Laptop adapter is easier, only two wires to mess with, and it turns on just by plugging it into the wall. Snip off the barrel connector and peel back the outer insulation to get at the + and -.
For an ATX power supply, at the 20-pin connector jumper the green wire to any of the black ground wires and the PSU should turn on (you can snip those two wires free from the connector and then to a toggle switch if you want, or splice them together permanently if you want to unplug it to turn it off). Some newer PSUs already have an on/off switch on the back, in that case just splice the green to black. The yellow & black wires at any of the 4-pin molex connectors will be your DC+12v source.
Thanks tatasal, I had not considered that. I simply assumed the chargers would be using the correct CC/CV methodology and terminating correctly. This is a flawed assumption.
However, it is my understanding that the last hour of charging in that algorithm is at a very low current and doesn't contribute significantly to the overall energy pumped in. There would of course be some differences but I wouldn't have thought it would have caused the cell to run out "much earlier"?
Wouldn't the resting voltage check an hour or so after charging give an indication of this? Or more than an hour?
Without access to a hobby charger, I guess some spot checks of voltage at various runtimes would be in order to see if there were any serious imbalances developing. Of course, one would hope that any cells used in series applications were quality protected units.
The one I bought from nitro awhile ago came with a laptop adapter, but it also just plugged into the Accucel, i.e., using the original laptop adapter plug.
Sorry for getting so off-topic in a thread about a new light but just a quick question comfychair.
I seem to recall reading some years ago that standard computer PSU's needed a dummy load when testing outside of the PC. Something about a switching power supply being damaged by running with no load.
Is this no longer the case? Would the hobby charger outputting to a couple of cells really be enough of a load?
Laptop bricks and wallwarts are obviously designed slightly differently.
It depends on the PSU; I think the load issue is just down to a voltage accuracy thing, and the load, if it needs one, is on the +5v line. I don't think it affects the +12v rail's output. I've never run across one that didn't work right without the external load trick though, and I think the ones that have that issue are fairly rare.
I don't know the Accucel 6 personally, depending on the model some have a barrel socket and others just have leads with alligator clips. The one I have is slightly different (Turnigy MAX80W) and just has the wire/clip input. But there are many variations in barrel connector dimensions so fit isn't guaranteed, it's down to luck. Laptop chargers are universal in that they are all around the right voltage and current to run a hobby charger no matter what style plug they use. Trying to find an adapter with a specific size plug to match a specific socket on a specific charger would be something of a nightmare, I imagine. Most listings will only give the compatible laptop models, and not the actual plug dimensions.
All great information, and my S2200 and it’s load of Panny cells are on the way so I now feel better prepared to fire up this bad boy with some knowledge behind my belt. I’ve checked with local law enforcement (my neighbor) as to my planned beamshot location and am chomping at the bit to see how this giant performs.
My target is 770 yds. Virtually nothing in between. From some 40’ elevation across water with the lakes dam about 10 yds to the left. So there will be visual 3D confirmation of the distance traveled to beam left, nothing but water to beam right. Unless someone happens to be fishing, then they might take offense! lol
I don’t know about a “review” but I’d be more than happy to take some pictures of it, disassemble it within reason and share some beamshots. Essentially Foy has already reviewed it in the S1100, this one has a different emitter and probably different UI in the driver, not something that’s gonna show up in pictures though. I know the UI is different because the selector switch on the side (the one that glows green with good charge and red when low) goes through Hi-Med-Lo as a default, but a 2 second hold on this button gets you into the strobe and beacon modes. Nice job, hiding those. Don’t mind them being there just hate cycling through em to find Lo.
So, will this site work for beamshots? This was taken before sunrise so it’s a bit dark…but that gate tower is 770 yds away. Should be a good test and actually a bit far away for my competitor the HD2010.
Really looking forward to your review. The Crelant 7G10 has been somewhat of a disappointment to me. I'm hoping it's just a matter of them not driving the LED hard enough.
It's the same light with a fundamentally different LED that's built for a fundamentally different purpose. If you're looking for a laserbeam thrower, you'll be disappointed with the MT-G2. If you want something that makes you laugh every time you switch it on, and go around to random strangers and say "dude, check this out!", you will love it.
So, Comfychair, are you saying the MT-G2 won’t have the throw of the XM-L2 in the S1100? I’m not looking for that “laser beam” pencil thin thrower, but would like a nice enough hot spot for it to throw with a huge compliment of spill.
The reflector design with it’s diameter and depth are very much targeted at throw, so if the larger MT-G2 is going to nullify that, why bother? TIR optics on an XM-L2 give flood if that’s wanted.
Now you’ve got me thinking it won’t hit that gate tower at 770 yds. Not a big deal really, 500 yds or even a great amount of light at 300 yds would still tickle me and perhaps cause some coyotes to cease existence.
This is what the Elektrolumens Triple XM-L2 in a 3D Maglight does, with a modified 9A battery drain and something in the neighborhood of 3000 lumens through TIR optics.
Edit: If the MT-G2 causes the S2200 to have a similar floody beam it will be up for sale the following day.
No, it will not have the throw of a XML in the same size reflector - just compare the die sizes between the two. They're completely different. BUT, it is still a very tight beam, and still throws farther than anything I have around here to aim it at. It reaches out something like 3 times as far as a 'good' SkyRay King, even though they're both close to the same amount of light. And don't forget, a 2000+ lumen SRK will be using better than 2 amps to each LED, while the S2200 is only 3-3.3ish. A MT-G2 at the same total power would make the SRK seem like a 3D Maglite with an incandescent bulb.
But throwers are very strange beasts and their fans are rather strange, too... sacrificing output and practicality for extreme distance for nothing other than comparing it to other lights built for the same purpose... I just don't get it. I'll take a usable beam over a white laser every time.
I was not at all happy with the S1100 when it still had the XML/XML2 in it. I fkin' LOVE it with the MTG2. :love:
I have a feeling it won’t be as floody as the Elektrolumens Triple XM-L2. A tentative prediction: the difference between the S2200 and S1100 is that the MT-G light throws a hugeass hotspot and has brighter spill with excellent tint; the reflector’s prodigious depth precludes it being a true flooder. That said, I (tentatively) reckon it’ll be in the neighborhood of ~60kCd and 500 meters of ANSI throw (distance to .25 lux). Yakkity yak, we’ll find out soon enough
Thanks for that confirmation Comychair, thought I was gonna get another wall of light. If you’re that pleased with the swap over, I probably will be as well.
I don’t like a light that has nothing but spot. I want to see what’s in the surroundings as well as what’s way out there…don’t want anything sneaking up on me while I’m illuminating one small area.
Jim, the UI is different in the driver and the power output to the emitter is likely different as well. We’ll see. And the only reason it’s a $30 difference at the moment is because the new one’s on sale and so is the old one.
Not a big deal really, 500 yds or even a great amount of light at 300 yds would still tickle me and perhaps cause some coyotes to cease existence.