhile looking at led dropins for surefires. I settled on the Malkoff M60 in my C2 SF. I am powering with 2xcr123 but I am going order aw cells soon. This was a great light with the surefire but the LED for sure takes it up, I cannot say enough positive things about it.

So now that I have that setup. I want to build up a m3t or m4 for better longrange throw. I am thinking of a leef 2x18650 body I have a tailcap and then just need the head I guess. I have been back and forth on the sf versus lumens factory for use. What is really the best I dont want it to last ten minutes and I dont want anything left on the table so to speak. I basically want a lot bigger brother to the light i currently have and carry everyday.

I hope that makes a little since.

Bad Intro I suppose.

Look forward to discussion this is a great board.

Zach Brown

 

[DM51]

Bad Intro I suppose.

Look forward to discussion this is a great board.

No, it is a good intro!

You've obviously picked up quite a lot of knowledge already, so I can tell you are doomed. You say "Now I am ready for more!" - lol, you'll always be ready for more, at least until either your wallet and/or Mrs. tundratrader decide they are ready for NO more. Welcome to CPF!

 

[RyanA]

Well one possibility is a m3 turbo head with the 3 cell body with a Mn bi-pin adapter, throw in a wa-1185 bulb and 3 IMR 16340 batteries (red aw's). Not a bad setup, but you'd only be looking at about 3-4x as many lumens as the Malkoff produces.:welcome:

 

[mdocod]

Welcome to CPF!!!

You're certainly off to a remarkably good start!!!

I think a 2x18650 leefbody with the M head threads is the way to go... Then just order a complete KT4 kit, which includes an MN15 and MN16 for you to play around with on the 2x18650 cells. You can always try out an HO-M3T in the future if you want to try an in-between bulb for that setup. If you find that the MN16 isn't satisfying, move up to a FM bi-pin to MN socket, and try out a WA1111 or Osram 64250 bulb

Eric

 

[RyanA]

I wonder if a 5761 would pan out with 2xIMR 18650?:devil:

 

[tundratrader]

So my next question is what would be the benefit of the kt4 versus the kt2 be. I think I will be sticking in the 9 volt range, would a bi pin setup not work in the kt2? I just cant figure out the difference I know they are two totally diff heads and that the kt2 uses and adapter from c body. List price on SF website is also about 80 bucks more.

Thanks
Zach

 

[mdocod]

There are a few differences, but they will both accept the same bulbs (you can use FMs bi-pin adapter in either one)...

The KT4 (turbo kit #4) comes with both the MN15 and MN16 lamp assemblies and a millennium turbo head. It's the same turbohead that comes on the M3T, M4, and M6 flashlights. The threads are larger than the "C" series lights. So this turbohead will only fit bodies with "M" style threads on the business end. The Millinium turbohead has a a shock isolation system. The reflector and lamp assembly are literally "floated" between the springs at the base of the lamp, and a piece of neoprene foam type material at the front end. This configuration allows the lamp to survive the recoil of a weapon much better. It should also improve the lamp reliability in situations where the flashlight is dropped.

The KT2 (turbo kit #2) comes with either an N2 or MN15 lamp (I think they discontinued the N2 and just ship the MN15, as for all intents and purposes, they are basically the same bulb). The included turbohead comes with an adapter for mating up to "C" body flashlights, and will not mount up to "M" style threads.

A C-C body and a KT2, or a C-M body with a KT4, will both work with all of the same bulb options, the KT4 kit will arguably improve the durability of the flashlight a bit.

You can go either route, both are great options, IMO, I think the KT2 is really cool looking installed on C style bodies as it jumps up to that full diameter more dramatically.

 

[Nite]

based on that, and previous info in the IMR setups thread, I ordered a KT2 for 149 shipped, no tax, battery junction, use coupon code surefire INSTEAD of CPF2006 to save the most.

way cheaper than buying from SF itself

Surefire
KT2-BK 9V
TurboHead
Conversion
Kit for C3,
D3, Z3, 9P
Bonus : Free Domestic Ground Shipping
No Export : This item cannot exported from the USA.
$116.00
1 Surefire Lamp
Assembly for
Surefire M6 -
500 Lumens
MN21
No Export : This item cannot exported from the USA.
$33.00
Subtotal: $149.00
Shipping: $0.00
Tax: $0.00
Total: $149.00

 

[tundratrader]

So I have not jumped off on the turbohead, I have been watching the for sale but havent seen one so I am in no hurry. In the meantime because of the forum I have ordered FM's Bi-pin d26 setup for my 9p. I am going to use 17500 cells and that should be good to go for awhile. I think.....


Hope everyone's Holiday season is going well.

Zach

 

[Nite]

So I have not jumped off on the turbohead, I have been watching the for sale but havent seen one so I am in no hurry. In the meantime because of the forum I have ordered FM's Bi-pin d26 setup for my 9p. I am going to use 17500 cells and that should be good to go for awhile. I think.....


Hope everyone's Holiday season is going well.

