Suggested batteries for new Elzettas, HDS, Malkoffs, etc.

[fwafwow]

Maybe I'm overthinking this (because I'm bored waiting on my deliveries), but I thought I would ask in case some batteries work better for certain flashlights. The new (to me) lights are numbered below. Please let me know if there are any specific batteries you suggest I get. (I also confirmed what NOT to use for the Malkoff MDC.)

1. Elzetta Alpha, Bones and EDC-AA (all inbound)
2. Malkoff M61 High/Low Switch MD2 Flashlight (inbound)
3. Malkoff MDC AA (arriving today - current battery unknown)
4. HDS Rotary (currently holding an efest 700 mAh IMR 16340)

I have Battery Station CR123As (4) inbound with the Elzettas, and quite a few Surefire CR123As on hand.

I also have a couple of existing flashlights with batteries - in case any of these can be improved or would facilitate interchange with the above:

• ZL H600c Mk IV with a an unknown (red) IMR 18650 3500 mAh (pictured below);
• ZL SC64w HI with Sanyo NCR18650GA 3500mAh 10A 18650;
• SkyLumen XVIII with Samsung INR 18650-30Q; and
• SkyLumen SL2c using a KeepPower IMR 18350 1200mAh

I also have a two other/extra 18650 batteries - a NiteCore NL 1834 3400 mAh and unknown brand (green pictured below). And after going through this exercise, I realize that one of these may be a backup for my Cloud Defensive OWL....

 

[thermal guy]

For your AA I'd use energizer lithium 91's. For the rest protected keeppower's.

 

[PaladinNO]

For AA / AAA, I swear by Panasonic (former Sanyo) Eneloop and Eneloop Pro, depending on the usecase.
For 18650, I prefer the protected Nitecore NL1835HP (there is a newer NL1836HP) or the unprotected Molicel INR18650-M35A.

Personally, I prefer not having lights that require many different types of battery formats (for example 16340, 26650, 14500).
That makes it easier to charge and maintain a reasonable battery park. For me, that means only having AA / AAA, 18650 and 21700 lights.
I am also trying to have a limited set of different battery brands / models for consistency.

...And finding a charger that takes the longer, protected 21700 cells proved harder than I thought. But the Nitecore UMS2 and UMS4 takes them. The i-series does not take them, it only fits the unprotected ones.

Top tip:
If you have a light that takes 2x CR123, see if it accepts a 16650* cell as well. But be mindful of the increased voltage - some lights can handle it, others not.

EDIT:
*16650 cell - NOT 18350.

 

[thermal guy]

Do you mean run 1-18350 or 2?because one is way under 2 primaries.

 

[aznsx]

Re: Keeppower cells

I recently tested and started using their protected 16650s, and plan to pick up 4x protected 18650s as well to test / use.

Protected 16340s for M6 MB20

Please don't push me for Convoy L7. I'm now seeing it on AliExpress... It was much brighter than I needed and have it to my brother. But you’ll love it. There are no words for an sbt-90. And with 2 cells and a 20A Buck driver, it has no peer

www.candlepowerforums.com

Has anything changed since that post? Having only a single listed U.S. distributor sounds rather odd to me. Yeah, I'm aware that Malkoff sells some as accessories, as that's where I got my 16650s. As far as broad line distrubutors are concerned, is it still only ILLUMN? Just thought I'd ask again.

 

[fwafwow]

For your AA I'd use energizer lithium 91's. For the rest protected keeppower's.

Thanks. I just happen to have a completed full box of these.

 

[fwafwow]

For AA / AAA, I swear by Panasonic (former Sanyo) Eneloop and Eneloop Pro, depending on the usecase.

Thanks. I had wanted to look into the Eneloops and will do so.

For 18650, I prefer the protected Nitecore NL1835HP (there is a newer NL1836HP) or the unprotected Molicel INR18650-M35A.

Thank you. I will look these. Is there much difference from the NL1834

Personally, I prefer not having lights that require many different types of battery formats (for example 16340, 26650, 14500).
That makes it easier to charge and maintain a reasonable battery park. For me, that means only having AA / AAA, 18650 and 21700 lights.
I am also trying to have a limited set of different battery brands / models for consistency.

Good point. I have the same problem with knives and some other things. I've already got more types than I really should, so I may winnow down. Or just revel in the complexity and be a horder...

...And finding a charger that takes the longer, protected 21700 cells proved harder than I thought. But the Nitecore UMS2 and UMS4 takes them. The i-series does not take them, it only fits the unprotected ones.

I've got a Fenix single slot that will work on my 21700, but not my 2 slot Nitecore. I was a bit surprised.

Top tip:
If you have a light that takes 2x CR123, see if it accepts a 18350 cell as well. But be mindful of the increased voltage - some lights can handle it, others not.

 

[PaladinNO]

Thank you. I will look these. Is there much difference from the NL1834

The discharge current is different. Yours seems to be an older version of the NL1834, so I'm guessing 2A. The NL1835HP and NL1836HP can deliver 8A.

I've got a Fenix single slot that will work on my 21700, but not my 2 slot Nitecore. I was a bit surprised.

I know that feeling. I got an older Fenix ARE-C2 charger which charges unprotected 21700 just fine, despite not saying anything about 21700 cells anywhere. And I have a Nitecore i2 which says it supports 21700, but it can't take the protected ones (doesn't fit), which was disappointing.

EDIT:
I wrote the wrong cell format above. It's a single 16650 - NOT 18350 - to replace 2x CR123.

 

[PaladinNO]

Do you mean run 1-18350 or 2?because one is way under 2 primaries.

I wrote the wrong format (brain glitch). 1x 16650 instead of 2x CR123. Corrected now.