I am looking to buy one of these Solarforce L2:
http://www.solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php?t=FB&s=1&id=21
and I am looking for the perfect 3 mode module for it. There seams to be a billion 1 and 5 mode, but I can't seem to find a good 3 mode. I want it to be bright, but not "melt you eyes" bright. My biggest wants are for it to be an LED and have an extended run time (greater than 2 hours if not more) using 2 cr123 batteries with NO SOS or strobe.
Any suggestions?
Welcome kjk! Thanks for joining BLF, we're glad to have you.
This is what the doctor ordered:
http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-cree-t6-3mode-memory-led-dropin-module-42v-max-p-5178
It is melt your eyes bright on high, but it also has a very usable medium and decent low mode. And no strobe. I love mine, as do most users here.
But that is only 4.2 Volts max, so won't 2- cr123's overload it?
Yes two CR123 cells would overpower the LED and could cause damage. I am curious, have you considered an 18650 cell and charger? I know that it may add more money and I am not sure if you looked into this option.
option 1:
option 2:
but it has strobe mode which stinks
You will get better help from those who are teaching me, so let the pros do their thing. :)
Aloha and welcome to BLF kjk!
I bought this last month...
smooth reflector (throwy) or
orange peel reflector (floody)
and I run an 18650 (usually), or cr123 with a battery extender for added flexibility. Nicely bright on high, (mfg claims 320 lms), I get 1 hr runtime but gets HOT. Medium setting is nice, use-able brightness, I got about 4 hrs., low is the runtime king, mfg claims over 30 hrs. Low enough to do tasks and read without night-blindness.
I haven't found a better / cheaper drop-in than these yet, and I have been looking. It would be hard to build your own for much less, not worth my time.
I bought a charger with 4x 18650's because I think they are the most practical power sources, and I'm going to buy more 18650 based lights soon. Primary 123's do have a long shelf life, and I do like the ability to use them if need be. A couple of 18650's and a charger means you can use your light as much and as often as you'd like. You should get several HUNDRED re-charges for say less than $20.00.
I don't see a benefit from higher voltage, since you're not interested in super bright anyway. And lastly, brighter is hotter. An L2 host will do it, but it is not the best use.
Good luck!
DX sells a ramping drop in - I have 2 ATM , and I really like them ...
The two I have are very nice ..
What is a battery extender? And I assume that means that you can run 1 cr123 in the L2 that usually needs 2? Is that correct? But the runtime is still good with 1 cr123 instead of 2?
Personally I recommend you switch to a single 18650 and get the 3-mode xm-l simpleman recommended. You won't be sorry.
And welcome to BLF!
Johnny
Why don't you just get one of the ones from Solarforce-sales.com ?
I have bought several from them, and they are decent drop-ins.
So many choices, and I don't see any with only 3 modes, plus the ones I was looking at are not for the battery configuration that I wanted.
kjk200, the only thing that you've said about batteries is using cr123's, OK, why?
The only thing that I see them offer is long shelf life. If you don't mean to store your light for long periods un-used, primary batteries are expensive.
You won't gain additional brightness or run-time against lithium 18650 rechargeables.
Look at my post earlier, I provided two different 3 mode, no strobe 4.2 volt drop-ins to check out. They are both under $14.00 each.
I have the one with the smooth reflector. With a lithium 18650 battery I get run-times of High=1 hour, Medium=4 hours, the factory claims Low run-time of 30+ hours, I haven't checked that out myself.
Perhaps you can tell us in more detail just exactly what you're looking for... Which battery configuration and why, might give us something to go on to help.
Go luck!
I will look into the rechargeables in the next year or so, but I have a pretty good stash of Duracell CR123's that I got for a great price when I got my first high powered flashlight! Just the 123's that I have on had right now will last me for several (5) years at the current rate of use. That is why I am looking at hosts and lamps that will handle 2 cr123's for right now; besides, I can always use less battery power than a lamp is rated for but not more ---correct?
The light that I am looking for will mostly be stored in the bedroom for a "when things go bump in the night", but MIGHT also get attached to the AR-15 if need be. If I only get to order one lamp, I want to make sure that it is acceptable for a widerange of applications. This is especially true since I am such a noob, and I am not sure where my light addication will go in the future. I hope this all makes sense, but if not it has been a long day. And thanks for all the help and suggestions. I am learning SO MUCH.
As for the one lamp mentioned in a post above (3 mode with adjustable output): That is EXACTLY what I am looking for, but the reviews are not exactly "glowing" and I don't want to be disappointed with my first lamp because it might kill my addication to bright lights. :(
If I do decide to go with 18650s and a charger, which ones from Deal Extreme should I get get? Thanks!
I think SF has some drop-ins that are 3 mode strobeless and take 6v.
No, I lied. Only their xpg's have 3 mode and they're all 4.2v max. Though to be fair, they're low voltage so if you had l2m host they work w/ 1 123a.
Hi kjk200,
It's been a few days since I've written you about your questions. I am a nooby too, but I have been studying the high-performance LED light scene a lot lately.
The reason I chose a Solarforce L2 host was because of the versatility. I bought a P60 host, 3 mode drop-in, and a 4X 18650 battery and charger combo, for $64.00, delivered.
That light went on my M4 Bushmaster.
Now I'm about to buy a L2T host, but I have not decided on the drop-in yet. I'm thinking about building a 3 mode XP-E based drop-in for throw, and using the first drop-in, in what will be my new, part-time EDC light.
I like having a good light on me ALL of the time.
I hope that you don't have too many "bump in the night" issues. For that I like one of my .40S&W GLOCKS w/ night sights. BTW, I use to shoot at a range that would let me turn the lights out to practice sometimes. Tritium sights are the BEST. You can shoot better in dim light sometimes, rather than bright light, just be safe and know your intended target.
Anyway, with rechargeable batteries, you can grow your collection pretty quick!
Good luck!
later,
I received my Sand solarforce l2 and my l2t. I have to say, these are some nice looking lights.
Now, I just have to wait for my drop ins and other stuff from DX! I did drop in some batteries in the new lights, and was shocked that the batteries have quite a bit of "sideways" room; I don't remember there being that much room in my Ultrafire 502B. Are the 18650 batteries bigger around then the CR123's or are they about the same size?
Hey kjk200,
The Solarforce hosts are bored for 18mm batteries (18650) the 18 is the diameter and the 65 is the length, the "0", means that it's round as opposed to square. All of the "123" batteries are the same size as 16340 lithium's, or 16mm in diameter.
Take a piece of polypropylene milk carton and cut a piece as long as 2X 123 batteries and wide enough to wrap around them and make a sleeve to stop the rattle.
You might also consider making a strip of aluminum or copper (copper transfers heat better, but is expensive), to encircle the drop-in that will JUST allow it to slide into place to help with heat transfer. I used a strip of aluminum from a beverage can that was slightly under 1 inch high and about 4 - 5 inches long. I kept trimming it until it JUST slid in. Excess heat will KILL your emitter / drop-in (same thing). Having the excess heat transfer to the light case will help with LED long life.
Good Luck!
later,