nubie to these tac lights I got ??s

[Buckwheat]

Hi guys,,,just got registered to this forum, and I have never owned a light like this before. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10854

But I have one now, and last night was my first experience, and the light output was interesting to say the least.

Right after I purchased it I ran to Wally World and got a couple of Lithium battery's and slipped them in and WOW !! what a bright light.

Reading further I found out that the best way to go is to use the LI-ion batterys,,,,(RCR123) The specs on the light read like this
"Input Voltage 3.6-9V(2x3.0/3.6v CR123A" Here are some Question's I have.........
So does this mean I can use the RCR123 LI-ion battery's ??

What is the appx run time on the LI-ion battery??

Are Nicad's made in CR123???

What are all the designation's indicating creeP4, creeQ5 creeQ4 creeR-2 I see these on different lights.

Last but not least question-----can I replace the bulb or whatever it is that you call it when it burns out.??

Bear with me,,,Iam just trying to figure all of this stuff out and what means what :smiles"

Later Lee

 

[kosPap]

buckwheat wellcome!!!

man you have taken a dive and you do not know hoe deep and big a sea!

You have many things to sort out and all your answers will be answered here
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=172991

have a good reading!

sorry I do not have more time to cover your questions specifically....

all the best, Kostas

 

[Marduke]

kosPap's link to the welcome mat will answer most of your questions.

But I'll take a quick stab at some of your questions which would take more digging.

Yes, you can use RCR123's in your light.

Runtime on RCR123's is usually about 2/3 compared to CR123 primaries.

No, all CR123/RCR123 cells are some variety of lithium technology. At least 3 different lithium chemistries come to mind. NiCads are a different chemistry which provides a different voltage.

The different Cree designations are bin codes, basically a grading scale of how efficient that particular LED is. More detail in the Welcome Mat.

Yes, you can replace the LED, but LED's don't burn out like incan bulbs do. So you only need to replace it if you want something brighter or a different tint later down the road.

Oh, and :welcome:

 

[abarth_1200]

:welcome:

welcome aboard

you will never be in the dark again but always will you be poor

 

[Gunner12]

:welcome:

Yes, you can use RCR123s batteries in the light. Many 3.0v RCR123s are just 3.6/3.7v RCR123s with a circuit to lower the voltage.

Runtime is probably around 2/3 to half the runtime on CR123s but you can charge the batteries :grin:

NiCds are a different chemistry and have a different voltage. 1.2v vs 3.6/3.7v of Li-ions.

Cree is a LED company. XR-E is the model of LED used in you light. P4, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, R2 are flux (output/efficiency) bins for the LED. The higher the bin the more efficient and bright the LED is. There are also tint bins to sort out the different tints that are created by the manufacturing process. This thread has tint and flux bins for most Highpower LEDs.

For your light, if the LED somehow burns out(probably due to the driver malfunctioning instead of the LED) then changing it would require soldering and thermal compound.

 

[kosPap]

well now I have some time to explain some basics on battery voltage...

Your flashlights is3.6-9V nominal....

that means that it can use

One Li-Ion R(echargable)CR123 battery that is nominal 3.6V

Two RCR123 = 3.6x2-7.2

2 CR123 (non rechargable) Li-Ion = 2x3= 9 volts

3 CR123 (non rechargable) Li-Ion = 3x3= 9 volts

But did you notice I used nominal ?

that is meant to say that the actual battery voltage on operation is not what the specs say, but lower. In case of the CR123 it is about 2.6 volts under modern flashlight conditions. Sorry but I do not know the common RCR123 working voltage.

Now after frequenting this forum you will start taking the grasp of things. Just read!

Enjoy, Kostas

 

[Buckwheat]

Thanks Guys's

The posts were very informative to say the least, and will do some good reading on the subjects.

I guess I need to get a charger pack (4) to get my Li-ion supply going, there are a couple of wholesale 'Bat suppliers around my city and I will ck them out for price and such. I know I need to be cautious of the charger I use.


Thanks :smiles:

Lee

 

[kosPap]

well you got to be cautious of your charger too...

Most uesd here is the Ultrafire WF-139 available from almost everywhere.

(and as a plug to one of our own a guy over the marketplace section (AW) sells this along with very good Li-Ion batts)