what is the best battery for a tactical light? highest output, constantly on

[1boredguy]

Hi,

I've been digging around, including through the battery shoot out pages.

It looks like heat causes issues for batteries in lights on the output setting.

What are the most reliable battery options for flashlights that would be put on turbo/highest setting, for extended periods of time?


thanks!

btw: great forum community, a lot of knowledge to be gained here.

 

[Marduke]

Actually batteries perform best when a little warm. They perform worse at lower temperatures.

However, they store better at lower temperatures.

But what is best for you greatly depends on what you have and how you use it, neither of which you tell us...

 

[Mjolnir]

LED Lights tend to loose output when the LEDs heat up, but that is completely independent of the battery. If this is what you were referring to, then you can't a light with fairly good heatsinking and not too small of a head.

 

[buickid]

Well AW's IMR cells would be the safest. I'd be concerned with internal damage if used at high temps consistently. With IMR, they shouldn't explode if something goes wrong

 

[kramer5150]

Hi,

I've been digging around, including through the battery shoot out pages.

It looks like heat causes issues for batteries in lights on the output setting.

What are the most reliable battery options for flashlights that would be put on turbo/highest setting, for extended periods of time?


thanks!

btw: great forum community, a lot of knowledge to be gained here.

I would say multiple D or C NiMH cells in a mag sized host would be the most reliable. The host (provided its well designed) is physically large and heavy enough to dissipate and conduct a lot of heat.

Second option would be a SF-M6 modded for use with AW IMR 17670 cells. (can you mod an M6 to fit 2xC or 2xD NiMH cells?) Like the mag, its big enough to dissipate heat sufficiently, and the IMR cells have been proven to handle high current demands. The 3x17670 cell carrier could also help shield the cells from heat build up in the host.

Least reliable would be a single RCR123 setup in a high current, small EDC host.

 

[1boredguy]

Actually batteries perform best when a little warm. They perform worse at lower temperatures.

However, they store better at lower temperatures.

But what is best for you greatly depends on what you have and how you use it, neither of which you tell us...

Ah, currently I have done the CR123 option. I have a Fenix PD3, TK11, and TA30. I guess the TA30 and TK11 have semi-large heads (heat-sinks?).

I had purchased some Battery Station 123s, however the Battery Shootout post says some have reached high temps, so I am curious if these are still a great battery option, or is there something better.

thanks for the tips

 

[berry580]

general rule is bigger the better, host and battery.
I personally don't like 16340 sized batteries, they don't seem to work as reliably as larger formats like 18650 etc.

 

[Gunner12]

For a tactical oriented light, a 18650 battery might be a good size for the capacity, and actual size of the battery. As for how bright, that will depend on the LED, the driver, and how good the battery is. Maybe it's possible to drive a SST-50, Seoul P7, or Cree MC-E at max recommended current. If that is possible, 500 lumen out the front is easily possible presuming good heatsinking.