3-cell extender for 2-cell Pila, Wolf Eyes lights?

The Pila GL3XR and Wolfeyes 9M use two Pila 150As to drive a 9V bulb at 7.4V, for 130 or 135 lumens. Their heads are the same heads used in their larger lights (GL4 series and M90). Those 7.8-inch-long lights will pump out 195 to 200 lumens when equipped with the 12V bulb and four CR123As...but only 130 to 135 lumens when using two Pila 168A cells and the 9V bulb.

Could someone make a threaded extender that would allow the GL3XR and 9M to use three 150As? I figure that the 11.1V (3x3.7V), fed into a 12V bulb, would deliver about 180 lumens in a light that's 8.6 inches long. In fact, the 12V bulb would be less underdriven than the 9V bulb driven by two Pilas (92& vs. 82%).

Would anyone else be interested in this extender?

Re: 3-cell extender for 2-cell Pila, Wolf Eyes lig

Hold on: Why not use three protected rechargeable 3.7V 123A cells with the 12V bulb--no extender needed, perfect fit, 180 lumens in a body just 6.7-inch long. Has anyone tried this? Aside from the lower capacity (750 ma vs. 1250 ma), any drawbacks?

Re: 3-cell extender for 2-cell Pila, Wolf Eyes lig

Might the current draw be too much for R123s? If equiped with the LED tailcap, the Pila doesn't have a clickie switch for repeated hits to warm up the incan filament.

Re: 3-cell extender for 2-cell Pila, Wolf Eyes lig

Phaserburn,
Clickie switches are available for all the Pilas. But in my scheme (3x3.7V), I believe you'd actually be feeding about the exact same amount of voltage as four 3V 123As--perhaps a bit more.

I didn't know that it's recommended to "prime" a xenon bulb by powering it intermittently a few times.

Re: 3-cell extender for 2-cell Pila, Wolf Eyes lig

Hmmm, according to Batterystation.com, RC123As are not ideal for multiple-cell use:

"The RCR-123A battery has proven to work best in single cell applications; especially single cell LED flashlights. This battery has a safety circuit which protects it against overloads, short circuits, etc. When used in series, the batteries sometimes will "open" or go to the fault condition as they think there is a problem. The more closely balanced or evenly charged they are, the easier it is to use them in series."

Re: 3-cell extender for 2-cell Pila, Wolf Eyes lig

After spending some time researching, I've discovered that the Pila / Wolf Eyes miniturbo 9-series is not the only platform in which you can place a high-powered bulb assembly into a smaller body to achieve a brilliant beam for a shorter time:
<ul type="square">[*]Pila G2x / Wolf Eyes 6x: Take a 9V bulb assembly from a narrow-head 3-cell Pila or Wolf Eyes and place it in a Pila G2, GL2 series or Wolf Eyes 6A, 6H, or 6T with two protected 3.7V RC123A cells (7.4V). Maybe the Wolf Eyes 9V bulb assembly from their 45mm head would fit the 42mm head of the Wolf Eyes 6M and 6MX.
[*]Ultrafire 9 series: Take a G&P G120 12V, 200-lumen bulb (used in the UF12) and place it in a UF9 with three protected 3.7V RC123A cells (11.1V). Cost: $42 plus cells.
[*]Ultrafire 6-series: Take a G&P G90 9V, 120-lumen bulb (used in the UF9) and place it in a UF6 with two protected RC123A cells (7.4V). Cost: $40 plus cells.
[*]G&P 9 series: Take a G&P G120 12V, 200-lumen bulb and place it in any of several G&P 3-cell, Surefire-compatible bodies with three protected RC123A cells (11.1V).
[*]G&P 6-series: Take a G&P G90 9V, 120-lumen bulb and place it in any of several G&P 2-cell, Surefire-compatible bodies with two protected RC123A cells (7.4V). In fact, a similar package is sold here (G&P 9R Rechargeable Flashlight Set) and here (Tactical G9 9V Xenon Flashlight Rechargeable Combo with 3V--not 3.7V--RC123A cells).
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Of course, at today's RC123A capacities (about 700 mah), runtime drops to 15 to 25 minutes.