Cheap light to use 18650?

Ty_Bower

Flashlight Enthusiast
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Feb 18, 2004
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Newark, DE
I've found a bunch of 18650 Li-Ion cells. They're bare, unprotected cells.

I'd like to find a nice light in which to use them. It would be good if it were inexpensive. I think something like a Surefire U2 would work well, but it isn't even close to the "inexpensive" criteria.

I don't really care if it's regulated or direct drive. It probably ought to have some kind of discharge protection built into the light, as these are bare cells.

Any ideas? Or will I have to build my own?
 

Paul_in_Maryland

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Mar 27, 2005
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Try these 1x18650A lights from MicroFire, the new line from Wolf Eyes:

M2 (80 lumens Xenon + 10 lumens LED)

M2L (two-stage, 130-lumen 5W LED)

You can buy the M2 flashlight and the M2L head, or vice versa.

No pricing yet on the 5W light or head, but an M2 is now on eBay for about currently on eBay for $46 BIN. Whoa--forget it: That's the nonrechargeable version, which uses a 6V lamp. You need the rechargeable version (3.7V lamp). So you need to buy the 2L 5W light. From there you can add a 3.7V xenon/LED bulb assembly--except I doubt the unprotected 18650 can be used without instaflashing the xenon lamp.
 

cy

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Dec 20, 2003
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USA
the $46 version is a zenon light with low level using 6x nichia looking leds.

one of cheapest luxeon light using 18650 is still a mod. PM6 LED for aprox. $49. then bore out body to 18.25mm to acept 18650 or 2x CR123.

pm6 18650 2.JPG
 

Ty_Bower

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Feb 18, 2004
Messages
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Location
Newark, DE
Will the Pelican M6 LED be bright with a single 18650 cell? I think that light was originally designed to run off 2xCR123A cells. That would be about 6 volts. The 18650 will at best give 4.2 volts.

Does the M6 LED have a buck converter in it to drop the voltage? Or is it just resistored?
 
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