P60 + Li-Ion

[bstrickler]

Had anyone ever tried using an 18650/17670 with a P60?

If so, how long of a battery life should I expect?

I'm asking, because I don't want to spend $50-$100 on CR123's, just to be able to use the P60 lamp til it dies (esp when I could buy a new 6P at that price),

If I can get away with using 18650/17670's, even if its at a lower output, I'll be fine with it. I just want to save my 8 CR123's for emergency use with my LED dropin.



~Brian

 

[jake25]

I have a 17670 powering a P60 in a Surefire C2

It's a bit dim but defiantly useable, as for runtime I haven't tried testing it

 

[bstrickler]

I have a 17670 powering a P60 in a Surefire C2

It's a bit dim but defiantly useable, as for runtime I haven't tried testing it

I'm able to see 30+ feet away, which is good enough for me for general tasks, but if I can only get 15-30 minutes of runtime out of the lamp, I might consider selling it, or making a battery vampire out of it.

The main reason I won't keep a P60 lamp in my 6P is because it costs more than an LED dropin in the long run, and consumes more power (yes, I'm cheap.)

Edit: I just found an ancient thread stating how running the P60 down til the batteries are deas is bad for the bulb (some people reporting as little as 2 sets of batteries through the module before it goes ). I guess this question was pointless, since I may as well sell it to someone, and make a couple bucks, instead of letting it go to waste. (PM me if you want it. )

~Brian

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Had anyone ever tried using an 18650/17670 with a P60?

If so, how long of a battery life should I expect?

I'm asking, because I don't want to spend $50-$100 on CR123's, just to be able to use the P60 lamp til it dies (esp when I could buy a new 6P at that price),

If I can get away with using 18650/17670's, even if its at a lower output, I'll be fine with it. I just want to save my 8 CR123's for emergency use with my LED dropin.



~Brian

Buy a P60 incandescent lamp assembly made for 3.7v cells, problem solved. Check it out-->> http://www.lumensfactory.com/cart.php?cat_id=2&sub_cat_id=1

 

[Linger]

I've run the Lumen's factor EO-6 (6.v, equivalent of P60) with 18650 a few times when I wanted an incan but didn't want to blow my 123's. Subjective impression is that I had better results (whiter) with the IMR than other chemistry.
However reading about the halogen cycle / bulb failure, many CPF posts indicate that undervolting is just as degrading to the bulb as overvoltage; halogen cycle designed with-in specific parameters, including reaching an optimal running tempurature. YYMV, of course.
But if you're commited to incan, you may be best with the correct voltage for your application.

Buy a P60 incandescent lamp assembly made for 3.7v cells, problem solved. Check it out-->> http://www.lumensfactory.com/cart.ph...2&sub_cat_id=1

 

[bstrickler]

I've run the Lumen's factor EO-6 (6.v, equivalent of P60) with 18650 a few times when I wanted an incan but didn't want to blow my 123's. Subjective impression is that I had better results (whiter) with the IMR than other chemistry.
However reading about the halogen cycle / bulb failure, many CPF posts indicate that undervolting is just as degrading to the bulb as overvoltage; halogen cycle designed with-in specific parameters, including reaching an optimal running tempurature. YYMV, of course.
But if you're commited to incan, you may be best with the correct voltage for your application.

I ended up giving the P60 to a friend who's bulb just burned out (and didn't have money to buy a new one, either), so this thread will prove to be helpful to other people who are more dedicated to incan's than me (not very practical when you use it for maybe 30 minutes at a time, and don't always carry extra batteries).

I really appreciate the insight, though. I'll keep it in mind for future reference.

~Brian

 

[325addict]

When you have some money again, you really should try the P90 with two rechargeable 16340s
A 9V lamp is, together with a 3.7 or 4V lamp, the ONLY possibility to use with rechargeables. The 6V lamp just isn't very usable.

With the P90 lamp, you'll have half an hour of very bright, white light with two rechargeable AW 16340 protected black batteries

Timmo.

 

[bstrickler]

When you have some money again, you really should try the P90 with two rechargeable 16340s
A 9V lamp is, together with a 3.7 or 4V lamp, the ONLY possibility to use with rechargeables. The 6V lamp just isn't very usable.

With the P90 lamp, you'll have half an hour of very bright, white light with two rechargeable AW 16340 protected black batteries

Timmo.

