Convoy L6... XHP70 Beast!

Oh wow. I just received 4 protected KP from Illumn that measure 26.72mm - 26.75mm. My previous (shorter length KP) measures 26.25mm. They all fit my 3 lights, but just barely. Requires a ramrod to shove them in on my newer Clear L6’s (from Banggood this month). But have more room in a older black L6 (1st with logo, I believe)(which I bought from Matt many months ago). Lengths are still ok, 69.57mm (new) vs 69.39mm old.

Edit

PS. Measured including the metal strip running up the side.

PSS. Latests non protected KP, also from Illum, measure 26.25mm including label.

PSSS. The fit in the new Clear L6 is tighter at the tailcap end than at the headstock end.

What are your battery tubes measuring?

Hmm… that makes me wonder if they are indeed double wrapped now. Any way to compare the wrapping on your old and new ones?

My tubes are

Clear = 26.79mm & 26.83mm (Opposite ends)
Older black = 26.89mm

As far as rewrap, not that I can tell, looking under top or bottom fold over. But if a stock wrapped battery has a new tail & positive button added, then re wrapped, I wouldn’t neccesaily see that.

My cells are not from banggood. I messaged Keeppower about it, but if you can talk to any other dealers that are having this issue so they will speak with keeppower that would be awesome. The more people they hear from (hopefully in a nice way) the better our chances of having this resolved is.

The variations in the body tube are all within reason. I mainly posted this here because Convoy users are the ones who will be most effected by this. I would not object if Simon wanted to add a few thousandths of an inch to the ID moving forward, or some length, but don’t see the light as being the problem.

My first one measures about 27.12mm The newer about 26.87mm Slight variations of those numbers can be had if the calipers are turned.

Hmmm 26.87mm (1.058”) :wink:

Ok, here are my amateur measurements (at their widest point):

L6 clear:
26.88mm (battery entrance end)
26.85mm (driver end)

L6 black:
26.90mm (battery entrance end)
26.95mm (driver end)

Keeppower 26650 5200mah (2)
26.86mm
26.90mm

These cells fit the black L6 like glove, but are too tight on the clear. I could probably force them in, but I’m afraid they won’t come out.

I ordered my KP cells 11/29/16 from illumn.com, my black L6 from Gearbest on 11/11/16, and my silver L6 from Gearbest on 1/26/17

This 26650 cell vs. L6 dilemma is frustrating to me. This is not out of any disappointment with Convoy but in how to approach a “solution”. The problem is mostly in the variance in cell lengths and diameters from one manufacturer to another and even within the same manufacturer from batch to batch. In 26650 cells the length in a 2-cell inline configuration like this, the stacked cells can easily vary by 10 mm or so. This means from a design standpoint you pretty much have to choose an optimum cell or just one in the middle of the size range and allow a ton of spring to compensate on each end. This is not a simple task and there is no one solution that will please everyone. Statements that one will just wait until Simon fixes the problem are not fair or justified IMHO. I don’t say this to call anyone in particular out, just to make all aware of the complexities involved.

I very much appreciate, respect and enjoy my role as trusted advisor to one of my favorite flashlight manufacturers. So, in a case like this new cell diameter issue what do I do? If I ask him to make the I.D. larger for all L6 going forward then we will have complaints of battery-rattle. I will certainly bring this up to Simon and we will discuss what might be done.

The scenario being described here is the curse of the budget flashlight world. There are literally NO manufacturers of the lithium cells we use that intend them for use in flashlights or even individual sale. Lithium cells provide the power we enthusiasts need and now insist on so there is certainly no going back, yet we are reliant on aftermarket companies to add things like protection circuits and button tops in many cases. This is exactly why I reached out to BG and asked them if they could source the exact fit cells we need for the L6 directly from KeepPower.

If anyone ordered from the BG link I have in the OP then I may have a chance at resolving this but from other sources I have no say whatsoever. I do not at all discourage shopping elsewhere for cells but in this case I can only do so much.

As always, feedback will be taken in and I’ll do what I can.

Cheers y’all

Would it be a bad idea for the user to hone the inside of the battery tube out? I think I still have one of those 3 armed drill powered brake cylinder hones.

If you have the equipment and the skill go for it. It’s an excellent solution. :+1:

And unless someone beats me to this response this will be post number 4000 in this thread! :crown:

If you started with an enlarged ID, then smaller diameter batteries could always be compensated for by inserting rolled up layer(s) of paper shims.

I wanted to try out the impressive looking Shockli 26650 5500mah until I found out it was 26.7 mm +/- 0.2mm.

Actually I’m not one for sloppy battery tubes and at 26.87mm Regular batteries are sloppy! You want to use oversize batteries, look at it as a chance to custom fit the tube, which I love doing!

Really all you need is a High Speed Variable drill and 1/4” rod from Home Depot or what ever, sand paper, a hack saw.

Make a Flapper!! :smiley:

I like a custom smooth fit to my weapon lights and even after single point boring I flap out the bore to fit, adds a bit of drag to the cells, helps with recoil, slows the cell (s) from slamming into the driver, that and limiting travel of the cells using rubber bumper (s) at the driver end or both ends, depending on the tube length and cells. Even my Combat lights/flashlights, ever drop a light on the bezel end and have the cells crush or bottom out the driver spring, called coil bind, I have…… once! :wink:

Is there anything wrong with Orbtronic 26650s other than the price? I don’t know what they are under the wrapper but their protected and unprotected cells fit my L6 (black) just fine. Their 18650s seemed to test pretty well.

Thanks KawiBoy1428, I’ve improvised tooling quite a bit in the past. I’ll have check to see if I can even find my cylinder hone, it got retired after my muscle car era. It may be to fine of grit for removing material plus grinding stones tend to easily load up with aluminum, in which case they just burnish and generate heat. I also have a few sizes of drum sanders, as well, in different grits.

Same problem. Got my L6 a couple of weeks ago and yesterday got 2 of the recommended keeppower protected. I think I could force them in but would never get them back out. I have inquires in at keeppower and my supplier. I am hoping the just double wrapped this batch. I can’t imagine we all have to get our lights bored to fit new batteries.

Acquire liitokalas without protection, I have added resistance handle about 7 amps in the tail, there is no risk, a few days ago I produced short circuit in two of these batteries nothing happens at all.

…until you next charge them. :open_mouth:

Hi, I’m sorry, I do not speak English, I use a translator, I clarify the short circuit, it was not in the flashlight, I was measuring charge and opsssss, I made a mistake with the multimeter, the batteries died, but no exploits or anything like that, greetings.

I saw your follow up to this post. This message taken at face value as it was written is bad and dangerous advice that I do not want anyone to follow. I mean no offense to you and I thank you for clarifying that you do not speak English and are using a translator. We have people from all over the world here and all are welcome. Some things do not translate well. Short circuits in lithium cells are always to be avoided as the results can be very bad. This fact is the very reason that Simon clearly said that he only recommends high quality protected cells for use in the L6. Experienced people can do what they wish and many here do so and quite safely but this takes research and knowledge of the battery chemistry and much more. There is a very good thread covering all the basics of lithium ion safety here.