Lithium "N" Cells?

[Osprey_Guy]

Lithium \"N\" Cells?

A couple of weeks ago, (prior to joining these forums and learning better), I bought a 3 watt, whuch takes N cell batteries.
Black Diamond 3 X N - 3 watt

Like I said, I was still very naive (not that I'm "oh so knowledgeable" after just 2 weeks in the CPF), and I actually believed the following warning they have posted on the above linked page:

<font color="red"> "Watch out for Chinese flashlights that use CR123 Lithium batteries as they only last 2 hours & cost $10! You can use regular N batteries & even rechargeable's! CR123's are also hard to find in the U.S., let alone internationally." </font>

Anyway, I've got this light and I'd like to find lithium batteries for it,...is there such a thing? I've yet to locate any. (At some point I may decide to invest in rechargeables, but I'm not yet sure this light is worth the effort and expense).

Thanks.

 

[Doug S]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

I am unaware of any lithium chemistry cells in the "N" form factor. I *do* know that there are at least a few modders than would be very pleased if they were to become available in any of the lithium chemistries that support high drain rates [LiMnO2, LiSO2, or li-ion].

 

[flashlight]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

Not sure about lithium n cells but if you want NiMH rechargeables see here.

 

[LED_ASAP]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

You may be able to find a single Li-ion cell that is similar in size or smaller than 3xN, and it will supply your Lux-III by itself.

 

[Doug S]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

[ QUOTE ]
LED_ASAP said:
You may be able to find a single Li-ion cell that is similar in size or smaller than 3xN, and it will supply your Lux-III by itself.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, LED_ASAP, speaking of small Li-ion, the Chinese battery maker GP does have a published spec for a cell that is the length of an "N" but about 1mm smaller in diameter. Their model number is GP1029L18 and measures 10.5mmX29mm. Typical capacity is listed as 180 mAHr. I've never actually seen one.

 

[andrewwynn]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

i did an exhaustive search for lithium n sized batteries to no avail.. there are NiMH batteries which is likely your only option.. i did find and by some '2Np' batteries which are 3V lithium batteries that are the size of 2 Ns stacked, for my 2-n peak light. planning to couple with a micro puck driver and get about 1.5W output.

I think you'll be stuck with NiMH or bulk buy on alkaline Ns

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

I have an old tekna microlite that uses 2N cells and a 222 bulb I have been considering modding for a AA and 4-5 LEDs
with a boost circuit. I stop buying N cells long before the internet was a viable place to look and 222 bulbs are not worth burning up N cells over IMO.

 

[Osprey_Guy]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

Well I guess that answers my question about lithium N cells.

About a month ago (pre-CPF), I purchased a Rayovac 15 minute charger...It's only good with their "I-C3" AA or AAA batteries (at least for the 15 minute quick charge)...It will handle other rechargeable AA's and AAA's, but it requires an overnight charge. In any case it's no help here (although the Rayovac NiMh AAA's are working great in my Dorcy One watt). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I've really been digging on my Q-III and have been thinking of going with rechargeable 123's for it...I haven't looked into it yet, but is there a charger for 123's that will also accomodate "N" cells (nothing too exotic, as in I don't want it to cost me an arm and a leg)? With my penchant for smaller flashlights, I can easily imagine having additional, future requirements for more 123 batteries. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif But I have no intention of purchasing a separate charger just for those N cells...In my opinion, my "Black Diamond", 3X N, 3 watt flashlight is only "fair", and not worth the extra expense.

 

[flashlight]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

Osprey_Guy, if you see the link I posted, there's an adapter that allows you to charge the N cell NiMH in most AA chargers, not sure about CR123 to N cell though.

 

[LED_ASAP]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

I was thinking about AAA-sized Li-Ion and a spacer/paper wrap to make up the difference.

 

[andrewwynn]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

One possibility for a mod of the 3-N light.. is to cut it down to 2-N.. you could use rechargeable Ns x 2 or you could use the lithium double-N battery, which would be great for a 'stash in the car' solution which is what i got mine for... long shelf life, decent little flashlight.

-awr

 

[Osprey_Guy]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

I appreciate all the response...So far those adapters for rechargeable N cells sound the easiest for me.

Hate to be the "village idiot", but I'm still way too new to understand what you guys mean by some of these battery mods. Spacer/paper wraps for AAA's?,...cutting down to 2-N's?,...I can guess what they mean, but haven't a clue as to how to go about it.

