Request for U2 runtime graph with Pila cell

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I was just looking through the runtime graphs again.

I don't think the U2 is inefficient now.. on the other hand I think it has *UNBELIEVABLE* efficiency if what I'm seeing is right.

My KL1 (stock, 350mA, NX05 just like the day it came) delivers full power for 4.5 hours on a 2-cell power pack. The KL1 is also just a hair brighter than the U2's level 3. I did the comparisons and beamshots in another thread.

The thing is, on level 3, the U2 delivers an AWESOME 650 minutes in regulation, and that's nearly 11 hours. I'm not counting tails of light here. I'm counting regulated minutes.

Even when I crank it up to level 4 where it stomps the KL1 flat, it does so at a runtime of 6 hours! That's still 90 minutes longer, plus brighter. All comparisons on SF123As.

I guess they really meant it when they said "High-output or long runtime: now you have can have both."

The thought of 11 hours of runtime at KL1 levels is mind-bending. Suddenly there's no such thing as "it eats batteries too fast".
 
Kevin,

That sounds very impressive indeed. Would you say that level 5 on Li-Ion is brighter than an L4 or L5? (can't remember if you've got one of those)

Jan
 
I was having naughty thoughts about buying an L4 today because the U2 is so big, but really, I think I'd be disappointed if I did, so I'd better not /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

There is only one real problem: I can't concealed-carry the U2 in a shirt and a tie. I can tell you it's a Good Thing(tm) I don't wear a shirt and tie often.

Maybe I'll see if one of the local flashaholics have an L4.

My only other data points : a TW0L Lux3 driven at 750mA is a little brighter than level 4, and dimmer than level 5.

My WX1U LuxV driven at 917mA is slightly dimmer than Level 6 on SF123s, and equal to level 6 on 18650s.

The CM-modified KL1 (500mA/NX05/R2K) on two cell power pack is brighter than level 3, close to level 4 but not quite thete. Level 4 is still brighter. You should be familiar with this particular KL1..:D
 
Oh yes, I can see from your other posts that it has found a good home /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jan
 
That's really interesting information, Kevin. Thanks a lot /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
KevinL said:
[ QUOTE ]
turbodog said:
Has anyone tried an 18650 BARE cell? Someone posted that the light appears to have protection built-in for that cell so that may very well be what surefire plans on supplying later on.

[/ QUOTE ]

mmmmm? someone callin' my name? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

ALL my work with the U2 has been done on either primary cells (non-rechargeable 123s) or the 18650s.

I've confirmed that the light wlil not deep-discharge an unprotected cell, it will not even fire on 3.0V, not even on level 1. The 'danger' threshhold for lithium ions is 2.5V, so this should still be reasonably safe.

[/ QUOTE ]
KevinL:

I just tore apart a notebook PC battery pack, so I have some Panasonic CGR18650H cells. Searched and found this thread but I'm a bit confused! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

The U2 takes 2x123 and the 18650 is larger in diameter than a Pila 168S and shorter! How are you using them in the U2? Am I missing something?
 
Bill,

You talkin bout these? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
18650.jpg


I also came across Panasonic cells. Just out of curiosity, what brand/model of laptop donated these cells? Mine came from an IBM X21.

U2 at feeding time:
u2feeding.jpg


The cells must be fed from the front. There is a contact ring in the back that prevents the large-diameter cells from being loaded (however you can still rear-load CR123s)
 
[ QUOTE ]
KevinL said:
Bill,

You talkin bout these? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
18650.jpg


I also came across Panasonic cells. Just out of curiosity, what brand/model of laptop donated these cells? Mine came from an IBM X21.

U2 at feeding time:
u2feeding.jpg


The cells must be fed from the front. There is a contact ring in the back that prevents the large-diameter cells from being loaded (however you can still rear-load CR123s)

[/ QUOTE ]
KevinL:

They are CGR18650H from a WinBook Si2 which hardly ever ran on batteries and was replaced under warranty once!

Geez, I just ordered a U2 too! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Got have a place to use these cells. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/broke.gif
 
Very nice. I think you'll get many, many hours of fun out of the U2 and the cells.

As you may have noticed me mentioning earlier in the thread, some of these salvaged cells are in very poor health. If you notice particularly poor performance on level 6, suspect the cells.

And if all else fails, buy more primary cells /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
KevinL said:
Very nice. I think you'll get many, many hours of fun out of the U2 and the cells.

As you may have noticed me mentioning earlier in the thread, some of these salvaged cells are in very poor health. If you notice particularly poor performance on level 6, suspect the cells.

And if all else fails, buy more primary cells /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
KevinL:

There is still something different! Are your CGR18650HGL as long as a Pila 168S or 68mm? These CGR18650H are about 3/16" or so if I remember correctly, shorter than my Pila 168S! This plan isn't going to work out! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

EDIT: I found some info that stated that a CGR18650H was 18.3mm x 65mm which is 3mm shorted than a 168S.
 
2xR123 will seriously overdrive and possibly smoke the LED in a U2, especially since the voltage of a topped-off R123 is over 4 volts.
 
you could go with the 3v rechargable 123s that JSBurlys sells. Does anyone know if these work in the U2?
 
Hm, this is very interesting.

I am primarily using 2400 mAh bare 18650 cells from batterySpace.
I can maintain a about 1 hour and 20 minutes or more, on level 6.
It does dim alittle over the runtime, but not by much. So it seems its not completely regulated in level 6

2x123 level 6 = 1777 Lux
18650 level 6 = 1495 lux

So you loose alittle peack brightness, but its worth not burning up 123s in it.

I also took the bare 18650 cells out of my old Dell laptop.
4 out of the 12 cells read 0V, so, I dont use those, but the other 8 are not doing bad.
I am not sure of there exact runtimes yet though, I think somewhere around an hour.

~John
 
Cells that work in my U2:

CR123A

Pila 168A
Pila 168S

18650

17650

With a battery extender I can use:

Pila 150A
Pila 150S

Which is better? Run time would be the bigger cells like the 18650 and 168A.

For weight savings a smaller cell would be better. The U2 with an 18650 cell weighs 6.4 oz. and with a smaller 150S cell the light weighs 5.8 oz. Yes; you can feel the weight savings.
 
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