L1 Humming with 3.7v LiOn Rechargeables

[jumpstat]

I tried yesterday with a 3.7v Li-On Rechargeable. On Low no hum but on high it gets intense. I measured the voltage at 3.865v. I took the battery off. So I replaced with SF primary, and operations are as normal.

1) Obviously the lite was overdriven. To what extent does this hurt the LED?
2) What was actually humming? The LED or the board driver?
3) KL1 able to take 2 x 3.7v without over driven. Isn't KL1 and L1 designed using similar parameters?
4) Whats the actual Vmax of KL1, L1 and KL4 (Haven't got it yet! but thinking of getting it).

Thanks guys/gals for your input/advice......

 

[wasBlinded]

The humming is likely coming from the inductor in the boost circuit. Maybe its getting too warm with the RCR123.

You probably aren't doing damage to the LED itself.

 

[jumpstat]

Hi WasBlinded,

So its the inductor of the boost cuircuit making the humming sound. I did not really put the L1 on high for long maybe about max 5 seconds when I noticed the hum.

Thanks

 

[Sable]

Mine does this too - I have a milkyspit-modded Old-style L1.

It makes a very audible "dweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" noise, like a kettle on the boil if you use high with a 3.7v R123, so I don't use them.

On the other hand, every kind of R123 I've tried has fit into it. I'm going to order some of AW's new R123s and see if they fit too, just for curiosity's sake - they're going to be fueling my Mini-Mini HID ultimately.

 

[Valpo Hawkeye]

My ML1 hums on a protected cell as well. I had to take the sheath off of it and wrap it in scotch tape to get it to fit. I haven't used it for more than a few seconds with the RCR123.

 

[jumpstat]

Thanks guys for the info.

FYI, I did ask AW whether his new hi caps R123s can be used on a L1. According to him his cells can't be used due to the physical size of it not due to voltage anyway I not too sure whether the L1 can take such voltages. No use trying to get info from the original documents as it doesn't say much.

I really like my L1 and edc it often but I would not risk the humming unless I knew the right reason why it does that. Furthermore rechargeables have 'Guilt Free Lumens'

To those having the answers, please advice....

Thanks in advance.