Host/Batt options for a Malkoff M60W MC-E Warm

I now have a Malkoff M60W MC-E Warm on its way to me.

Question is, what is the best host/battery set up?

HOSTS:
1) Solarforce 6P style (2 x cr123/rcr123)?
2) 6P (2 x cr123/rcr123)?
3) Leef body (2 x cr123/rcr123)?
4) Leef body (2 x 18650)?
5) Leef body (3 x 18650)?

BATTS:
1) 2 x cr123 / 2 x rcr123
2) 2 x 18650
3) 3 x 18650

If CR's, I will be using Tenergy 900 mah's - If 18650's, AW's protected cells.

Thank you

As I understand the standard, M60W MCE on Gene's website is a 5-13 volt module. While there's been some debate on this, I'm going to believe the product specs which say it shuts off below 4.5 volts, so 1x18650 won't work at all. I don't much care for anything longer than a 2x18650 host, and if you go with one of those you retain the ability to just drop in 4 primaries without any fuss. So if it's going to see pocket/belt duty at all, get a 2xcr123/rcr 123 host. If you use it for walking around or as a house/vehicle light go with the 2x18650 body, that should get you well over an hour of runtime. I don't really know if the tenergy 123's can handle the MCE's current draw, it'll probably work but won't be good for the batteries. Consider a couple pairs of IMR 16340's for use with this module. The larger protected 18650's and primary cr123's will be fine.

Remember, Gene is selling his own host too. MD2

Yoda4561 - you are correct, I was not paying attention when I put in the 1 x 18650. I have removed now it. Thank you

Sgt. LED said:

Remember, Gene is selling his own host too. MD2

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I am not a fan of the style/design of the MD2 at all.

What about a SF C3 - 3 x RCR123's?

With a stock M60 MC-E, do you get more light from 3x18650 then 2x18650? Is the light output the same with the same voltage? So 2Xrcr123 is just as bright as 2X18650?

BigMHoff said:

With a stock M60 MC-E, do you get more light from 3x18650 then 2x18650? Is the light output the same with the same voltage? So 2Xrcr123 is just as bright as 2X18650?

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If you look at the sphere tests MrGman has done on MC-E and P7 drop-ins. The bigger cells make more lumens. This is noticeable with my Incandescent lamps, but the DX MC-E made more power with the 18650 vs. 16340.

Since it is regulated it will not make more Lumens if you add voltage, but with the bigger cells IMHO; it will. With my LED lights I can not tell the difference from small and bigger cells, but it is very noticeable to the naked eye with incandescent set-ups. Perhaps others can ellaborate on this.

bigchelis said:

If you look at the sphere tests MrGman has done on MC-E and P7 drop-ins. The bigger cells make more lumens. This is noticeable with my Incandescent lamps, but the DX MC-E made more power with the 18650 vs. 16340.

Since it is regulated it will not make more Lumens if you add voltage, but with the bigger cells IMHO; it will. With my LED lights I can not tell the difference from small and bigger cells, but it is very noticeable to the naked eye with incandescent set-ups. Perhaps others can ellaborate on this.

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The unit I tested was a custom direct drive unit not the regulated unit. You will not get more lumens from running 3 4.2V cells, just getting the regulator hotter for the larger voltage drop. I would only go with 2X18650's. If you want something in a more reasonable size I would go with the standard Solarforce Host, with 1 short extension and run 2X17500's to which you could drop in 3 CR123's as a back up. this is basically the same as a 9P or C3 and is a very handy size flashlight with good run time.

MrGman said:

If you want something in a more reasonable size I would go with the standard Solarforce Host, with 1 short extension and run 2X17500's to which you could drop in 3 CR123's as a back up. this is basically the same as a 9P or C3 and is a very handy size flashlight with good run time.

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I agree that size is pretty nice. Where possible though 2 x 18500 is obviously better than 2 x 17500. I wish solarforce would make the short extender fatter so 18mm batteries would fit. That way it could be added to the solaforce 1 x 18650 body for an inexpensive alternative to a Leef 2 x 18500 body.

For myself, I'd put it in a 6P and run it with a couple of IMR 16340's... simply because I don't like the length of two IMR 18650s (which would be my choice if I did like the length.)

DHart said:

For myself, I'd put it in a 6P and run it with a couple of IMR 16340's... simply because I don't like the length of two IMR 18650s (which would be my choice if I did like the length.)

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Problem would be over discharging and damaging the IMR cells as they are not protected. Thats why I like 2 x 18500 size. Good compromise between size and battery capacity.

harddrive said:

Problem would be over discharging and damaging the IMR cells as they are not protected. Thats why I like 2 x 18500 size. Good compromise between size and batty capacity.

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Depends on the use of the light... if intended for short-term brilliant room clearing and such, the IMR's would never get too low if they're topped off from time to time. I'd actually prefer the direct drive MC-E lamp assembly where a single IMR would be a great choice in this application. I use IMR's with my Malkoff P7 lamp assembly (direct drive) and the IMR's deliver higher brightness than protected cells do.

But for a general use light where one would be using the light continuously for extended periods of time, and the regulated MC-E, yeah, I'd go with AW protected.

supawabb said:

I am not a fan of the style/design of the MD2 at all.

What about a SF C3 - 3 x RCR123's?

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Hmm, is there something in particular you don't like about the MD2, just curious?:thinking: (I'm sure Gene may be too)

I have a host(that I tried to sell last week:ironic ready for a M60W MC-E in the event I buy one.
It is:
SF 6P body for 2x123, or 2xR123
+A19 for 2x17500, 3x123, or 3x123
+A19 for 2x17670, or 4x123
+SF Z59 tailcap for single brightness
or AW soft-start switch with 3 brightness levels that I can put in a Z41-BK if I do get the MC-E drop-in, and just have to match.

The probability of it ever actually getting loaded with primaries would be slim, but I've got AW R123s, 17500s, and 17670s.

Hi,
I'm having the same setup question as well, was wondering roughly how long will 3 x 18650 do with the M60 MC-E W & M60 MC-E respectively

By my calculations it's 2.2 hours of runtime on 3x IMR 18650, and at least 3.1 hours on 3x 2200mAH LiCo 18650.

If you use 3 protected 18650's they will hold the higher current longer right???

I just ordered the MC-E regulated and was planning on using 2 18650's, but might go with 3 Trustfire 18650's because I am hoping they will hold their value longer.

The current's not very high. Should only be an amp from 2 Li-ions if it pulls 1.3A from 2 primaries.
Two 18650s should be good for a couple of hours +.
How much runtime do you need?
I wouldn't want to use a 3x18650 body on anything, I don't think.

neoro, runtime should be the same between the regular and warm versions. The regular one has a higher flux rating, which means it puts out more light with the same current-which is why it's rated for more lumens.
The circuit should be the same, so the forward voltage of the individual LEDs should be the only thing to make a difference in runtime between the two.

bigchelis said:

If you use 3 protected 18650's they will hold the higher current longer right???

I just ordered the MC-E regulated and was planning on using 2 18650's, but might go with 3 Trustfire 18650's because I am hoping they will hold their value longer.

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No, it will hold higher voltage for a longer time. At the higher input voltage current draw will be lower and it will be able to deliver that lower current for a much longer time. I should be able to give you numbers in a few days. I have 2 new MC-E modules from Gene for some serious testing.

MrGman said:

No, it will hold higher voltage for a longer time. At the higher input voltage current draw will be lower and it will be able to deliver that lower current for a much longer time. I should be able to give you numbers in a few days. I have 2 new MC-E modules from Gene for some serious testing.

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Awesome man!

Looking forward to hear from you