SST-50 drop in

I just paid for a nailbender SST-50 drop in and i want this to be as bright as possible. The light will be using one 18650 2600mAh from Deal Extreme. Should i get it as a direct drive? Or 2.5A regulated?

It depends on the use...if you don't care about runtime, then get an aw imr 18650 and direct drive.
for the noname-cell i would prefer the regulated version. also if you want to have different modes. maybe nailbender can add some 7135's on top to put it up to over 3A.

Fichtenelch said:

It depends on the use...if you don't care about runtime, then get an aw imr 18650 and direct drive.
for the noname-cell i would prefer the regulated version. also if you want to have different modes. maybe nailbender can add some 7135's on top to put it up to over 3A.

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I bought two drop-ins. One is a dual XP-G to be used as my primary light. The other is the SST-50 for "tactical" use so i want that one to be as bright as possible preferably with a single mode.

What is a 7135?

anonymoususer said:

I just paid for a nailbender SST-50 drop in and i want this to be as bright as possible. The light will be using one 18650 2600mAh from Deal Extreme. Should i get it as a direct drive? Or 2.5A regulated?

Click to expand...

First, please don't use a DX 18650. really:thumbsdow

Next; what is your hosts? is it a 6P?

Unless you are using NiMH C cells or a Fivemega hosts you need to stay away from Direct drive.
Plus, see the OTF lumens here:
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/260659

bigchelis said:

First, please don't use a DX 18650. really:thumbsdow

Next; what is your hosts? is it a 6P?

Unless you are using NiMH C cells or a Fivemega hosts you need to stay away from Direct drive.
Plus, see the OTF lumens here:
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/260659

Click to expand...

Yes it is a SF 6P.

Can you please explain why i should stay away from direct drive?

Ive got the 2.5 reg 3 mode in a bored C2 and its
pretty darn bright... Id be surprised if you were disappointed
with it. Its got a HUGE hotspot.

anonymoususer said:

Yes it is a SF 6P.

Can you please explain why i should stay away from direct drive?

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Direct Drive = a lot of current. I got 5.68A at the tail with my 6P and IMR 18650. I do not feel safe using anything but IMR cells with those levels of current. Plus; I do not think the DX 18650's are made for 3~6A of current.

If you have a small hosts like the 6P more than 3A of current you will not see any increase in lumens just heat. I have yet to test a 12 or 15 watt P60 type light that makes impressive OTF lumens. I have seen 15 watt P60 style Fivemega 3C Hosts deliver awesome OTF numbers, but that is a huge light vs. the 6P plus those awesome numbers where done with Tenergy NiMH C 5000mAh cells not li-on or IMR cells.

bigC

Thanks a lot for the information folks. I just messaged nailbender to change my order to a 2.5A regulated.

:twothumbs

psychbeat said:

Ive got the 2.5 reg 3 mode in a bored C2 and its
pretty darn bright... Id be surprised if you were disappointed
with it.

Click to expand...

Suprised yet? lol


I had the 2.5A version but sold it, now I have the single mode direct drive with a DX 25500 batt that stays under 4A and its very bright, brighter then my SST-90.