TK61 best battery and charger setup.

GillBates

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mid michigan
I plan on buying a tk61 and was reading some of the articles about rechargabe batteries exploding and things like that. I figured since I'm going to be spending $160 on a flashlight might as well get the best batteries. So what would a great setup be for a beginner. I need 4-18650 batteries and a charger.
 
I plan on buying a tk61 and was reading some of the articles about rechargabe batteries exploding and things like that. I figured since I'm going to be spending $160 on a flashlight might as well get the best batteries. So what would a great setup be for a beginner. I need 4-18650 batteries and a charger.

You need to research what the amount of room is, lengthwise and widthwise, for cells in the TK61.

Not all 18650s are the same exact size, so some tend to fit battery cradles and some don't. Protection, which is needed in a 4 cell light, adds to a cell's length and there is no standard.

We have cells approaching 70mm when protection is added and some are 18.70mm wide.

Smaller cells are the Eagle Tac 3400s, but because they're a big 'light company' they bend you over a fence, for pricing. Keeppower, Orbtronics, International, AW, Redilast, CalliesKustom, are all staggered in pricing, so look around for the better deals.

Most all of the big rebranders adding protection, are using top notch Panasonic, Samsung, LG and Sanyo cells, so if you're not sure, ask here before you buy.

There are 4 bay multi-chemistry chargers out there, that do Eneloop type NiMH batteries and lithium-ion ICR/IMR cells, but are a tad slower. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, do a search of the NiteCore i4 v.2, Xtar 4 Panzer, Thrunite MCC-4 and the Fenix ARE C2 chargers.

For dedicated lithium-ion charging, but having mostly two bays, I went with the Xtar line, which gets good reviews up until their latest VP2 that I bought and which was recalled last month due to a brittle plastic formula.

It's a nice charger while I used it and is quite flexible, but still only two independent slots, so buy two!

Chris
 
Cells wise i can only tell you what i have that fit,xtars,sanyo,panasonic 3400 protected.

Good cells are the green pany 3400 protected 18650s,the carrier is the same as the tk75,so on cells approaching 70mm they are a little tight but a secure tight.

I have some 3100 KeepPowers which again are protected to come for my tk61vn
Couple of pics for you
As you can see the pany cells(green) are a little taller than the xtars(both protected) unprotected are around 65mm long,protected add around 4mm.....
18650=18mm wide(ish) 65mm long and 0 for shape of cell(round)




The pany cell is longest i have with the sanyo,as can see around 1mm+ left of compression on spring.


 
This is a pic to show difference in length,unprotected pany left,protected right




I am not aware of any cells that dont fit yet,or not read of any cells.......stand to be corrected.

Just dont buy *****fire cells with made up 5000mah

Apart from the 3600 new cells,3400 are the easiest to source and will give good run times(right cell in pic).
If struggling to get 3400mah,dont be put off 3100mah as still sufficient in the tk61:)

And remember its good practice to top your cells off after use,instead of running right down and doing a deeper charge,topping off adds to their life:)
 
Wow, thanks for all the info figured out exactly what I'm going to use. Really excited to get this light!
This is a pic to show difference in length,unprotected pany left,protected right




I am not aware of any cells that dont fit yet,or not read of any cells.......stand to be corrected.

Just dont buy *****fire cells with made up 5000mah

Apart from the 3600 new cells,3400 are the easiest to source and will give good run times(right cell in pic).
If struggling to get 3400mah,dont be put off 3100mah as still sufficient in the tk61:)

And remember its good practice to top your cells off after use,instead of running right down and doing a deeper charge,topping off adds to their life:)
 
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