 

[andrewwynn]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

oh.. we are talking about more complicated things.. like cutting the body of your light, and putting new threads on it.. definitely an advanced mod. the spacer/paper means.. using LiON AAAs in place of the N's.. you could probably fit 2 AAAs in place of 3N, but they are thinner so you need to space them by wrapping with paper, etc.. depending on the length, that actually could be a fine mod.. 2 series AAA LiONs can output over 3W.

-awr

 

[cy]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

"IF" N cell li-ion would be available. would be an interesting fit for TNC N-cell light.

TNC AA uses the same ARC mania mini-sammie and I've been driving it with 14500. Excellent results, very brite drawing 850 milliamps.

 

[3rd_shift]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

A pair of Energizer lithium aaa batteries from your local retailer may be the easiest fix for that 3n light.
2 aaa batteries fit perfect in the same flashlight as 3 N cells.
They should also have just the right amount of power for those leds.
If successful, then just put that light in the glovebox.
Energizer lithium aa and aaa batteries are quite rugged for a car environment.

I have had rechargeable N cells from www.battlepack.com (loose cells webpage) perform strongly too.
Maybe a bit too strongly. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mpr.gif

 

[flashlight]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

[ QUOTE ]
cy said:
"IF" N cell li-ion would be available. would be an interesting fit for TNC N-cell light.

TNC AA uses the same ARC mania mini-sammie and I've been driving it with 14500. Excellent results, very brite drawing 850 milliamps.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that the TNC-MJ-LLW (or is that MJ-TNC-LLW)?

 

[cy]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

TNC - LLW-MJ, huge performance difference. note mini-sammie probably comes with a R2H. vf is too low to be recommended for li-ion use.

it's been working fine for me, but if you blow things up doing this. don't blame me or ARC mania.

 

[Osprey_Guy]

Re: Lithium \"N\" Cells?

I've been sidetracked with some other stuff for the past couple of days...I'm just now getting back to this subject.

Regarding this from Steven (3rd_shift):
[ QUOTE ]
A pair of Energizer lithium aaa batteries from your local retailer may be the easiest fix for that 3n light.
2 aaa batteries fit perfect in the same flashlight as 3 N cells.
They should also have just the right amount of power for those leds.

[/ QUOTE ]

With all the gadgets in my house, I always have a heck of a lot of batteries on hand...But for some crazy reason, I couldn't find any lithium AAA's in my stash!?! Must have used up the last of 'em and forgot to replenish. Anyway, out of curiosity I tried replacing the 3 N's with what I do have on hand... 2 of the Energizer E-2 "Titanium" AAA's. There is a slight difference in diameter (For the width- The N's are about .445" and the AAA's are slimmer at .405"...And for the length- the 3X N's are approx. 3.507" end-to-end, while 2 AAA's are a hair shorter at about 3.486"). These dimensions are close enough that there doesn't seem to be any need for a spacer.

The 2X "Titanium" Alkaline AAA's were able to light the flashlight no problem (I bought them about a month ago, so they're plenty fresh)...but to my eye the beam appears to be no more than 1/2 as bright as with the Duracel 3X N's (which after a couple of quick uses of the flashlight over the past few days, they now have at a few minutes of run time).

Until I get to the store to pick up some of the Energizer Lithium AAA's (as recommended by Steven), I was wondering if I could/should try my Rayovac I-C3 version (15 minute rechargeable), NiMh AAA's. Any reason why I shouldn't give 'em a try? Can they hurt the flashlight in any way?

BTW-
I have to admit, my earliest assessment of this "Black Diamond" 3X N, 3 watt flashlight was probably a bit too harsh. Although I'm not at all as attached to it in the way I am my Q-III, once I replaced the original N cells with the Duracel Alkaline "Medical" N cells, it's throwing a pretty decent light. It's nowhere near as clean and white as my Q-III, but still ,it's not too shabby. And with a hotter, more narrow center, it's probably better suited for certain applications over the Q-III. For $40 bucks, the fit and finish seems fairly good...Shape is reminiscent of a comparable-sized Maglight (For my taste, at 6 1/4" it is just a bit too long for an EDC, but the width is good (the body is a mere 3/4" with the diameter of the head at 1 1/8"in) ...and I do like the soft "clickie" on the handle, up near the head of the light.

At the very least, it is good for the glovebox.