WA1111 w/2x18650, will it instaflash off the charger

[pete7226]

I've never played with these bulbs before and have limited knowledge of electronics, resistance and the such, that being said, I've searched the forums and many say its ok, others say it will burn out the bulb when hot off the charger. I know 3xcr123 should be ok as they sag to about 2.4 or 2.5 off the load, which I think is around 3.5 amps with this bulb, but I want to use 18650's. My question is, even though my AW protected 18650's come out between 4.1 and 4.2 off the charger, is there enough voltage sag with this bulb initially to bring the voltage down to say 3.8 or so. Most of the setups I see are limiting voltage from 7.2 to 7.5 with a regulator(I think thats what its called?) and others have a soft start to prevent burning the bulb I presume. Anyone with experience or the knowledge, mdocod and others can you please explain how/if this works. Thanks

I plan on using it in a KT4 setup w/ Mn bi-pin adaptor

 

[mudman cj]

The WA1111 will not instaflash from 2 18650s. Here is a link to a thread discussing this and also similar bulbs. Post #30 gives the specific information you requested. And Li-ion batteries do not lose voltage if rested, so hot off the charger is equivalent to fully charged and rested. You can also use 2 AW C size Li-ion batteries with the WA1111 for more runtime and that will also not instaflash.

 

[pete7226]

In the hotrater spreadsheet, at 8.2 volts, the WA111 is 1.1% to melting, is something I should be concerned with? At 7.2 its 5.1%. Aside from a much shorter bulb life, is there any reason not to use this bulb? How long can I safely keep this light on continuously? 10 minutes? will it fry itself?

 

[mudman cj]

It will have an acceptable life for a hotwire bulb. I don't have numbers for you, but I haven't heard complaints about it. You can run it continuously without a problem provided of course that no components in your light melt (lens, reflector, bulb pedestal also a remote possibility without fixing the resistance). One other thing about this bulb is the beam will have some artifacts using a smooth or LOP reflector. It's a great bulb overall and will run nice and white as you have already determined with the hotrater spreadsheet.

 

[pete7226]

Thanks for the info, do you know if the surefire turboheads are closer to LOP or MOP?

 

[DM51]

Lightedge has put together a very nice-looking light with a WA1111, Leef body, SW02 and a KT-1 turbohead, which you can see in this_thread. He's running it on 18500s (!!) rather than 18650s, but he should be able to tell you about the beam he's getting from the turbohead.

 

[BSBG]

Thanks for the info, do you know if the surefire turboheads are closer to LOP or MOP?

MOP I'd say.

 

[pete7226]

Thanks guys

 

[LuxLuthor]

Also you have to remember to take into account the resistance of the setup you are using...so cranking 8.2V DIRECTLY to the bulb with 2 Li-Ion's isn't gonna happen. There is also resistance in the bulb itself.

 

[jimjones3630]

The 1111 is a robuse bulb. Instantflashed some 5761's tonight in 4s2p 18650, 2600mah Elephant. Finally got a deep tail cap machined looks nice.

Went to 1111 and what a white throw monster iin FM's new reflector. The batteries were hot off the charger and hot for soldering them together. Gave them a cold shower several times.

Jim

 

[LuxLuthor]

The 1111 is a robuse bulb. Instantflashed some 5761's tonight in 4s2p 18650, 2600mah Elephant. Finally got a deep tail cap machined looks nice.

Went to 1111 and what a white throw monster iin FM's new reflector. The batteries were hot off the charger and hot for soldering them together. Gave them a cold shower several times.

Jim

You soldered some 18650's together? Say it ain't so. :huh: :mecry:

 

[pete7226]

Finally got this setup going. Its definitely brighter than my Mn16 off of 2x18650 in a side by side comparison, but not by as much as I thought it would be. Its about 10-20% brighter and a tad whiter. That being said, the Mn16 is pretty white on li-ion to begin with and plenty bright. I'm happy I guess, but also a little underwhelmed at the same time.

 

[jimjones3630]

Hot is realitive.

With a metcal and a tip about 2 pin points wide. Then drenched under cold running water and that does it.

Soldered up 4P2S 18650, 2600mah in a very low resistance FM Elephant. Didn't get in on FM deep tailcap so had one made locally.

Now I really appreciate FM's prices.

5761 blew, bet it would have made it if had a soft start. Was really bright for about 1/2 seconds.

1111 next up and beautifully white stunnly white. A throw monster with narrow focused beam in FM 3" head with his new reflector.

1185 next up with extension tube, and 4P more 1650's soldered.
Both paks together = 4P3S and a tad too long-soldered ends of each pak with piece of copper .022in. 4 pieces total.

So used deep tail cap with double mag D tail spring with resistance fix. The beam was wider but not flood. 1185 looked no brighter than 1111.

They are so close my eyes couldn't tell the difference. Still trying to figure out how to post smaller pic. 3D M@g for comparision

 

[mansell2]

I love my MAW11. 2C host with AW's C cells or 3C host with 2x18650. WA01111 married to AW's Incan Driver. I have used 18650 and C cells hot of the charger with no problems. The Incan Driver also allows you to start the WA01111 with cheaper (protected and buttoned) Ultrafire 18650 cells on one click. I have a MAW11 and MAW85. I am actually more impressed by the MAW11. You can build it with 2 ultrafire 18650's. My charger will only charge 2 18650 or C cells at a time. Therefore my MAW85 take to charge cycles. At that rate I might as well build a 4x C Li-ion setup - umm?.