Need recommendation for 17500 cell for Vital Gear 3 light

[ampdude]

A little back story, first I have some Vital Gear 3 bodies, one I use for EDC. Awhile back I sold the two AW P17500 cells I was using in anticipation of IMR17500 cells becoming available. They have never become available, so I ended up purchasing another set of P17500's from AW a few months ago. Unfortunately the specifications of the cells have changed and now they are longer than the older P17500 cells.

The older cells I'm referring to are the ones with the white tops, and some of the older ones with black tops. The current cells have black tops, but some of the old black top cells were shorter. So the new longer cells work fine in my Surefire C3, but not in the intended light, the Vital Gear 3. I asked AW if the specs are going to stay the same and if the cells are going to stay longer and he said yes. So I decided to try out a pair of Pila 300S cells. These are Pila's version of the 17500 sized cells. I received them yesterday, and unfortunately they are even longer than the AW P17500 cells. Not only that, they are larger in diameter and won't even fit into the Vital Gear 3 body, though they do fit into my Surefire C3.

So I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do. Either I need to find a pair of 17500 cells that fit, or I have to retire my favorite EDC. The only thing I can think of besides trying to locate an older set of AW cells is to try an unprotected cell, but I really don't want to do that. Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[VidPro]

Find out what the natural cut-Off is for the light. natural, meaning if it is using a boost or a buck, hook it up to 2xAA nimhy type voltages and see if it runs even.
if the light itself will cut-off before 2.5-3.0 then rip off the protection, and treat it right. have a perfectly tested charger to charge it.

that trick only works with some lights often the 2x123 variety that dont boost. then you pull before it goes down to low, or when it is dimming a lot and recharge.

a 16400 with protection, dont even think those exist, but you can shift the protection from the other.

there are 2 threads that i know of that have many Size differentials both height and fatness , but only for the 18650 sizes, so that dont help you none.

 

[ampdude]

Hello VidPro, I run the 9 volt Lumens Factory EO-E2R lamp assembly in a Surefire E-series type III anodized head when I edc the light. 2AA (though they rattle in this body) cells will run a low voltage LED head like the KX1, but that's not what I would like to use, I'd like to stick with my old tried and true setup.

 

[VidPro]

ok well that was the TEST, if 2XAA cells run, then the li-ion would NEED protection. you cant EASILY get away with unprotected.
oh a PAIR, so your running these in series too. and any extra length gets long fast.

 

[VidPro]

i think i might have a clue.
AW added the new plastic ring washer thing into his cells, this keeps the protection board from breaking, and or shorting, or the chips from being damaged.
it also added a teeny bit of extra length to them. Soo that might be which cell items your referring to, pre-cambrian , those would be very old.

then you get pilas, which are also extra carefull with thier protection assembly.

so get some cheap junk instead or, just buy some battery shrink wrap, razer through the old wrap, carefully lift the protection board, remove the spacer, then put some suitable insulation ring in there, then wrap it back up and heat shrink it. then you just have to be carefull with dropping it and all.

 

[ampdude]

I received the PILA 300S cells a couple of weeks ago. They are both too large in diameter and too long for the VG3.

I received the Ultrafire 17500 gray cells from DX today. They will fit in the tube, but they are also too long. And one of the cells I received from DX is D.O.A. even after parallel shorting the protection circuit with the other cell.

So as of now, the only cells that will work in my VG3 are three primaries, or two IMR16340/RCR123a cells and a spacer. I'll be putting a WTB ad up in the Marketplace looking for some older AW P17500 cells.

THE SAGA CONTINUES...

 

[Raoul_Duke]

Not 100% sure if this is safe, So not suggesting you should just do it now, but I'm interested to know how would removing one protection circuit from one of the cells affect over-discharge of each individual cell, and protect against reverse charge of either of the two in series.

It has to be better than 2 unprotected cells? :thinking:

 

[ampdude]

It might give an early warning, but I'm not brave enough to disassemble a lithium ion. Since all the protected cells have gotten longer, I think I might be stuck with the unprotected 17500 or the previously mentioned configuration at this point, unless Vital Gear releases a slightly longer version of their FB3 to account for the new longer protected cells. But most of the time we are just lucky to get a run of Vital Gear parts at all.

 

[Raoul_Duke]

V.G. folded ages ago AFAIK. Glad I got a few while they were about.

 

[ampdude]

There is a guy who has been selling them in B/S/T lately, someone has been making small runs for him. I did originally buy my VG3 from that one shop in Hong Kong whose name escapes me about several years ago. I picked up another one from someone in B/S/T. The VG3 is still my favorite EDC light, it is so size efficient, and has just the right size and pocket clip.

 

[Raoul_Duke]

Supreme Co..:thumbsup:

I didn't know they were new runs, presumed new old Stock. The CPF seller ( LightKnot) is A1.

Havent EDC'd the VG3 all that much, but its a good light, ran the VG F2 head on it with a P90 or P91 back in the day.
I EDC the 2 cell black with E2D head and F2 rebel dropin.

VG's design is sweet, such a shame they weren't 18mm in from the tailcap, as there is room.

The clip is the best flashlight clip I have used ever.

If I were you Id look into D26 options for it, A different head would free up some internal space, but then you have a differnt option of LE's/ Lamps and then the use IMR/RCR 123's instead
The malkoff E seried head may work if you like the slim head.....................I just ran and checked and its a nice feeling set up, but the anno is mismatched.

VG never did a Black VB3

 

[ampdude]

Well just to update this old thread, shao.fu.tzer in the CPF Marketplace might have a line on some IMR17500's (and some other cool stuff) in the not too distant future.

I'm keeping an eye on that!