Zebralight SC51 battery compatibility

[DirtyRat]

I'm not being lazy, I've tried searching the CPF threads for this answer before asking, but I can't find a definitive answer.

Does the SC51 flashlight run off of 14500 batteries? I don't see where it's listed on their website, however a older review by selfbuilt on here lists 14500 batteries as compatible. That seems more toward the SC50, wouldn't think the 51 would remove compatibility, but who knows.

And more importantly, if 14500's do work in a SC51, do they outperform a quality rechargeable AA? I have eneloops and Imedions which I swap out in my SC51, would a 14500 last any longer than these?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Mgizler]

Here you go bud.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?291124-Zebralight-SC51-(XP-G-R4)-amp-SC50w-(XP-E-Neutral)-1xAA-Reviews-RUNTIMES-BEAMSHOTS

He talks about using eneloops in the SC51 and how well it performs.

I also found this in less than a 30 seconds search.

Enjoy.

 

[Brasso]

Yes, they can run on 14500's. At least all 3 of mine can. Just be aware that they will get very hot it left on for a while.

 

[Mgizler]

Just realized that you already saw that thread. However, He does do all the tests with the eneloops in both the SC50 and SC51. Just FYI

 

[Fireclaw18]

I run my SC51 exclusively with 14500 and it works great. Noticeably brighter than on AA. Can even run for extended period of time on 14500 as the heatsinking is excellent.

Only issue I had was that the the battery contact at the end of the circuit board is recessed between a couple chips. This isn't a problem with the prominent + contact on a AA battery, but is somewhat of a problem on the much flatter + contacts on my AW protected 14500s. The 14500s still work, but occasionally it would fail to make battery contact on the first attempt. I'd then have to open the light, rotate the battery several degrees and then close the light again. Then it would work.

 

[Cataract]

The older SC51's could be run on 14500, although not recommended. I thought the newer ones should NOT be fed 14500's. How long have you guys had you SC51's for?

 

[darkpeak]

From the Zebralight website.

Operating Voltage Range: 0.7V - 2.5V

14500 Li-ion batteries are not supported.

 

[Fireclaw18]

The older SC51's could be run on 14500, although not recommended. I thought the newer ones should NOT be fed 14500's. How long have you guys had you SC51's for?

Got mine in February of 2011.

It was explained at the time that the SC51 was actually designed to support 14500. Zebralight later decided against officially supporting 14500, because the quality of many 14500 cells varied widely and they were concerned people would put cheap quality 14500s in the light.

However, the end result is that all functions work just fine with 14500 voltage range. The light won't malfunction or overheat.

 

[Cataract]

I'll have to try it... I have a 14500 in stock that feels lonely...

 

[tbenedict]

Hmm, I thought they were off limits too. My w an c both seem plenty bright, but that might lighten the load a little. Think I'll hold off for now..

 

[DirtyRat]

So while it does seem that although not suggested (by ZL), that 14500's do work fine in the SC51. What about runtime? Any differences? Basically I'm asking as I have a nice supply of quality rechargable AA's, however I also have a 14500/18650 charger for my SC600w. Was curious if I picked up a few nice 14500's if I'd hold off changing batts in my SC51 so often. I use my light at work and often replace the AA every day.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Well runtime on high would clearly be lower since it's brighter.
I'd think that runtime would not be longer in any case.

 

[Fireclaw18]

Well runtime on high would clearly be lower since it's brighter.
I'd think that runtime would not be longer in any case.

I recall seeing somewhere that on 14500, the SC51 outputs around 280 lumens compared to 200 on AA.
.

 

[tobrien]

my ZL SC51 I got last October or November and no issues with 14500s although it's basically no difference it brightness compared to a 1.5v AA, which I found pretty surprising. it'll work fine