awesome thanks between…
can you do a favor and measure these two distances? I only use flat-top, unprotected cells so this is a concern for me…. I’d be a little uncomfortable if the +B of the batteries is close to the -B trace on the board.
Distance between outsides of the buttons is about 27.5mm
Inside Diameter of the circle on the board is 24mm, so the cells overlap and actually rest on the circle.
Please explain this to me - I'm an electronics dunce and I would be curious why it makes a difference. I've measured length on the KP's and they are identical (68.5mm) to the CK's. So out of curiosity, I tightened the board by about a half turn (didn't notice it being loose before) and inserted the Keeppowers and they now work fine. So I checked the distance on these and it's about 23.5mm. Does the lower surface area of the button tops cause more pressure on the board?
thanks for the great review and info found in this thread!
I hope you guys don’t mind me asking can someone please recommend some decent 18650 batteries from Manafont?
I am asking because i am interested in this bad boy but i need a pair of 18650 and would like to order all my stuff from 1 place and have the shipped at once (i live on the other side of the world ><)
I already have the trustfire TR-001 charger.
No one that I know of has found fakes at Manafont. I have two pairs and they work fine, but they don't have the advertized capacity. Seems to be some issues with shipping out batteries from China lately, though.
Ok, kramer and scaru: Apparently my CK flat tops are overlapping the -B trace on the board, and the KP button tops are right at it, so why am I not having an issue with either? I've shaken it and even rode with it on my bike briefly and had no issues or mode switching, although the light is really too big for biking.
scaru pretty much nailed it…
If the +B of either cell touches that outer trace !! you’ve got a short across the batteries (-B to +B). Probably not a big deal with small button cells like the ones in olds picture, but flat tops and unprotected cells with wide/blunt +B could be a problem. I would be very cautious using the 27.5mm cells if the ID of the -B trace is only 24mm across. With protected cells is less of a concern though…. but still its not good practice to trigger the protection circuit on any cell.
THANKS!!! very useful information, I think I’l pass on this light… either that or get small button top cells.
Thats a good question…??? I can’t answer that one. EDIT One possibility is that -B “looking” trace-ring (where scaru points to) is not actually grounded/connected to the -B battery tube on the battery side of the board.
I bought a pair of them and have them in my Olight M3X. They are in a word awesome. And they are only about a dollar more. So however much mah gain they are over the 2400mah Trustfire Flames I don’t know, but I have read they are a higher mah battery vs the flames.
I would tell you to get the Xtar 2600mah batteries but they won’t fit in certain lights. I myself have great luck with Hi-Max. But then again they may not fit in certain lights. But typically work in most.
Kramer, do what I’ve done. I am guessing you have a bunch of the flat-topped Panasonics Rev. Jim sold a while back like I do. I use then in my King by adding a quick and simple button to them. Get these magnets from BIC for $1.79 . They are only 1mm high but 3mm wide so there is no chance they will reach the outer ring and short anything out. I put one on the center of the positive end then to secure it, then I use a superglue in gel form (only $1 for two tubes at my local Dollar Tree store) to apply a bead around the base of the magnet. This keeps it from ever dislocating if the flashlight is dropped. If you ever need to remove it you can chip/scrape off the bead of glue or use solvent then pop off the magnet.
For both TF batteries from Manafont, I find the 2400mAh version to be superior. My TF3000 only do 2500mAh or so, only 100+ more than the sibling, but the voltage sag is significant in it after a few months (no heavy use). TF2400 is more solid performer.
Thanks for all of your replies guys really appreciate it!
Damn flashlights is driving me crazy lol hardly sleeping. Keep on reading reviews and tips here at BLF and still can’t pull the trigger on my first 18650 setup lol
