newbie question, please don't hurt me.

[tman11]

Being relatively new to the flashlight scene over the past year or so, and recently joining CPF, I am having trouble figuring out some battery issues.
I recently purchased a Cree XRE 3.7 -13V D26 130 lum and an XRE 3.7-13V D26 HO LED 170 lum from PTS. I plan on putting them in my SF C2 lights (once they arrive), one which I use for work in the Emergency Room.

I've been looking for a rechargable battery system to use and am completely ignorant regarding which is best to use. Do different rechargeables(18650/17670???) or the regular CR123s have different run times or output? I don't really understand regulated or non regulated, protected or non protected, and my brain nearly exploded onto the screen after reading this thread on the new D26 cree lamps. :sick2:
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=164201

I would appreciate any advice or links to help me understand this information overload. I promise I'm not stupid, I'm just having trouble finding my college physics book from many years ago. Thanks for being patient with this newbie.

Tman11

 

[LED61]

Welcome to CPF tman11, no one is treated as stupid in this forum, enjoy!!

The lamps you purchased from PTS are regulated, as they are designed to give a determined lumen output in a voltage range. The C2 and most Surefire lights will not take 18 mm dia cells. That is what the first two digits in the battery mean. But, mos will take 17 mm. Generally speaking, surefire lights are pretty much a primary battery light, but there is ways around it and most 17 mm batteries fit snugly. They are all rechargeable, meaning Li ion chemistry, with an initial operating voltage of 3.7 V. You can use up to three of these in series for your Cree D26 lamps, and the circuit regulating current for the predetermined lumen output. Use only protected Li ions, they are much safer and you will only sacrifice a little capacity and slightly more costly.

Good luck!!

 

[BVH]

I'm a real laymen so hows this for "protected cell".

Each battery has built into it, a miniature "circuit breaker" (which automatically resets when tripped or sometimes takes current from a charger to reset it) that stops the power from flowing (opens the circuit) under conditions of 1. Too much power being drawn out of it. 2. Too much power being put into it (by a charger) and 3. When it reaches its safe discharge point. I gotta be close, right?

Regulated means you'll get the same brightness out of the light until the battery is discharged. There is no dimming until the battery is discharged...well, sort of. Frequently, an LED light will drop from say...100% brightness to maybe 5% brightness (called "moon mode") but we don't count that as "dimming". (Not sure who the "we" is, yet) A non regulated light will continually dim from the moment you turn it on until the battery is discharged.

Run times are closely related to battery capacity or Milliamp hours (MAH) You should see ratings on the battery like 600, 1600, or 2500. This is typically the Milliamp hour rating/capacity. The higher the number, the longer the runtime will be given the same bulb/LED. Be sure to use a cell/combination of cells with/to obtain the right voltage for your bulb/LED. Putting cells end-to-end (+ touching the -) will double your voltage but give you the same MAH rating. Hope I haven't been too basic.

 

[zapper]

I live on the north side of Houston by Beltway 8 and Veterans Memorial. If that info still has gone past you maybe I can show you a few batteries and chargers. LED61 and BVH have it pretty much wrapped up in a nutshell. Keep asking, it's the way to learn after due diligence.

 

[tman11]

Thank you so much for your responses. This is making so much more sense now and I appreciate your help. I'll post more when I get the new drop ins and will let you know how it goes!!:twothumbs