Zach

Can I ask what bulbs you ordered from FM?
those wont power the best funnest part of that lamp assembly, the FM1794

add a 1 cell extender so you can use 2 x 17670
Solarforce makes one for 6$
(or buy a FiveMega body, use 18500x2 or 18650x2)

 

[tundratrader]

I ordered a couple of the FM1794 and also ordered one of the TL-3 bulbs to carry in the bezel as a spare. Will the two 17500 cells or three cr123's not power that bulb for some reason? It says that the bezel is for the 9p size body and 1500+mah I presumed that was combined capacity not single cell. It doesnt say you need at least the 17670. I am gonna be real dissapointed if it isnt going to work. I wanted to leave the 9p body alone with the standard head because it fits perfect in the console top in my truck. I am going to go for the fm 2 x 18650 bodies when I get a turbohead light going.

 

[mdocod]

tundratrader,

When you wire cells in series, (end to end) the voltage adds up, the capacity does not. A pair of 17500s in series in a 9P host, is still a 1100mAH battery pack, but you have doubled the voltage (~7.4V). There is no such thing as a free lunch or over-unity device, and assumptions that people tend to make about batteries, especially li-ion, are almost always wrong , (sorry )

The 1794 draws ~3A. The maximum safe discharge rate for 17500 size LiCo chemistry li-ion cells is about 2 amps.

 

[tundratrader]

What about just running it with regular cr123 cells. I guess if it doesnt work with either of those there will be a 9p body for sale.

 

[tundratrader]

So just when I think I am ahead and had read enough. What I dont understand is why is the fm1794 listed for the 9p when there is no cell combo that will power that lamp?

 

[Nite]

What about just running it with regular cr123 cells. I guess if it doesnt work with either of those there will be a 9p body for sale.

Dude, you ask if you can use 2 17500 or 3 RCR123

Not only are 17500 unsafe to run that FM1794 with unprotected cells as it exceeds safe usage rate (discharge rate or "C") and protected cells wouldnt even work. furthermore, to use three RCR 123 would just instantly blow the bulb (instaflash), its 9 volt bulb but 3 Lion cells are about 11-12volts.

You have leaped without looking im afraid. I hope you didnt purchase any batteries yet. ALL is not lost however. you have two options:

1. Yes you do not need that Body unless you buy the following: a 1 cell extender for SF lights, then use TWO LiCo Lion 17670 cells instead of 17500, this will give you some good runtime like almost half an hour.
with FM1794 or SF P91

2. Purchase two New LiMn Lion IMR 16340, and a dummy spacer 123. IF you do not top off those two cells all the way to 4.2volts each....try 4.1volts each, then you can run a SF P91 or FM1794 for about 7 or 8 minutes.

a third option is keep the FM1794 lamp assembly in a FiveMega 2x18650 body instead of a SF 9P. Im sure someone here can show you where to get one. Buy two 18650 liCo lion (AW protected "black label") then you can get almost 40 minutes runtime playing with those FM1794. Also im compelled to say the FM D26 lamp assembly you JUST BOUGHT will fit in that FiveMega body perfectly. If you try it in your 9P it will crush your protection circuits and springs.

Its not only painfully obvious that you havent, but its also ViTAL that you read this thread MDs Rechargeable Compatibility chart/guide for popular flashlights!


read the first TWO POSTS! You will be tested, and dont complain the 24 pages will just fly by as everything you need to Know is in there.

Once you have read this guide you wont need to ask anymore questions im afraid. Unless you have questions about the cells I mentioned, then try this link http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201375

 

[Youfoundnemo]

...

 

[tundratrader]

Morning all,

First I made no mention of rcr123 cells, I meant regular throwaway cr123 cells. These are rated at 1300 mah so I still assume these might come close to working. I know the rcr123's would be to high a voltage. I wanted a light that I would be able to throw regular batteries at. I am often in the boonies and need to be able to use regular cr123's

I have read through modocod guide a few times. I still do not understand why the aw imr cells that are rated at 500 mah and are ok for this bulb. I also dont understand why the 18650 of this size is flashing these bulbs.

I have read the guide but still have questions sorry. I had read it previously as well.
Zach

 

[Youfoundnemo]

...

 

[tundratrader]

Problems Solved

So I did quite a bit of studying, shopping and comparing today. I have learned that the standard sf123 cells are around 1200 mah, so they obviously lack the power for the fm1794. I have decided to get the 2 x 18500 FM body and the aw 18500 cells from lighthound. I stayed with this size because I dont want the extra length of the 2 x 18650 tube. I like that I can switch to a 9 volt lamp when I need to and not have to worry about dummy cells. So this will be my setup for now. Thanks all for the help. I will report and take beamshots when I get this setup going.

 

[Nite]

Re: Problems Solved

So I did quite a bit of studying, shopping and comparing today. I have learned that the standard sf123 cells are around 1200 mah, so they obviously lack the power for the fm1794. I have decided to get the 2 x 18500 FM body and the aw 18500 cells from lighthound. I stayed with this size because I dont want the extra length of the 2 x 18650 tube. I like that I can switch to a 9 volt lamp when I need to and not have to worry about dummy cells. So this will be my setup for now. Thanks all for the help. I will report and take beamshots when I get this setup going.

Hmm, itll work fine..but runtime on 2x18500 isnt same as 2x18650

about ten minutes less, also less likely to instaflash that bulb.

Dont charge your cells past 4.11 volts or it will flash the FM1794 bulb on NEW freshly charged AW cells anyway.

Did MDOCOD tell you how important a 5$ Digital MultiMeter is? check amazon.