SureFire Arc-1 & Arc-2 w/ Rechargeable Li-ions?

[adamlau]

Anyone know if the ballast will accept an input voltage of 16V? Think we will be able to run the Arc-1 off 8x18500, or the Arc-2 off 8x18650?

 

[monkeyboy]

Anyone know if the ballast will accept an input voltage of 16V? Think we will be able to run the Arc-1 off 8x18500, or the Arc-2 off 8x18650?

This is a question that I would would also like to know. (I assume the battery tube is 4 wide). I don't think the tube will accept 18500 or 18650 as this would make the overall diameter unnecessarily large so probably 17500 or 17670 would fit if you're lucky.

Arc 1 takes 12 batts (must be in series I reckon) 12 x 3 = 36V and 8 x 3.7 =29.6V. but 17500 tend to have less voltage drop under load so it would probably work out about the same.

As for the Arc2, if the ballast is the same as the Arc1, then the 17670 should work.

 

[adamlau]

I am already planning to bore it for 18mm cells , but only if 17500 and 17670 will work in the first place.

 

[monkeyboy]

It would be great if it could be done but if you think about it; boring e.g. a surefire 6P for 1mm wider cells only requires reducing thickness of walls by 0.5mm whereas, with the 4 wide configuration of the Arc, this would require reducing the wall thickness by 1mm. I really do hope that at least the 17mm cells will fit without boring as running such a light with primaries is not an option for me.

Slightly off topic here but does anyone have any speculation as to what the retail price of the arc-1 and 2 will be? Quotes from page 62 of the SF tactical catalog:

"That's why we're so confident the new SureFire ARC -1 and ARC -2 ArcLights are destined to become two of our most popular models"

"...enough bang for the buck to be a must-have for serious outdoor adventurers..."

This suggests to me that these lights are going to be a lot more affordable than the beast.

 

[BVH]

Any links to info on these two lights?

 

[monkeyboy]

Any links to info on these two lights?

I guess you've probably already seen the SF catalogs.
(EDIT: link doesn't work just click on "catalogs" on left hand side)


I read in a previous thread that the prototypes at Shot Show 2008 were not operational so unlikely to be on sale any time soon :sigh: I hope that they are instant strike and have "instant" warmup (like the polarion) also that the colour temp is not too cool. This will put them in a league above the Microfire IMO.

 

[BVH]

Thanks Monkeyboy. I had not seen them in the catalog.

 

[seery]

I hope that they are instant strike and have "instant" warmup (like the polarion)...

What exactly is "instant" warmup?

I'm thinking you mean color temperature. But based on adamlau's pics, it seems
there's quite a color shift over the first 5-10 seconds after initial spark.

The Beast II does the same thing as the Polarion in respect to the above. It's very
bright very quick on spark, but takes 3-5 seconds to ramp to full brightness. Over
which time the color temps shifts similar to adam's pics.

 

[adamlau]

Perhaps monkeyboy meant instant strike and restrike.

 

[Patriot]

What exactly is "instant" warmup?

I'm thinking you mean color temperature. But based on adamlau's pics, it seems
there's quite a color shift over the first 5-10 seconds after initial spark.

The Beast II does the same thing as the Polarion in respect to the above. It's very
bright very quick on spark, but takes 3-5 seconds to ramp to full brightness. Over
which time the color temps shifts similar to adam's pics.

I've often thought about the same thing. I see that the PH series takes about 8 seconds of color adjustment and that's called instant. I wonder if it could still be called instant if it took 10-12 seconds. Maybe it just means instant light output of any color though.

 

[monkeyboy]

I meant time to reach full brightness. I put "instant" in inverted commas because I know it takes a few seconds but its still very fast compared to other HIDs.