Can UF 504b be run on 2 X CR123?

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

Quick question. Answer is probably buried around here somewhere, but I'm unable to find it through search. I have one of the DD $14 UF 504b "Specials" black version 3 mode XM-L. Even if you can just tell me "yes" or "no" it'll be a big help. Or...

If anyone is willing to expand on the answer, I (and I'm sure others) would be grateful.

E.g: What governs a flashlight's battery options? The drop-in? Or the driver? Both? Are these two components independant of each other?

I know I've seen other sellers list 504b's as "1 pc 18650 or 2 X pcs CR123", though I can't recall where, and I wouldn't necessarily trust this. This one apparently takes 2 X 16340's: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-504b-ha-iii-cree-r2-wc-220-lumen-led-flashlight-1-18650-2-16340-24201

Is this something to do with single mode? Or because it's R2 instead of XM-L (or XP-G, MCE etc) Or are there just different (quality?) 504b's?

2

Do not use 2 x CR123 since the voltage range is described to be only up to 4,2V. That´s the maximum from one 18650 or 16340.

Driver is the part, that defines what battery configurations can be used.

edit: in DX it states "2 x 16340" but in below it says

Voltage Input:

2.7~4.2, 4.2V max


So I´m not so sure before seeing the driver itself.

3

Thanks Cheap Thrills. So you mean that voltage input (battery configurations) depend on the driver and not the drop-in? So I couldn't just "drop in" a higher voltage drop-in, I'd also need to change the driver?

4

The driver is part of the dropin, so if you swap the dropin to a high voltage one it will work. If you have some soldering skills you can swap the driver in your current dropin to a higher voltage one also.

5

Ah! So a drop-in = ready made assembly of emitter, reflector, big spring and driver (did I miss anything?) And although the drop-in will be labelled by voltage and modes, e.g. like this one: http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-cree-t6-3mode-memory-led-dropin-module-42v-max-p-5178, it's actually only the driver part of the whole drop-in module that controls the modes and voltage input? So changing the driver on my 504b drop-in would also change the modes, output, memory etc?

6

Also worth to mention that the wording UF 504B does only say what kind of host is used and absolutely nothing about driver, led emitter or short - drop-in. Fortunately you were toughtfull enough to post a link so we knew what to reply. :) The double CR123A will probably ratlle alot and almost surely burn the driver whic is a low quality one. I replaced all of those the same day upon recieving them.

7

Precisely.

8

Got it! Thanks guys I constantly refer to Flashlight Wiki but so often it's easier to understand this stuff when the question has been phrased in one's own words. So I could use this drop-in: http://solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php?t=RB&s=40&id=289&sname=bulb&xpage=3&sh=1 and use 2 X CR123s because it's up to 6V. But if I wanted to use an extension tube for 3 X 18650 (not that I would, but just pretend) this one covers all bases, <18V: http://solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php?t=RB&s=29&id=42&sname=bulb&xpage=4&sh=1

So now I need to learn about drivers and soldering..

9

You got it! :wink: And that’s the beauty of drop-ins.

10

If I use 2 x CR123A in any of my P60 hosts I just wrap them cells in electrical tape to prevent rattling. Even with 18650s in my L2 and L2P, i have a piece of copy paper inside the tube because the cells will rattle ever so slightly if you tap the light. I don't like to hear anything at all when I hit the light against my hand.

11

I do that with 18650's too. :) German grade precision milling in China at budget price? Dream on!

12

The 504b uses a standard p60 drop-in. Why mess around with soldering and buying drivers when you can just order a dropin that will work with both 18650 and 2xcr123? You can find them on ebay, on manafont, and at solarforce-sales.com, and if you go that route, then you have a spare if you need it.

13

Yeah, but just imagine German engineered high output flashlights. That would be awesome..

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@ trooplewis: Of course, and that's what I will do, at least to start with. But I like to understand anything I'm interested in, and there's no better way than getting to grips hand-on. And I'd get to understand what the rest of you swap posts about..

Also, TBH, I've been unpleasantly surprised at the price of drop-ins. At an average of maybe about $12 for a multi-mode (Manafont) they're nearly as dear as the 504b complete. Might almost as well buy a Solarforce to start with..