Surefire M6 battery setup

[suppin]

I've been doing some reading on the Surefire M6, and found out that it actually uses a 9V lamp. Since it runs on 6 batteries, I would assume that it theoretically runs 2 parallel sets of 3 cells in series. However, looking at the quick change battery magazine, it seems it's grouped in 3 sets of 2 cells (unless of course, cells in the bottom rack are somehow in a series with the top rack in a parallel series)

So, looking at the battery magazine, does the M6 actually run on 3 parallel sets of 2 cells in series? I'm asking this as I've been told by someone that "if you arrange the cells right, you can run the M6 on 3 cells". I'm rather dubious of the claim, however. So I'd like to throw the question out to the members here, about battery configuration that powers the M6 lamp (2 x 3 cells or 3 x 2 cells). If it indeed runs on the 2 x 3 cell configuration, it would be pretty interesting to see how it's acheived. Does anyone have any idea about this?

 

[jtivat]

It is 2x3 with two from the top row and one from the bottom in the first set. Then two from the bottom and one from the top making up the second set. You can use a meter to figure out which one's they are and then run a MN15, MN16 or N2 in the light.

 

[kakster]

2 sets of 3 cells like so:

 

[suppin]

Ahh, thanks jtivat... So, assuming if I found out which of the cell positions are the ones in series, do you think it is possible to run Jon's R123s on the M6? With 2 R123s and 1 dummy spacer in each series?

I'm not very well versed at electical stuff, but running 2 x R123s with a dummy in each series will theoretically satisfy the voltage requirements somewhat. The thing I'm not sure about is the current drawn from each cell/series, that could be a limiting factor in using R123s in the M6...

Edit: Thanks for the pic, kakster! It makes things a lot clearer. The only thing is to find out WHICH of them belongs to the same series /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[K-T]

But be sure to check the voltage with a Voltmeter as there are several configurations and only two work. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Also you should know that with that configuration you should only use the M3 LA's, this configuration is not for saving batteries on the M6 LA's but rather a workaround to make a M3T out of your M6. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[suppin]

Point noted K-T /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Though I'd much prefer using the M6 with the HOLA, rather than an MN11, even if the rechargables wouldn't work in them, it's still a heck of a great light.