Putting 18650's in CR123 x2 only lights

PayBack · Oct 11, 2010

Hi ppl...

I like the form factor of the Olight SR50 much more than that of the M31, but it only takes CR123's (or I believe RCR's at much reduced runtime) where as the M31 can use 18650's, making it much cheaper to run.

My question is, what would happen if I put 3x 18650's (assuming they fit) in an SR50? I'm guessing it would be bad, but am curious anyway.

Also I thought there's rechargeable batter = to 2 x CR123?

Lighthouse one · Oct 11, 2010

In some cases the 18650 is too large in diameter. It's 18mm vs 16mm for the 123.
THe 18650 runs around 4.0 volts under load. 2 123 around 6.
You'll have to wait for someone who has the light to chime in...but in many cases the 18650 can replace the 2 123 batt if the driver will run ok at the voltage.

PayBack · Oct 12, 2010

Ok so it doesn't sound like it will go BANG!

aEx155 · Oct 12, 2010

PayBack said:
My question is, what would happen if I put 3x 18650's (assuming they fit) in an SR50? I'm guessing it would be bad, but am curious anyway.

3x18650 = 4v*3 = 12 volts = bad idea

1x18650 = 4v < 6v = no explosions

I did have a driver fail on my by running it on half the voltage it was made for, though.

goki · Oct 12, 2010

A quote from the website:

Battery: 6 x CR123A batteries or RCR123A( Runtime will reduce)

For CR123A, that's 6 x 3v = 18v. If you use RCR123A's, 6 x 4v = 24v.

Looks like a no go for me. 3 x 18650's = 12v.

PerttiK · Oct 12, 2010

Do we know that the batteries are in series?
If they are and this light uses a buck circuit then 3x18650 should work assuming they fit?

goki · Oct 12, 2010

PerttiK said:
Do we know that the batteries are in series?
If they are and this light uses a buck circuit then 3x18650 should work assuming they fit?

Ah, yes. I forgot about the other types of battery configuration.

I saw a picture of the SR50's battery carrier and it looks like a bank of battery (2 x CR123A/RCR123A) is definitely in series.

Deducing from that, possible configurations are:
- all batteries in series config = 18-24v
- 2s3p config (2 in series, 3 banks in parallel) = 6-8v

Chances are, its using a 2s3p setup.
Either of those two configuration requires a bit more voltage that 3x18650's cannot provide though.

jorn · Oct 12, 2010

edit. wrong m31

PayBack · Oct 13, 2010

So there's no recharable battery the same output, size and shape as 2x CR123?

Surely they'd sell well to ppl like me!

Putting 18650's in CR123 x2 only lights

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