Solarforce L2

carl8190

Banned
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
182
Location
Guildford, United Kingdom
Can someone help I just brought a solarforce l2 and it came with 2 cr123 i put a 18650 in and it works fine. I looked at the r2 drop in and it says 4.2-8.4v but a 18650 is only 3.7v so how come it works?
 

don.gwapo

Enlightened
Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
949
Location
My avatar!
When a 18650 is fully charge it reads 4.2V then decreases in voltage as you use it. At 3.7 volts, your batt is almost depleted. Same story with RCR123.
 

dirtech

Enlightened
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Messages
451
Location
Pocatello
Your drop in will in regulation or constant output between 4.2 and 8.4 volts. Below that and your in direct drive mode or its constantly dimming.
 

dirtech

Enlightened
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Messages
451
Location
Pocatello
If you use 2 batts you can get your constant outputwith a sudden cut of with protected bats. Or you can have long run times with a gracefull decline in output. Then you top the bat off for full output again. I prefer using an18650 bat in you situation. Your dropin is more versatile in its current configuration.
 

march.brown

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
1,472
Location
South Wales, UK
Can someone help I just brought a solarforce l2 and it came with 2 cr123 i put a 18650 in and it works fine. I looked at the r2 drop in and it says 4.2-8.4v but a 18650 is only 3.7v so how come it works?
.
What voltage does your 18650 measure ? ... I assume that you have a digital meter as you obviously charge up your 18650s ... Are you using a protected 18650 cell ? ...

As far as your flashlight is concerned , when you notice the light output dropping just put a charged 18650 in and recharge the other cell back to its fully charged voltage of 4.2 volts ... Before charging , make a note of the voltage of the used cell for future reference ... 3.6 volts is empty , 3.7 volts is about 20% left , 3.8 volts is about 40% left.

You might feel better by getting another drop-in , they are available for less than £10 on the dreaded Ebay ... I am considering getting a three mode one with just a high , medium and low output for one of my L2s ... At present they have five modes in.
.
 
Top