Doesn't the P90 lamp pull a lot of current, almost to the limits of the RCR123 from AW? Or am I thinking of a diff Surefire dropin lamp?

Also, I'm not too keen on spending $1.20/hr running a bulb (assuming it has the same 25 hour lamp life that the P60 has). Maybe if I can find someone selling a used, but not burned out one, in the future, I'll bite. (Don't take it the wrong way. I like incans, but when you're on an extremely tight budget, its hard to justify spending $1.20/hr for light, when you can get a dropin for the same price, and spend about $0.001/hr + battery &charging cost, and not worry about the bulb burning out on you while you're doing something important)

~Brian

 

[nfetterly]

When you have some money again, you really should try the P90 with two rechargeable 16340s
A 9V lamp is, together with a 3.7 or 4V lamp, the ONLY possibility to use with rechargeables. The 6V lamp just isn't very usable.

With the P90 lamp, you'll have half an hour of very bright, white light with two rechargeable AW 16340 protected black batteries

Timmo.

I highly recommend the 9V P91 with 2x16340 IMR (red) cells. I have a AW 3 level soft start in the tail switch - I use that more more the multi level & "clicky" capability (doesn't really click).

I didn't notice what country people live in - but I've been buying the P91s in the marketplace for ~$15, some as low as $10 shipped, some as much as $20. I've got enough now. Haven't burned up the first one yet.

 

[325addict]

Then, when you have IMR-cells already, I would go for an even brighter setup: an FM D26 module with a WA1111 in it.
Of all these setups, there's really one disadvantage: the very short runtimes!

A P90 will draw 1.15A which is indeed quite close to the limit for a protected AW 16340, (real capacity is about 600mAh) but it does sustain the load well. It will have nearly twice the output of a P60 and will run for about half an hour.
The very first P90 I ever bought is still going strong. You'll need to use your flashlight very much to ruin a P90 on lifespan :twothumbs

A P90 in a C3 Centurion (with 2X 17500s that will not sag in so much, thus having more output but shorter bulb life) is still one of my most used incans. Despite the harder drive on 2X 17500s the bulb still lives on and on and on...

Timmo.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Doesn't the P90 lamp pull a lot of current, almost to the limits of the RCR123 from AW? Or am I thinking of a diff Surefire dropin lamp?

Also, I'm not too keen on spending $1.20/hr running a bulb (assuming it has the same 25 hour lamp life that the P60 has). Maybe if I can find someone selling a used, but not burned out one, in the future, I'll bite. (Don't take it the wrong way. I like incans, but when you're on an extremely tight budget, its hard to justify spending $1.20/hr for light, when you can get a dropin for the same price, and spend about $0.001/hr + battery &charging cost, and not worry about the bulb burning out on you while you're doing something important)

~Brian

The P90 is very economical, you must be confusing it with the P91.

 

[325addict]

indeed... the P91 draws 2.7 Amps(!)
The P90 only draws 1.15 Amps. So no problems for an AW black protected RCR123.
If you already have these batteries, AND a suitable host for the P90... then all I can say: GO FOR IT

And... don't buy one second-hand for more than a few Bucks. You can't be sure about its history, maybe you blow it after 2 hours... I would buy a new one. They can be had for about 10 to 15 dollars on CPF Marketplace. Check back often to see if one is for sale

You won't regret the buy of a P90 I'm sure. It's a very satisfying incan....


Timmo.

 

[bstrickler]

indeed... the P91 draws 2.7 Amps(!)
The P90 only draws 1.15 Amps. So no problems for an AW black protected RCR123.
If you already have these batteries, AND a suitable host for the P90... then all I can say: GO FOR IT

And... don't buy one second-hand for more than a few Bucks. You can't be sure about its history, maybe you blow it after 2 hours... I would buy a new one. They can be had for about 10 to 15 dollars on CPF Marketplace. Check back often to see if one is for sale

You won't regret the buy of a P90 I'm sure. It's a very satisfying incan....


Timmo.

I only have Trustfire 16340's (protected), a ton of 17670's, and a 6P light (converted to LED, to save $). No 9P yet. Maybe I'll get one when I get a job. It'd probably be after I accessorize my 6P, though (holster, filters, the whole works)

If I were to think of getting a 9P, I'd probably just get a P90 module that runs off 3.7 volts first, and see if I like it or not.

~Brian