SF KL5 Head - Rechargeable Solution?

[jumpstat]

To L5/KL5 owners. I scored an KL5 head from CPFMarketplace recently,

Any problem being driven by :-

1xP17670, 1xP18650, 2xR123a, 2xP17670, 2xP18650 AW's rechargeables?

:wave: Thanks in advance...

 

[Ty_Bower]

KL5 was designed to be a two (primary) cell head. I'd expect it should work fine with a single li-ion cell. I don't think I'd try running it on two li-ion cells - it would probably go direct drive and run the LuxV too hard.

I seem to recall there was a thread a while back discussing the KL5 and KL6 heads. There was some debate over whether it was safe to run two li-ion cells. I think there was also some conjecture that not all KL5 heads used the same circuit - some might be safe, while others might not. I'd recommend finding that thread and reading it before you try.

edit: I think this is the thread: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=121716

 

[ampdude]

Most Sure-Fire LED heads are safe with two lithium ion batteries. I think there is one that is not, but I can't recall which one.

 

[hburner]

I used to run mine off of 2 17500's, 2 18500's and or 2 18650's with no problems. It would also run fine off of just 1 18650. I wish I would have kept that light now and put a P4 in it :shakehead, 2cts worth_hb/

 

[jumpstat]

Thanks guys. And also for the link ty.

Just found out that the KL5 is also a suitable for C3, 9P and Z3 so that means 3x primaries @9v. I plan to couple it with a Leef 2x18650 body and SW02.

Cheers and have a nice weekend!

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Here I go again. Some KL5's with high vf leds seem to run fine with two LiIon's. My KL5 with two LiIon's runs severely in overdrive, runs direct drive, by passing regulation circuit, and.......runs too hot. Light output is about 1.75X with one 17650 or two CR123's.

A simple test using a DMM. Measure current at tailcap using 10A or 20A amp DC setting. If the current with two LiIon's is significantly higher than two CR123's then the KL5 is not in regulation, and is running direct drive. Never mind what Surefire says about using it in 3 CR123 configuration bodies, the KL5 has a boost circuit for regulation and v in should be less than vf of led.

I have considered responses that people make about SF warranting the KL5, but do you really want to send your light back to SF for repair or replacement? The output of my KL5 is awesome with one 18650 (TB body), and runs relatively cool throughout its two hour flat runtime.

Like I said in the first paragraph, some Kl5's seem to do ok with two LiIon's. Just run that little simple test and you will know how your KL5 reponds to two LiIon's.

Bill

 

[jumpstat]

Here I go again. Some KL5's with high vf leds seem to run fine with two LiIon's. My KL5 with two LiIon's runs severely in overdrive, runs direct drive, by passing regulation circuit, and.......runs too hot. Light output is about 1.75X with one 17650 or two CR123's.

A simple test using a DMM. Measure current at tailcap using 10A or 20A amp DC setting. If the current with two LiIon's is significantly higher than two CR123's then the KL5 is not in regulation, and is running direct drive. Never mind what Surefire says about using it in 3 CR123 configuration bodies, the KL5 has a boost circuit for regulation and v in should be less than vf of led.

I have considered responses that people make about SF warranting the KL5, but do you really want to send your light back to SF for repair or replacement? The output of my KL5 is awesome with one 18650 (TB body), and runs relatively cool throughout its two hour flat runtime.

Like I said in the first paragraph, some Kl5's seem to do ok with two LiIon's. Just run that little simple test and you will know how your KL5 reponds to two LiIon's.

Bill

Thanks for the tip. I am planning to use either P17670 or P18650. But its good to know what can and cannot be used with the KL5. Cheers.

 

[Strauss]

For what it's worth I have ran my KL5 head on 2x li-ion cells with no problems what-so-ever. But I mainly just leave it on my L5 body.....and it's going to be taking a trip to Milky land soon :tinfoil: