help with Surefire Z3 to LED

[phil1880]

I am new to this site,

but I want to convert my Surefire Z3 to a high power LED, over 200 lms. I have been looking and think the Cree R2 will fit and be brighter than the Surefire p60l upgrade at 80lms. Seconds question, can I use the rechargeable cr123 that are more than 3V, will that make it even brighter?? what batteries can I use in the surefire Z3 with a LED convertion?? Im not that up on this sort of thing.

thanks

Phil

 

[LukeA]

You can use RCR123As or 17500s It depends on which module you want to use whether 3RCR123s will fry it or not. 2 17500s (which together take up the same amount of space as 3CR123) are in the acceptable voltage range of nearly all dropins.

Generally once you hit 4V total battery source you won't see much improvement from higher voltage, due to regulation.

 

[Gunner12]

First check this thread for LED drop-ins that take at least 9v. You probably won't get 200 lumen out the front.

Rechargeables, some drop-ins can't handle the voltage. The ones that can shouldn't change output with the higher voltage. These drop-ins contain a driver in them to power the LED. Almost all of them have a buck driver to lower the voltage from the battery to match the voltage needed by the LED(usually around 3.5-3.7v). This means as long as the battery voltage is within the voltage range of the driver, the output shouldn't change.

If you want to use rechargeable CR123s, look for drop-ins that can take at last 12.6v. If you don't mind other batteries, you can probably use 2 17500s, then you'll only need the drop-in to accept 8.4v.

:welcome:

 

[generic808]

One word: Malkoff :devil:

If you want throw, got with the M60. If you want some SERIOUS flood, the new M60F is amazing! Both units can run RCR123 protected/not protected with no problems. I believe tomorrow is the last day of Gene's ongoing 4th of July sale so hurry and get your order in!

 

[RWT1405]

+1 on the Malkoff M60! It's the best out there (that I've found anyway)! My .02 FWIW FMMV