Parallel 18650's with SSC P7

[poguy]

I would like to use 3-4 parallel 18650's for an SSC P7 light (Aurora SF-23).

My concern is that the current may be too high because the battery voltage won't droop under load, or at least not as much as with a single cell.

When people refer to direct drive, is that literal, or does it refer to a switching regulator that lacks inductors?

 

[Isthereanybodyoutthere]

I am not a expert ,but i once did read a thread about someone who DID use two 18650 DD =
buy some cheap 7135boards ,then you dont have to worry

Read here http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=195358

 

[VegasF6]

That light claims to be already regulated, plus it is a 5 mode, so it must have some sort of regulation. Parallel batteries should be no problem, electronically. I don't know what you have planned physically.

As to what direct drive refers too, that does seem to vary from person to person. I take it literally, led-battery. If a resistor is used then I would state it.

 

[kramer5150]

The examples of DD I have seen (milkyspit, nailbender) were literal... Cell=>P7. No resistance at all.

I have never seen one done with parallel cells, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Your safest bet would be to power a DC-DC circuit off the two cells... imho. Or try and find some cells with higher resistance. I have some Sonys in blue and green that I use to direct drive a single XR-E in one of my lights.

 

[J_C]

How do you plan to parallel multiple cells in that ready-made flashlight?

Worst comes to worst you can wire it up, and on first power-up you are measuring current so you can terminate the test immediately, hopefully no before you see if you need do something to limit current more.

Although I agree with VegasF6, with multi-mode you might still have too much current on the hi setting, "might" only means it is possible, I don't know the driver enough to predict whether it would or not. If you can pull the driver out and examine it, maybe you or someone else will have an idea about how it functions.