I would like your help on this one

[Youfoundnemo]

I have a 6p with a cree R2 drop-in in it, I was hoping to make it a rechargable. Should I use 2 rechargable 123's or a 18650 (if one will fit im not sure yet) or is there some other way. What kind of cells/ chargers do you use?

 

[Marduke]

It depends on the dropin. A 18650 will not fit a 6P unless you have it bored out, or use a Leef body for it. A 17670 will fit however.

But it depends on the voltage range of the dropin you are using. Most likely it will accept 2xRCR123's with the same brightness, or 1x17670 with about 30% reduced brightness after about 1/3 of the runtime. This is based off most R2 type dropins I've seen, but yours may be different.

 

[FlashKat]

I agree... my Cree R2 is brighter with 2 RCR123 batteries.

It depends on the dropin. A 18650 will not fit a 6P unless you have it bored out, or use a Leef body for it. A 17670 will fit however.

But it depends on the voltage range of the dropin you are using. Most likely it will accept 2xRCR123's with the same brightness, or 1x17670 with about 30% reduced brightness after about 1/3 of the runtime. This is based off most R2 type dropins I've seen, but yours may be different.

 

[MrGman]

I have not been happy with any of the RCR123 rechargeables that I have had that supposedly are 800mAh or so. They typically are good for 5 to 10 minutes of a solid run before they poop out and that's it. The one 17670 will run dimmer because the voltage is too low already for most of the drivers in the R2's like the previous poster stated. Unless you want to add an extension tube and go to 2 17500's which work quite well for good run time and brightness stability, I would stick to primary batteries. They are far more consistent.

One other way to go, which I have done, is to open the pill, disable the driver, disconnect some of the components in the way, take the plus (red) terminal wire going to the led from the driver and run it to the terminal for the (+) of the battery and run it direct drive. Then the 17670 battery will work very well with a slow gradual drop off in brightness but with far more than 10 minutes of useable run time. I have been very pleased with the performance of a Lighthound house brand Cree Q5 pill that I did this to.

 

[kramer5150]

I went the RCR123 route with my 11836 and 14442. With budget DX RCR123 cells the 11836 will last about ~45 minutes per run. I carry backup cells and just reload to extend run times. I haven't tested the 14442 run time yet, but it draws a little more current on high than the 11836, and considerably less on med and low.

Neither of these modules run at their brightest below ~3.7V... but they will emit less light for a longer period. Its a trade-off between run time and output.

You have to ask yourself how much light do you really need to get the job done? Under-driving the module may reduce output, but if it doubles-triples run time, it may be a worthy investment.

I bought the 14442 for its long running low mode (the other modes are just a bonus). However, at ~50L the low is still too high for what I want. Under-driving it (intentionally) with a single 17mm diameter cell may make it more useful and extend run times.

 

[Zenster]

I've converted two of my 6P's with Malkoff drop-ins in them by changing out the tube for 2x18650 tubes.

Not only did I instantly get rechargeable lights, but they run forever on those 2600mah batteries.
Yes, the 6P gains a length of one 18650 battery, but I like it.
Then I can always change the tube back to the original 2xCR123 and go that way if I "need" to. Haven't seen the need to do that since I changed them over.

 

[MrGman]

Tell us more about the tubes and where you got them. Could you have gone with an extension to run 2 18500's instead which is basically making it the length of a 9P and 1mm wider?

 

[Zenster]

Tell us more about the tubes and where you got them. Could you have gone with an extension to run 2 18500's instead which is basically making it the length of a 9P and 1mm wider?

I bought the tubes directly from a CPF member who had several of them for sale a few weeks ago. PM me and I'll get you his name.

I preferred the idea of solid tubes rather than just adding an extension. Too many parts and another joint to worry about keeping water out of.

With 2x18500's, the light would have been a little shorter than my 2x18650 setup, but I've got other 18650 lights plus a number of 18650 batteries already, and I didn't want to introduce yet another different battery type.
I like 18650's for their high capacity, and two in series drives the Malkoff M60 perfectly for likely more than 3 hours or so.

My second converted P6 has the M60L in it, and I can't even begin to imagine what I'm going to do with a light that will run for 8 hours on one charge.

And again, the length of the 2x18650 6P's has grown on me. It's really a nicely balanced light.

 

[Sgt. LED]

My second converted P6 has the M60L in it, and I can't even begin to imagine what I'm going to do with a light that will run for 8 hours on one charge.

And again, the length of the 2x18650 6P's has grown on me. It's really a nicely balanced light.

I have the same 2X18650 light and I run everything from an M60LL in it to an R2 to the 5mega incan socket and reflector.

This light gets ALOT of use. I have to tell you I don't even know how long the M60LL is going to run on 2 18650's!!!!

Everyone should have one in their stockpile.

 

[Youfoundnemo]

I really need the output, I would actually like it to be brighter, I use it to check on the livestock and they are generally a good ways off.... run time isnt a huge issue so long as it will give 10 15 min. of full brightness ill be happy. So let me get this straight, i can eather use two rcr123's, one 17670, two 18500's with a extension tube, or two 18650's with two extension tubes? all would give me the same brightness except for the 17670 right?.....im sort of confused (being a country boy im not all that bright

)

 

[MrGman]

you cant use any 18XXX battery at all in a 6P unless you had the internal cavity bored out, because it was designed to take a 17mm diameter battery. So if its in original condition forget the 18XXX batteries.

One extension tube and 2 X 17500 batteries should be plenty, don't forget the battery magnets, they have them on Lighthound.com.

 

[Marduke]

The 18650 options require a Leef body, a seperate body for either the one or two cell option.

 

[tx101]

Apart from Leef, Fivemega makes 2 x 18650 C bodies

Look Here

 

[Youfoundnemo]

What are battery magnets? Also what is the best brand of 17500's/chargers for them. if i raise the amount of cells to say 3 or 4 will it increase the brightness if not I'll use the 2x 17500s

Thanks sooo much for all your help with this

 

[Marduke]

Most likely you will not need any magnets since the 6P has springs on both ends and you can get cells with positive nipples on them. As for brightness, anything over 2 cells will not be any brighter.

 

[Youfoundnemo]

Dang, I was hoping I could get it brighter...oh well its still ok, so where might I be able to find these 17500's and a charger for them (does anyone make kits or something that would have everything i need?)

 

[Gunner12]

Since you are thinking of using 17500 batteries, you'll need a 1 CR123 extender so the two batteries fit. It would turn the 6P to a 9P size.

You can buy those batteries(and chargers) from AW(a member here) and other places, just Google it.

If you don't want to change the body size, get 2 RCR123s. You'll get less runtime because of the rechargeables but you get rechargeable batteries so you can top them off after every use.

Buy protected Li-ion batteries.

:welcome:

 

[Youfoundnemo]

Thank you guys for all the help! I really do appreciate it

Nemo