Help: New solarforce drop-in (XP-G.R5, XP-E.R2) ?

[Tally-ho]

There is new solarforce drop-in but I am a little puzzled with voltage range.

http://www.solarforce.hk/PRD/content.jsp?id=7.1&template=e.tmp.html
LC-1 (R2, single mode, 0.8V-4.2V) - New!!
LC-1 (R2m, 3 modes, 0.8V-4.2V) - New!!
LC-1 (R2m, 3 modes, 4.2V-8.4V) - New!!
LC-1 (R2m, 5 modes, 0.8V-4.2V) - New!!
LC-1 (Red/Green/Blue, single mode, 3V-18V) - New!!
LC-1 (Red/Green/Blue, 5 modes, 4.2V-8.4V) - New!!

http://www.solarforce.hk/PRD/content.jsp?id=7.3&template=cd.tmp.html
LC-XPG (R5, 5 modes, 4.2V-8.4V)


What to expect of the 4.2V to 8.4V range ?
Sorry for the noob question but with the bottom voltage range of 4.2V, will the driver be out of regulation with only one Li-Ion ?

 

[^Gurthang]

Tally,

The 4.2-8.4 volt drop-ins are for using 2 batteries [2x Cr123] in a regular L2 host. You can use a single 18650 but yes it won't stay in regulation once the cell drops below 4.2V. you could add a E-18 body extender so you can use 2X 18650s and have full output w/ full regulation and LONG runtime.

 

[old4570]

4.2 - 8.4 volt

Usually the cut off is 3v , so if you run a single RCR123A or 18650 [ 4.2v fully charged ] it will stop working @ 3v

You most likely wont be able to run a primary ...

the 0.8v to 4.2v are usually good for a multi battery set up ...
Like a L2M if you were to want to run both Primary and rechargeable CR123A and 2xAA with a extension [ 18650 ] , should you want , or one of the new L2r [ 2xAA Body ] .

 

[Tally-ho]

4.2 - 8.4 volt

Usually the cut off is 3v , so if you run a single RCR123A or 18650 [ 4.2v fully charged ] it will stop working @ 3v

It is for using it in a L2P with 1*18650, or sometimes 2*16340.

The thing I don't like much with 0.8V to 4.2V is that a 18650 (protected) has to go too low before the PCB quick out (2.7V ?). I prefer a drop-in feature that cuts the power at 3V.
So, a 4.2V to 8.4V module sounds good to me but I would like to know if the light is going to dim gradually with battery voltage. Is the module driver going to switch to direct drive under 4.2V ?

 

[Tally-ho]

(double post)

 

[march.brown]

It is for using it in a L2P with 1*18650, or sometimes 2*16340.

The thing I don't like much with 0.8V to 4.2V is that a 18650 (protected) has to go too low before the PCB quick out (2.7V ?). I prefer a drop-in feature that cuts the power at 3V.
So, a 4.2V to 8.4V module sounds good to me but I would like to know if the light is going to dim gradually with battery voltage. Is the module driver going to switch to direct drive under 4.2V ?

You shouldn't rely on the protection circuit in the battery to turn your torch off ... Sometimes they don't ... I know that my L2s with three mode drop-in or one mode drop-in will give two and a half hours on full power ... I estimate when I need to change the 18650 then just put a fresh one in and recharge the used one ... It doesn't matter if you just top up the 18650 regularly ... It won't do any harm to the battery ... Some of my batteries are not protected and have not suffered in any way ... I tend to overestimate the ammount of use and usually the battery voltage is over 3.8 volts ... So I am generally charging the 18650s when there is at least 40% charge left in them ... Obviously it is essential to have a voltmeter to check this.

I just don't want the torch to decide when to turn off ... It is bound to happen when you really don't want it to .... Hence the fact that I probably charge my batteries too early rather than too late.
.

 

[old4570]

It is for using it in a L2P with 1*18650, or sometimes 2*16340.

The thing I don't like much with 0.8V to 4.2V is that a 18650 (protected) has to go too low before the PCB quick out (2.7V ?). I prefer a drop-in feature that cuts the power at 3V.
So, a 4.2V to 8.4V module sounds good to me but I would like to know if the light is going to dim gradually with battery voltage. Is the module driver going to switch to direct drive under 4.2V ?

After a certain point [ 18650 ] the pill will suffer from voltage sag , you wont really notice till your around 60-70% depleted , depending on the driver .
So bye the time you notice , it will be a warning that your fuel is low .
This all being on High setting . If you run low or medium , you wont really notice till you hit maybe 80-90% depleted [ again depending on the driver ]

A lot of folks like 2xRCR123A because there is no voltage sag , and the light runs fully regulated till the batteries are almost fully depleted ..

Check out the 18350 batteries if you plan on going 123 , they offer a little more capacity than the best 16340 .

Personally I like 18650 and if the light runs un-regulated for a while , or just DD on high , thats fine bye me .

 

[Tally-ho]

Thank you for your help and suggestions. I'm less and less considering DD as an issue. I like somes good points when running DD.