Upon further research...Scorpion G&P 500

[sid2]

I posted here about needing a bulb, (and ordered one from LF), come to find out I may have a battery/charger problem.Had the thing on the charger maybe 4-5 hours and tested the light for maybe 30 seconds in short bursts. No problem. Next day needed the light to see on the boat and it went out in maybe 2 min. I thought the bulb blew because of the way it went out. No dimming or warning, just out. So last night ordered new bulb. Today I take the bulb out and it looks good to me. So I throw it on the charger for a few seconds and surprisingly it lights up. Only for a few seconds though. I put it back on the charger and wait for the led to turn from green to red, which it does in about an hour or so. Turn on the light and it last 2min. tops.

Does this sound like charger or batteries. I'm leaning towards batts. If it is the batteries what are the options on today's market? Thanks....Sid

 

[Fusion_m8]

I'm 99% certain that its the battery pack. Many CPFers were having issues with the poor quality battery packs which had cells that were not matched properly: ie: 1600mah cell running in series with a 1500mah etc... thats why I ditched the R500 and got myself a Ultrafire WF-500 which allows me to use high quality AW 18650 or 17670 protected cells.

The R500 & WF-500 stock or LF bulbs draw anywhere between 2.5A-3.3A, which is SERIOUS current draw, thats why its imperative to use high quality cells.

 

[SCEMan]

How old is your R500 and/or battery pack? I've used mine for 2 years with zero problems. Was planning on picking up a spare battery pack for insurance as I really like the R500 and the convenience of AC and DC chargers.

 

[sid2]

I'm not sure how old it is, I bought it from a member here.

What's the difference between the AW 18650 or 17670? Are they both protected and what does that mean? I'm assuming they are both rechargable. I don't mind building a battery pack if that's the best way to go. I'm sure I can open up the old one and see how it's constructed and duplicate it. Any problems associated with that?

Reading some old threads it looks like a spacer is needed, what do you use for the spacer? Does it matter as long as it's metal and the right length?

Lastly, where can I get the proper cells needed? It seems like a nice light and worth making right. Thanks again...Sid

 

[sid2]

If someone can point me in the right direction I can get started on the pack....Thanks .....Sid

 

[Eric242]

I have a Scorpion R500 as well and never encountered any problems so far. Right now it is in my car so I can´t check to be exactly sure.

But if I remember correctly the R500s batterypack consits of two 18650s. You could replace the batterypack with two AW 18650 cells (yes both 18650 and 17670 are rechargeables => first two digits = diameter in mm, second two digits = length in mm, 0 = round cell). You´d need a charger since you won´t be able to charge those in the light and you´d need a spacer to make up the lenght of the battery pack. A magnet would be ok as a spacer but you should make sure it won´t touch the inner walls of your light to protect it from shortings.

AWs 18650 and 17650 are both protected.

Eric

 

[sid2]

I have unwrapped the pack and it does have 18650's. If I put 18650's back in, why would I not be able to charge them in the light?....Sid

 

[Fusion_m8]

Hi Sid:

Check out this thread... its got a good pic of how the battery pack looks like unwrapped and perhaps details how the cells can be replaced/resoldered. Hope it helps.

 

[Eric242]

I have unwrapped the pack and it does have 18650's. If I put 18650's back in, why would I not be able to charge them in the light?....Sid

Well, if you are going to rewrap/solder the batterypack with new cells you´d still be able to charge it in the light. I was suggesting to replace the whole pack with the new cells and in that case you´d have to charge the cells in a charger and use a spacer.

Eric

 

[sid2]

Will the Ultrafire protected 18650's work in this light without clicking??

 

[Fusion_m8]

From my experience, Ultrafire 18650 cells are no better than the cells in the stock R500 battery pack. Go for something more reliable like AW 18650s, you can go for the unprotected AW 18650s and just use the original PCB & charging port from the stock battery pack.

All up it would cost $6.00(x2) + $4.50 shipping = $16.50. Cheaper than buying a new G&P R500 battery pack but 10x more reliable with greater output and runtime.