Surefire L4 runtime with a 17670?

[light_emitting_dude]

I am contemplating using a 17670 in my L4. I am most interested in the runtime. I know that the runtime on RCR123's is just over an hour. Is the runtime improved with the 17670? I am willing to lose a little brightness for longer runtime and cost!

I have read in other posts that this battery should work fine in an L4. I'm not sure wheter it is the old or newer version but my light looks identical to the one listed on flashlightreviews.com.

Oh one last question.....what is the best 17670 to use? AW? regulated on non-regulated.

 

[JanCPF]

Are you using two RCR123 in your L4? That's not a good thing to do. You are putting it in direct drive and even risking to burn out either the emiter or the converter.

Anyway, a 17670 is the way to go, and will give you about 60 minutes of fully regulated output. All other things equal, the capacity of one 17670 is higher than two RCR123 because there is only one set of terminals and one protection circuit to take up space.

Jan

 

[jumpstat]

Just curious, would 2x3.0v rechargeable be harmful as well for KL4 head?
What is the working voltage of the head?
What I noticed when running KL4 with single rechargeable 3.7v is that, the output decreses roughly 25-30% when the battery is at 3.6/3.7 volts from the peak at 4.25v, but shall continue to output about 45minutes till flicker. IS this scenario, normal?

 

[light_emitting_dude]

Are you using two RCR123 in your L4? That's not a good thing to do. You are putting it in direct drive and even risking to burn out either the emiter or the converter.

Anyway, a 17670 is the way to go, and will give you about 60 minutes of fully regulated output. All other things equal, the capacity of one 17670 is higher than two RCR123 because there is only one set of terminals and one protection circuit to take up space.

Jan

No not using two RCR123's. Heard that is a no no. Thanks for the info!

 

[big beam]

If your L4 is a newer one you might not be able to use a protected 17670 from what I've read .

DON

 

[cbubu]

Hi light_emitting_dude,
big_beam is right, for the new L4 you may have to adjust the inner diameter with emery paper and ... patience ... (I just did it for AW 17670 protected cells). I didn't have any runtime measurement w/ 17670.
Regards

 

[light_emitting_dude]

Is there a way to tell if you have the newer version by the serial #? I think mine is A259194.

 

[cbubu]

I saw, but I can't find the thread, that the new/old bodie can be determine with the inscriptions on the body, the new one has the followings :
first line : L4 (italic)
second line : DIGITAL LUMAMAX (italic)
third line : US PATENTS 65...., 67 ... (right)
The old one is different.

 

[light_emitting_dude]

Thanks! That matches mine including patents. Looks like I have the newer version and will have to adjust the inner diameter to fit the 17670!

 

[cbubu]

Finaly find the threads :
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=132841
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1643747&postcount=18
Regards,

 

[Heck]

Make sure it doesn't fit the 17670 before doing your little mod. Some newer ones with the newest etchings DO fit the 17670. Also if you get AW's 17670 , try taking off the labelling first, some work after that. If not, and it's the really tight tolerance one, then sand it down..but wait first..don't jump into conlcusion just yet.

 

[AyeMayanor]

My L4 serial #s are A273355 and A273061 (I bought one for my wife.)

AW's 17670s wouldn't fit in either one. Others have reported being able to get them in 3/4 of the way but mine wouldn't even go 1/4.

I used a dowel, automotive wet/dry sandpaper and WD40 as recommended by someone in a similar thread. And patience. Patience certainly is the key here. It is a long and messy process but it is not hard at all.

I spent 3 hours on each tube, and would have gladly spent more considering the money I will save on batteries.

If you use your L4 as much as I do, I recommend switching to 17670s. You can't put a price on guilt free lumens. Besides, you might get lucky and not have to sand the tube, but you won't know until you actually try. Don't trust pictures; mine are identical to those that had no trouble fitting, right down to the letter placement, italics and patent numbers.

 

[big beam]

LE DUDE
If it will help I mesured my old L4 and it's.680 inches and another one is .684.Both of these lights use 17670's from AW with the labels on.

DON

Thats 17.27-17.37 MM (I think)

I just mesured AW's battery it's.675 at the fattest point(17.145 MM)

 

[light_emitting_dude]

Make sure it doesn't fit the 17670 before doing your little mod. Some newer ones with the newest etchings DO fit the 17670. Also if you get AW's 17670 , try taking off the labelling first, some work after that. If not, and it's the really tight tolerance one, then sand it down..but wait first..don't jump into conlcusion just yet.

I will definately try the battery first before any unnecessary sanding.

Looks like I will be going with the AW!

 

[Chao]

I did runtime with 17670 before http://home.kimo.com.tw/fredflashlights/DATA/L4/l4runtime.jpg
(from my L4 review, but it's chinese version, if you don't mind, welcome to take a look http://home.kimo.com.tw/fredflashlights/DATA/L4/L4.htm )
my L4 body can not fit protected 17670 also, I used E2D body for test.