Why?

[BD457]

I've got a Surefire M3 that works perfectly with 3 volt batteries. I thought I'd put in an M4 bulb and use 3 3.7 rechargables in it. I put them in and it doesn't light up. I thought at first that I might have blown the bulb with 12.6 volts, but going back to 4 3 volt batteries, it works fine.

The batteries are 2 AWs and one Battery station 123r all three are protected.

Any answer?

 

[Patriot]

does the M4 bulb fit in the M3? Maybe the Turbo head I guess.... I'd have to guess that something wasn't making contact, but I'm not sure

 

[wptski]

Is the AW cell protected? There have been posts about ican start-up current triggering the circuits. I seem to remember the need to double-click to overcome the problem.

 

[BD457]

does the M4 bulb fit in the M3? Maybe the Turbo head I guess.... I'd have to guess that something wasn't making contact, but I'm not sure

My bad. Yes it's actually an M3T with a one cell extender that I'm using. Sorry for the confussion.

I'm almost posative it's a protected AW. Does that mean I'd have to use non-protected 3.7 volt batteries to get to the 12.6 volt? I guess another big question would be will I blow the bulb with 12.6volts when it's actually a 12 volt bulb? Also, am I sacrificing a considerable amount of run time by going to 3 rechargables from 4 Li?

 

[65535]

Try double clicking the switch to start.

 

[mdocod]

The batteries are 2 AWs and one Battery station 123r all three are protected.

first off.. please don't mix cells like this.

secondly... I can pretty much guarantee the BS cell is tripping it's current limit. If you have old versions of the AW cells, then they too will more than likely trip the protection.. You want to use 3 NEW AW protected cells (the ones with the high current PCBs)

and thirdly: I hope you are using the 225 lumen bulb(MN60) and not the MN61. The MN60 draws almost 1.5A on 3xLi-Ions, which would be safe but pushing the upper limits of AW NEW cells. I guarantee the BS cell is tripping off trying to push this bulb. The MN61 would be dangerous in this configuration. Don't do it.. hehe..

The 3x3.7V>MN60 is a good combo, (from what I have read, but I think there is a increased risk of instaflash on fresh cells)

For slightly longer runtime, and better bulb life, I'd suggest putting the extender back on, and running a pair of 17670s into a MN16, will be about the same brightness as the MN60 on 3xRCR123s.

 

[BD457]

first off.. please don't mix cells like this.

I didn't want to and as a rule don't mix, but that's all I had and I just wanted to light it off to see if it worked. If it did I was going to get another set of deticated cells for it.

and thirdly: I hope you are using the 225 lumen bulb(MN60) and not the MN61.

I am/was

The MN60 draws almost 1.5A on 3xLi-Ions, which would be safe but pushing the upper limits of AW NEW cells. I guarantee the BS cell is tripping off trying to push this bulb. The MN61 would be dangerous in this configuration. Don't do it.. hehe..

Advice taken, stored, and imprinted. Thank You

The 3x3.7V>MN60 is a good combo, (from what I have read, but I think there is a increased risk of instaflash on fresh cells)

For slightly longer runtime, and better bulb life, I'd suggest putting the extender back on, and running a pair of 17670s into a MN16, will be about the same brightness as the MN60 on 3xRCR123s.

THAT sounds like a great idea.

Thank you very very very much.

 

[max52]

I use 3 of the NEW AW R123a 3.7 and a dummy in my M4. The results are great. There is a difference between the "old" AW R123 which are blue, and the new AW R123a which is black. The new AW battery will pulls more amps. I have both. The old ones don't work in the 2 12 Volt incadescant that I have. I use the same configuration in my WolfEyes M100x Rattlesnake. With that huge Head it produces a great spot, very bright, and of course, GUILT FREE LUMENS.

 

[BD457]

Yep, mine are Blue.

The whole reason for the attempt was to reduce the size of the M4 into and M3T. If you're using a spacer, I could do the very same without it.

Thanks for the input.

 

[mdocod]

The shorter size would be pretty cool, If it were me, I would suggest having both configurations available (because you will obviously NEED to have both configurations available to save the world!!!).. get 3 of AWs new RCR123s, and 2 17670s, and an MN16, swap around and play lego! haha

 

[BD457]

How did you know I was out to save the world? Shhh.....Keep my identity quiet.

 

[iapyx]

Does your light work yet?
It could also be a contact problem: your batteries might not make contact and to solve that problem, you can use small flat magnets between the batteries.

my two eurocents...

 

[BD457]

The light works with standard batteries. I think the protection circuit on the rechargables is the problem.

 

[LuxLuthor]

The MN61 would be dangerous in this configuration. Don't do it.. hehe...

What do you mean about it being dangerous? I have the M4 and two A19 extender tubes, and 3xPila 600s will light the MN60 but not the MN61 (although I can get it to light with repeated button pushes...but not worth it).