Will 3 rcr123's poof a Lumens Factory HO-9?

[Tex S]

Would it be better to go with 2 17500's? I'm a newb trying to upgrade my Surefire 9P so it can accept rechargeable batteries. I want to keep it incandescent, and will use it around deer camp.

I am also a bit confused on the lumen output that Lumens Factory advertises. They make a 380 lumen bulb that is supposed to run for 35 minutes (EO-9). The best Surefire offers is their P91 lamp that runs at 200 lumens for 20 minutes. What gives? Is Lumens Factory bluffing about their outputs and runtimes, or are they just that much better than what Surefire has to offer?

Any help for the newb would be appreciated!

 

[jp2515]

3 RCR-123 will definitely poof the bulb. The spec sheet for the HO-9 says 3 CR123A or 2 RCR-123. RCR when charged are around 4.2 volts. 2 RCR should be around 8.4 volts so that is close enough to 9V (3 RCR is around 12V!!!). 2 X 17500 should work.

 

[ampdude]

It will run on two 3.7V RCR123A's, but they are not meant to deliver that kind of current. It's been awhile since I had an HO-9, but I remember they draw around 1.7A which is a bit much for RCR123A's. two IMR16340's will run it fine. Two AW P17500's should run it okay, but it's pushing the limits of that cell too and there will probably be some ill effects to that cell after extended runs. I'd go minimum AW P18500's or AW P17670's (need a one cell extender for 17670's) if not the IMR16340 cells. IMR18500 cells are also available, but you'll need an 18mm body to run those. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that someday we will see IMR17500 cells for our Surefires.

 

[labrat]

The Lumens Factory HO-9 run-times on the Lumens Factory pages are based on using 17500 cells, but they do not make it easy to read this!

http://www.lumensfactory.com/cart.php?cat_id=2&sub_cat_id=3

Check the HO-9 bulb, and see they are referring to Pila 2x300:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=259095

as well as Surefire C3 (which takes 2x17500 cells).

The HO-9 does run on RCR123 cells, but runtime on these will be closer to 15 minutes, and the batteries might get stressed hard.
I have used this a lot, but the short runtime does make this setup impractical.
DX has a bulb very similar, which I found actually better in output and performance!

 

[ampdude]

The Lumens Factory HO-9 run-times on the Lumens Factory pages are based on using 17500 cells, but they do not make it easy to read this!

http://www.lumensfactory.com/cart.php?cat_id=2&sub_cat_id=3

Check the HO-9 bulb, and see they are referring to Pila 2x300:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=259095

as well as Surefire C3 (which takes 2x17500 cells).

The HO-9 does run on RCR123 cells, but runtime on these will be closer to 15 minutes, and the batteries might get stressed hard.
I have used this a lot, but the short runtime does make this setup impractical.
DX has a bulb very similar, which I found actually better in output and performance!

The 300P cells referenced at Lumens Factory are actually 18mm diameter cells, so I have to assume the runtimes there are based on those cells. The 300S cells referenced and pictured in the thread are 17mm cells. I have one laying right next to me. They are a bit fat and long as 17mm (1.5 cell length) cells go, but they are 17mm. I prefer the AW because the Pila are a bit too long for my C3 or C2 with extender and compress the spring too much.

There is really no reason to use RCR123A cells with the HO-9 as the IMR16340 cells will have a longer runtime anyways in this configuration and won't be stressed at all. In addition the light will be brighter with the IMR's because they have lower internal resistance, and they are also a safer chemistry. They are also skinnier that the protected RCR123A cells because they don't need a protection circuit. The RCR123A cell still unfortunately has a big following because these LED guys think they will get a small runtime advantage when they use LEDs that draw less than 800mA.

Again, the P17500 cells will work, but are not optimal. I've used them before with an HO-9 for extended runs and it did hurt the cells eventually. I honestly would never use the regular lithium ion (lithium cobalt) cells for any purpose at all if I had a choice in any way. IMR all the way, I think they are the best cells overall.

 

[Tex S]

But if I use 3xIMR16340 wouldn't that still be too much voltage (4.2v x 3)? I want to keep my 9P the same size as it is now (no extenders, no 18mm tube).

Does anybody have any other ideas for getting max incandescent output while using rechargeble batteries in my 9P? It really doesn't even hafta be max output, just something more than the P90 or P91 lamps will produce.

 

[fivemega]

But if I use 3xIMR16340 wouldn't that still be too much voltage (4.2v x 3)? I want to keep my 9P the same size as it is now (no extenders, no 18mm tube).

You should use either 2x17500 or 3 primary 123 in stock 9P size flashlight to power up 9 volt (nominal) LA

Does anybody have any other ideas for getting max incandescent output while using rechargeble batteries in my 9P? It really doesn't even hafta be max output, just something more than the P90 or P91 lamps will produce.

For maximum output from stock 9P, you will need a Sunlight with WA1185 powered by three IMR 16340

In any case: smaller body+maximum output=less run time

 

[recDNA]

You should use either 2x17500 or 3 primary 123 in stock 9P size flashlight to power up 9 volt (nominal) LA


For maximum output from stock 9P, you will need a Sunlight with WA1185 powered by three IMR 16340

In any case: smaller body+maximum output=less run time

Sunlights are all gone though right?

BTW, where did you get the HO-9? I'm always checking Lighthound and it's never in stock.

 

[Mark@LF]

Using 3 RCRs on the HO-9 will definately kill the lamp.

We recommend using 18500 x 2 or 3 x CR123 primary cells for best results, you could also use 17500 x 2 setups but the runtime will be around 25-30 mins.

Of course, I am talking about AW's rechargeables.
We recommend using AW's cells for all our lamps for optimum output and performance.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[Brigadier]

Unfortunately, until someone produces IMR17500's, about the best you can do in a stock 9P is a P90 w/2xAW17500, or P91 w/3xCR123's.

Now, a viable option is a LF Seraph SP-9, LF IMR-9, and 2xIMR18500's.

Cabela's sells a 12V P60 style drop in that will work with your 3xIMR16340's, but I do not remember the lumens rating for it.

 

[Mark@LF]

Brigadier,

IMR17500 <-Oh, I do have a strong feeling that it will be out very soon.

 

[ampdude]

I like it when you get those vibes Mark. That's the best flashlight news I've heard all month! Maybe all summer!!!