Warning: This turned into a bit longer post than I intended...please, grab some :popcorn: and get comfy and continue reading.
I hope this is in the correct section as it does partially involve batteries. I have a recently purchased Olight M20 Warrior Premium R2 which I love so far. I have some questions about it.
Regarding the light output, I'm wondering what to expect as the batteries wear down. With the "low battery flash" having been disabled on the current M20's, how will the light react as it reaches lower voltages? On high for example, will the light output just gradually get fainter and fainter and then eventually just stop? Will the light get fainter to a certain point and then I'll lose High entirely and be left with Med and Low? Will it continue that pattern until low just eventually goes out to? Or, once a certain voltage is reached will it just go from High to shutting off completely? Will the light go from running on high and then reaching a certain low voltage level where it starts venting gas and flame :poof: and just generally ruining my day? Any insight on what to expect would be appreciated.
My next question involves batteries. From one of the reviews I read on CPF, it seemed to indicate that runtimes on High were best on 18650 batteries followed by CR123A batteries with RCR coming in last. Am I reading this correctly? Also, if I have my terms and limited understanding of concepts correct; it seems that the 123A batteries stay in regulation longer where as the 18650 seems to fall out of regulation almost right away. But yet you get the longest runtime (to 50%) with 18650. Why is this? Can regulation on a circuit be done with only one type of battery or is it the voltage which determines the regulation? Can you not have regulation with say primary CR123A's, RCR123A's and 18650's? Also, what causes a battery to fall out of regulation in the first place? Is it voltage level? This is all new to me so I'm still learning.
Ok, on to chargers. Right now I'm running some primary CR123's. What do people recommend for a charger if I switch to running either 18650's or RCR123A's? I have read a great deal about there not being a reliable charger out there where you can 'set it and forget it'. Is this still the case? I've read with great interest people putting together chargers in limited runs and selling them to CPF members. Are people still doing this? Is this the way to go and if so what do people recommend? I've also heard that chargers like the Pila (I believe that's the name) are pretty good for a lower end (non hobby) chargers. Please, can someone explain then what a hobby charger is and perhaps a recommendation to a good one if someone were to go that route. I understand the potential dangers with these batteries. I just can't believe there isn't (regardless of cost) a well made, reliable charger out there where you can just set it and forget it, it will shut off when the batteries are FULL, not close to full but full and not trickle charge which from what I've read these batteries don't like. Paying a bit more (or even a lot) for reliability, safety, ease of use and peace of mind would be just fine with me. Oh, one final question (I promise..for now). Regarding the 'O' rings and threads on the M20, what do people recommend to use to lube them? While there is 'some' lube on the threads and rings now, I think it could use a 'slight' bit more. Sorry this is so long but thank you in advance for any answers or recommendations anyone can provide.
I've done a lot of reading here and the wealth of knowledge and creativity here is quite amazing.
I hope this is in the correct section as it does partially involve batteries. I have a recently purchased Olight M20 Warrior Premium R2 which I love so far. I have some questions about it.
Regarding the light output, I'm wondering what to expect as the batteries wear down. With the "low battery flash" having been disabled on the current M20's, how will the light react as it reaches lower voltages? On high for example, will the light output just gradually get fainter and fainter and then eventually just stop? Will the light get fainter to a certain point and then I'll lose High entirely and be left with Med and Low? Will it continue that pattern until low just eventually goes out to? Or, once a certain voltage is reached will it just go from High to shutting off completely? Will the light go from running on high and then reaching a certain low voltage level where it starts venting gas and flame :poof: and just generally ruining my day? Any insight on what to expect would be appreciated.
My next question involves batteries. From one of the reviews I read on CPF, it seemed to indicate that runtimes on High were best on 18650 batteries followed by CR123A batteries with RCR coming in last. Am I reading this correctly? Also, if I have my terms and limited understanding of concepts correct; it seems that the 123A batteries stay in regulation longer where as the 18650 seems to fall out of regulation almost right away. But yet you get the longest runtime (to 50%) with 18650. Why is this? Can regulation on a circuit be done with only one type of battery or is it the voltage which determines the regulation? Can you not have regulation with say primary CR123A's, RCR123A's and 18650's? Also, what causes a battery to fall out of regulation in the first place? Is it voltage level? This is all new to me so I'm still learning.
Ok, on to chargers. Right now I'm running some primary CR123's. What do people recommend for a charger if I switch to running either 18650's or RCR123A's? I have read a great deal about there not being a reliable charger out there where you can 'set it and forget it'. Is this still the case? I've read with great interest people putting together chargers in limited runs and selling them to CPF members. Are people still doing this? Is this the way to go and if so what do people recommend? I've also heard that chargers like the Pila (I believe that's the name) are pretty good for a lower end (non hobby) chargers. Please, can someone explain then what a hobby charger is and perhaps a recommendation to a good one if someone were to go that route. I understand the potential dangers with these batteries. I just can't believe there isn't (regardless of cost) a well made, reliable charger out there where you can just set it and forget it, it will shut off when the batteries are FULL, not close to full but full and not trickle charge which from what I've read these batteries don't like. Paying a bit more (or even a lot) for reliability, safety, ease of use and peace of mind would be just fine with me. Oh, one final question (I promise..for now). Regarding the 'O' rings and threads on the M20, what do people recommend to use to lube them? While there is 'some' lube on the threads and rings now, I think it could use a 'slight' bit more. Sorry this is so long but thank you in advance for any answers or recommendations anyone can provide.
I've done a lot of reading here and the wealth of knowledge and creativity here is quite amazing.
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