Dizos
Newly Enlightened
I've had a really great experience working with a guy named Matt, user name 1917. I noticed he was selling 3AL2.5V titanium tube ends in the Marketplace. Like all of you I've gone through countless different battery storage/carry options. I finally settled on using plastic tubes for carrying my spare CR123 batteries. I find that they stash well in the ubiquitous admin organizers, whether built into a pack or stand alone pouches. However the plastic tubes are prone to break so I thought I would try it with some titanium tube, capped on both ends with vinyl caps. Matt sold me some lengths cut to size to hold different numbers of batteries. After the first batch he came up with the idea of welding on ti plate and then turning it so it looks like a solid piece - so now it only needs to be capped on one end. Ok on with the pictures....
Here they are in 2, 3 and 4 battery configurations.
Here you can see the wall thickness of the 3AL2.5V. I like that there is no wasted space, the stick is not much larger than the batteries themselves, yet are extremely robust. While I am often guilty of buying titanium just because it is titanium, in this application the material makes sense. Strong, light, and corrosion resistant.
This image shows the original double cap sticks next to the new version with bottom plates. The new version is great because you know which way the batteries are oriented.
Here is a close up of the bottom plate. He welds them in and then turns it so you can't see the seam.
You can sort of make out the bottom here. He puts in a o-ring to prevent battery contact.
The reason I like to know the battery orientation is for field battery changes. With the sticks it is easy to change batteries without worrying about mixing up the spent batteries with the new ones, and you don't need to set anything down. Simple open the flashlight, dump the spent batteries in you hand, pop the top of the stick and pour the fresh cells into your light.
Here I am doing it one handed.
This is a shot of my field kit with the sticks inside.
Final shot is some fancing engraving Matt added for the heck of it. "One of a kind" he notes. This man has talent.
I hope this is useful for you guys. These are really working out for me. I don't have any financial interest in this, though Matt has hooked me up with some free tubes. I just like to support small time craftsman and share my ongoing quest of gear perfection.
Here they are in 2, 3 and 4 battery configurations.
Here you can see the wall thickness of the 3AL2.5V. I like that there is no wasted space, the stick is not much larger than the batteries themselves, yet are extremely robust. While I am often guilty of buying titanium just because it is titanium, in this application the material makes sense. Strong, light, and corrosion resistant.
This image shows the original double cap sticks next to the new version with bottom plates. The new version is great because you know which way the batteries are oriented.
Here is a close up of the bottom plate. He welds them in and then turns it so you can't see the seam.
You can sort of make out the bottom here. He puts in a o-ring to prevent battery contact.
The reason I like to know the battery orientation is for field battery changes. With the sticks it is easy to change batteries without worrying about mixing up the spent batteries with the new ones, and you don't need to set anything down. Simple open the flashlight, dump the spent batteries in you hand, pop the top of the stick and pour the fresh cells into your light.
Here I am doing it one handed.
This is a shot of my field kit with the sticks inside.
Final shot is some fancing engraving Matt added for the heck of it. "One of a kind" he notes. This man has talent.
I hope this is useful for you guys. These are really working out for me. I don't have any financial interest in this, though Matt has hooked me up with some free tubes. I just like to support small time craftsman and share my ongoing quest of gear perfection.
