Is this even possible: 1000 lumens, single cell

18500 SINGLE cell (or smaller)

As i have an XP1 charger for walking and camping as it charges NiMH, i wanted to try a lith for my EDC as i could get higher lumens...


As the largest lith an XP1 can charge is an 18500, wondered if theres any torch asides from that nitecore EA that can kick out near a thousand lumens on single cell, 18500 or smaller

[h=1]Moddoolar Head Triple H3 Wasp (15w) from Oveready[/h]
Configurations:
Choose Nichia 219B for smooth beam and best color rendition
900 lumens:

• TL35 with 1x18350
• TL50 with 1x18500
• TL65 with 1x18650

1300 lumens:

• TL65 with 2x18350
• TL100 with 2x18500
• TL130 with 2x18650

Choose CREE XPL for maximum output and tigher beam

1300 lumens:

• TL35 with 1x18350
• TL50 with 1x18500
• TL65 with 1x18650

2100 lumens:

• TL65 with 2x18350
• TL100 with 2x18500
• TL130 with 2x18650

Not available until the Summer I believe.
P

Not a lot of 18500 options unless you go with a p60 host as described above. Even then I don't know of many besides the moddoo hosts. You don't need a triple to get 1000 lumens however. If you got the adapter to use a true p60 head (available from oveready) you can use any of Vinh's harder driven XM-L2 dropins and it will be MUCH less expensive than an Oveready triple.

The problem here is, you're restricting yourself to a very unique battery (and as such, a very small number of possible lights) so you can use your $10 dollar charger.

For as much creativity and money as it would take to get your 1000 lumen 18500 light, you could get an 18650 charger (that would also charge 18500s) and a couple 18650 cells and now your list of 1000 light options is a mile long. If you're worried about size, a Zebralight sc62 is smaller and lighter than the 18500 p60 build above and puts out 1000 lumens.

Come to think of it, a couple of alligator clips will turn your your charger into a 18650 charger.

Another thought, you can probably get one of the Convoy hosts and a hard driven XM-L2 or a triple that will make 1000 lumens. They may even offer an 18500 host.

Good luck!

GeoBruin said:

The problem here is, you're restricting yourself to a very unique battery (and as such, a very small number of possible lights) so you can use your $10 dollar charger.

Click to expand...

More about combined size and weight. I am considering an mh12; 18650 with built in charger, but as i am already carrying an xp1 to charge NiMH's, wanted to make use of that... perhaps 14500 is a good option.... but wanted high output...

Just saw your 14500 thread. In addition to the two you posted I mentioned the eagletac d25a. Vinh has a modded version that will probably push 1000 lumens. The stock version does ~ 750 on 14500. I really like the nitecore too.

The Nitecore EA11 (AA) and EC11 (CR123) will get you 900 lumens with an IMR. EC11 is tiny considering the crazy output. You won't get that for a super long time, but long enough that it's useful and you always have the lower outputs (plus red) when you want better battery life.

GeoBruin said:

For as much creativity and money as it would take to get your 1000 lumen 18500 light, you could get an 18650 charger (that would also charge 18500s) and a couple 18650 cells and now your list of 1000 light options is a mile long. If you're worried about size, a Zebralight sc62 is smaller and lighter than the 18500 p60 build above and puts out 1000 lumens.

Come to think of it, a couple of alligator clips will turn your your charger into a 18650 charger.

Click to expand...

Agreed. The SC62w is less than 3.8 inches long and weighs all of three ounces WITH battery. You would be hard-pressed to do better than that with an 18500 light. Not to mention that going 18650 will effectively DOUBLE available battery capacity. As for the charger, go for an MC1/MC1+. They are not ALOT bigger than the MC0. And both are under $10 (the MC1 costs the same as the MC0).

GoingGear.com said:

The Nitecore EA11 (CR123) and EC11 (AA) will get you 900 lumens with an IMR. EC11 is tiny considering the crazy output. You won't get that for a super long time, but long enough that it's useful and you always have the lower outputs (plus red) when you want better battery life.

Click to expand...

@GoingGear, you got them backwards. The EA11 is single AA or 14500, and the EC11 is single CR123s or 18350 IMR, either of which would be ideal for you. Their rating claims 900 lumens, so technically that is not 1000, but close enough for most of us. From the looks of the run times, both lights step down on turbo, but how often does one use Turbo for more than a minute or two anyway. If you need to use Turbo longer than that on a regular basis, you really need a bigger light.

1000 lumens on a single 18500 cell is very possible.

I modded a Convoy S2+ mini to do this.

* shortened the pill to make room for an 18500 cell.
* removed the stock star and reflector and replaced them with triple XPL neutral 3D tint with modified Carclo 10507 optic.
* removed tailcap switch and installed a side electronic switch.
* replaced driver with a FET driver.
* installed a heatsink around the head of the light.

It runs on a single IMR 18500 cell. Entire light is just 73mm long ... barely larger than a Zebralight SC52.

Output at turn-on with a fresh cell is 2500-3000 lumens. It's amazingly bright for such a tiny light.

Timothybil said:

@GoingGear, you got them backwards. The EA11 is single AA or 14500, and the EC11 is single CR123s or 18350 IMR, either of which would be ideal for you. Their rating claims 900 lumens, so technically that is not 1000, but close enough for most of us. From the looks of the run times, both lights step down on turbo, but how often does one use Turbo for more than a minute or two anyway. If you need to use Turbo longer than that on a regular basis, you really need a bigger light.

Click to expand...

Yeah, that's my bad. I went back and put in the battery types afterward and you see what you get when you don't proofread.

Timothybil said:

@GoingGear, you got them backwards. The EA11 is single AA or 14500, and the EC11 is single CR123s or 18350 IMR, either of which would be ideal for you. Their rating claims 900 lumens, so technically that is not 1000, but close enough for most of us. From the looks of the run times, both lights step down on turbo, but how often does one use Turbo for more than a minute or two anyway. If you need to use Turbo longer than that on a regular basis, you really need a bigger light.

Click to expand...

One guy measured his EC11 on purple Efest IMR at 1100 lumens at turn-on. Sounds like Nitecore may have low-balled their 900 lumen estimate.

And this is with the LED mounted on a thin aluminum star. Could probably get another 10% output swapping to a direct copper star, though mounting the red LED on it would be a pain.

I am running an Oveready setup with zerores shorty, TL35 tube, and smooth P60 head. I have a Vihn54 drop-in XML2 at 3A. It should be close to 1000 LED lumens. Not worrying about the actual lumen output I can say that it is a very useful light.

You could switch to a TL50 tube and run 2x18350 with one of Vihn's XHP50 drop-ins to get an even brighter light. The 18350s would work in your charger.

In summary it is possible you just have to chose what you want.

GeoBruin said:

Another thought, you can probably get one of the Convoy hosts and a hard driven XM-L2 or a triple that will make 1000 lumens. They may even offer an 18500 host.

Click to expand...

Doesn't there exist a short version of the Convoy S2+ that takes both 16340/CR123A and 18350? Don't there exist 18350's that can push 3~4A? Or perhaps a regular CR123A can do that?

If so, the right driver & LED in that host could very well put you in 1000 lumens territory. That is: for a few minutes, before it does a meltdown through your hand... :laughing:
Possibly with a lot less effort than Fireclaw18's mod as described above.

Here's the Hot setup for 18350 - 10.5A!

http://www.efestpower.com/Product/4587161618.html

http://www.efestpower.com/Product/4916375421.html

Thanks,
-Chuck