HO9/17500 question

[10milg29]

Hi all,
Happy New Year! I've been in Iraq for about two months now. As a pilot flying nights, I use my Surefire 6p with LF HO9 and 2 AW 17500's on a nightly basis. I typically use it for around 30 minutes a night and throw it on the charger the next day. I have done this for about a month now. My question is if this is an acceptable practice? It also seems that the light is getting dimmer than usual. I think I recall a life of around 20 hours for these bulbs. I could be used to the light and the brightness is a figment of my imagination. Is the bulb ending its life? Are the batteries going? Any input is appreciated. Can someone please throw up a link to an economical/reliable merchant that sells them.
Thanks

 

[nzgunnie]

Hi all,
I use my Surefire 6p with LF HO9 and 2 AW 17500's on a nightly basis.

Could you please clarify your setup? You can't fit 2x 17500s in a 6P. Do you mean you use RCR123s, or are you using a 9P (or 6P with an extension)?

Assuming the 17500s, then 30 minutes before recharging should be fine for the batteries, the LF site lists 40 minute run time.

Your estimate of the amount of time you've run the lamp would put it at around 30 hours, so already you've got 10 hours more than the 'Average' rated life. Does the bulb still look clear? If it is starting to get a dark tint to it, then it is probably that the lamp is now putting out less light. If it is still clear it should be ok, LF bulbs are good quality and you may still have many hours to go yet.

As for the batteries, without some way to test their capacity it is hard to tell.

What kind of charger are you using?

 

[nzgunnie]

Links:

Lamps:
http://www.lumensfactory.com

http://www.lighthound.com/

AW batteries:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=170420

http://www.lighthound.com/

 

[mdocod]

If you are using it in continuous runs you could be heating up the cells a lot which would wear them out more quickly and eventually result in some dimming and loss of runtime... As a user of loose li-ion cells I highly recommend having access to a multi-meter so you can diagnose problems before they turn into BIG problems. Check your resting cell voltage coming off the charger and after you are finished using it at the end of the night and make sure things are "in spec" so to speak. Off the charger a good cell should settle to 4.10-4.20V after about 30 minutes, a worn out but potentially still safe and usable cell will hold around 4.00-4.10V, if your cells are falling below 4.00V after resting after charging, they should be replaced.

It does sound like you have gotten a good life out of that bulb, might be time to pick up a spare anyways, ...

ordinarily I would expect/guesstimate the 17500 cells you are using to survive around 200-400 cycles in that application before they are below 80% of their original capacity (ready to be recycled). Assuming you are using around 30 minutes a night, that would be about 70% of the cells capacity, which is a good point to stop at before a recharge to help maximize cycle life, the 1.55A draw of the HO-9 is above average for typical li-ion applications but well within safe margins. (the AW 17500s can deal with 2amp loads pretty well)... However... I must ask, which charger are you using.... some have a tendency to overcharge cells, which will quickly reduce cell performance and cycle life.

[edit in] oh and please clarify the configuration, as mentioned, 2x17500 doesn't fit in a 6P.

 

[10milg29]

It is a 6P with extension and am using an ultrafire wf-139. I have never used it for 30 minutes straight, rather 15 minutes at most. The bulb is getting a little dark.

 

[mdocod]

The WF-139 is known for overcharging if you leave the cells on after it turns green, monitor charging and you should be golden.

 

[winston]

I've got a new HO-9 you can have. PM me shipping info. and it's all yours.
-Winston

 

[bxstylez]

I've got a new HO-9 you can have. PM me shipping info. and it's all yours.
-Winston

got an extra one for me as well? :naughty:

.

 

[winston]

got an extra one for me as well? :naughty:

.

Lamps all around - on me! :buddies:

I suppose I can rustle up another one for you - provided you currently fly planes over a war zone.
-Winston

 

[10milg29]

Winston,
I appreciate your offer man. The 320 lumens come in handy, especially on the 10pm to 8am shift. Thanks.