Z2 and 9P Run time questions

[DannyP]

Hello all.
Was wondering if there is any way to extend the running times of my Z2 and 9P lights without having to purchase the KL3. I live in Australia so purchasing 123A's is quite an expensive mission. As i'm sure we all secretly agree, the lights we buy LOOK good. I'm not sure i really want to add that KL3 on there for this very reason. So i'm in a bit of a pickle. And how does the KL3 actually affect running time and light performance/strength?
Any help would be much appreciated.


Thanks heaps,
Danny.

 

[ampdude]

Are you saying you want to stick with incan bulbs instead of going to LED?

In that case I would seriously look into rechargeable lithium ion batteries since all you need to do is recharge them.

 

[DannyP]

Rechargable Lithiums. Thats exactly what i wanted to hear. Are they expensive? and are they completely compatible with surefire lights? And yeah i think i want to stay with incan. To be honest i'm not really sure. I dont know the benefits of each. I just know i want to stick with Z2 and 9P lights.

Thanks.

 

[mdocod]

combine going to li-ion rechargables with a lower powered bulb, then you'll have longer runtime and no more replacing cells after every run...

unfortunately, answering this question "Are they expensive? and are they completely compatible with surefire lights?" takes a lot more than jotting down a few notes...

There's more to it than that, answering one question just creates more... (you'll see, lol)...

To get a jumpstart... click on the link in my signature. It covers exactly what you are trying to do, and includes a compatibility chart of what works, how bright, and how long.

 

[DannyP]

Thanks heaps for that. You werent wrong about the article length.
I hate to be a pest, but can you give me a combination for a Z2. All i care for is descent light power, with rechargable batteries. Price is irrelevant. Keeping with the Z2 though.
Thanks.

 

[leukos]

DannyP,

There are many options you could choose, but here is where you could get started: AW sells li-ion batteries here: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=140362
The 2x protected R123a will fit in your Z2. 2x protected 17500 will fit in your 9P.

As for lamps, you could use the P90 lamp from your 9P in either light with this battery configuration. For a little longer runtime, pick up a few ES-9 lamps from Lumens Factory: http://www.lumensfactory.com/products.php?cat_id=2&sub_cat_id=3

Welcome to CPF!

 

[ampdude]

Thanks heaps for that. You werent wrong about the article length.
I hate to be a pest, but can you give me a combination for a Z2. All i care for is descent light power, with rechargable batteries. Price is irrelevant. Keeping with the Z2 though.
Thanks.

Decent light power in a Z2, I would go with a P90 lamp and two of AW's RCR123A's.

For a little bit more light I would go with a Lumens Factory HO-9 lamp assembly, but that is pretty much on the edge of the capabilities of the small RCR123A cell as far as current draw. Plus the brightness will quickly fade from initial startup. But if you know what you're doing, don't run it for extended periods (for several reasons) and have a multimeter to test the cells regularily, you should be ok with the HO-9 assembly. If not I'd recommend the P90 or one of Lumens Factory's lower output 9V assemblies.

You also should be able to run one of the 3.7V Lumens Factory lamp assemblies if you use a single lithium ion cell such as a 17670.

 

[defusion]

and if you would like a LED, but don't want to buy the head from surefire, you can buy a LED drop-in, which is basicaly the complete lamp assembly with reflector and emitter (and i suppose a regulator in the case of a LED).

the advantage to incan is that most people find it much more pleasing to the eye, while LED's often make everything look a bit dull and overlit even with lower intensities (you do get more of a WOW effect with LED's because your eyes are more sensitive to their color, but it's less usefull for real use IMO).
Leds do run alot longer though, and for many people LED's are sufficient for their uses, so the fact that it has longer runtime is a huge factor for deciding to go with leds anyway.
I just carry both all the time.

and another advantage to LED drop-ins; they don't slowly die like incan's while only costing about $10-$20 per module. AND they run on a wide variety of voltages, so you can choose to use either 2x RCR123's (providing 7,4v in 2 cell light), 2x17500 (providing 7,4v in 3 cell light), 2xCR123 (providing upto 6v in 2 cell light), or 3xCR123 (providing upto 9v in 3 cell light).

 

[mdocod]

Personally.

I'd stick a cree drop-in module like defusion is talking about in the Z2 and run it on a 17670. This will serve as a long burn backup light. Still suprisingly bright believe it or not.

Then stick a HO-9 or EO-9 in the 9P and run it on a pair of 17500s. The HO-9 is a beautiful ballance between power consumption and light, with a beam pattern that is perfect for the quantity of light (not too wide, not too narrow). The EO-9 has just slightly more oomf, but less runtime, up to you I suppose.

This way you'll get the best of both worlds, A high powered LED and a high powered incan.

 

[GeorgePaul]

And how does the KL3 actually affect running time and light performance/strength?

From the SureFire website, features of the KL3:

Fits 6P, C2, C3, D2, D3, G2Z, M2, Z2, Z3 flashlights Runtime: 19 lumens max output for 4.25 hours, followed by 4.75 hours of moderate output, followed by over 50 hours of minimum output

The P60 in your Z2 is rated at 65 lumens and the P90 in your 9P is rated at 105 lumens.

 

[Glen C]

Danny P, I would suggest rechargeables and either incan or LED drop in. Mdocod incan thread is the best, but roughly you could choose for the Z2, either a 150 or 190 lumen 1 battery solution (17670), up to 320 lumens with two RCR123 or a 130 or 170 lumen LED drop in which will run on either. For the 9P your choice is up to 380 lumens in the incan or the LEDs.

Glen

ps I am a dealer so take what I say with that in mind. If you need some help you can email me or call on 1300 911 007

 

[kelmo]

I have a KL3 for my 9P. It's very easy on the batteries (SF claims a 7 hour regulated runtime). I also have a beamshaper for it. So I get a nice soft flood for up close work and a good medium range thrower when I flip up the diffuser. Its a very useful setup for camping or night time hikes.

The KL3 will get about an hours worth of regulated burntime (YMMV) on batteries that the P90 LA depletes.

kelmo