L2i on 3xAAA's, but which drop-in?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Damn this website, I should have stopped visiting once my KD CD was delivered, but no, I kept visiting and reading.

Now I'm looking for another torch. I was set on buying either a Romisen RC-29 or a Trustfire R5-A3, then I found a thread about the Solarforce L2i. So, how would a Solarforce L2i on 3xAAA's, with drop-in of your choice, compare to the above Romisen or Trustfire?

2

Sorry but can only say that I have the L2i with R5 3mode from solar force sales..

I heard that 3x aaa doesnt give enough power for an XML bulb...

But I think that other people can help you more.. But just wanna say that the L2i with 3xaaa eneloop are a nice light. (especially if you want to stick with regular Nimh batteries)

3

The voltage on 3xaaa Nimh in series is 3.6v. With alkaline it's 4.5v so any single cell Li-ion drop-in should work so long as you don't use more than 1amp on max. Those little cells are no good for high drain applications.

4

Sorry, I meant that they (xml) dont "shine" with 3xaaa batteries.

5

What kind of runtime do you get with the R5 drop-in?

6

Thanks for the response, I don't think I fully understand it though! How would I know if I'm using more than 1 amp?

7

Hi, actually I havent checked the runtime.. I guess you are talking about the runtime on High!?

8

Yeah, just wondered whether it's nearer 10minutes or 100minutes!

9

Cant really tell、but at least can say its much longer than 10min.

I can probably check the Amp, and then calculate how long it probably runs on high.

10

Well you need a digital multimeter and follow the instructions here from forum member HKJ: http://www.lygte-info.dk/info/Measurement%20UK.html

This drop-in might work for you but it's not XML. You might not find an XML drop-in that works around 1amp, they tend to be of much higher current. So at low amps getting an XPG or XPE would be better for your 3xAAA light anyway, cheaper too.

Rough runtime: The drop-in below pulls 1200ma on high so if you have 3xAAA in series and Nimh cells of 850mah you can get roughly(very) 42 minutes of runtime. That drop-in is most likely not constant 1200ma, with voltage sag your light will get dimmer and the runtime will increase a bit.

http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=8845

11

Thanks for the drop-in suggestion.

This guy here is using a P7 drop-in, have you any idea what kind of current that uses?

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/1829

12

Read carefully and you will find the answer in that very link.

I case you can't here is the answer:

- measured 3.15 amps with 3-mode Ultra Fire XM-L and 1 x 18650 <<<update>>>

- measured 2.15 amps with 3-mode Ultra Fire XM-L and 3 x AAA alkalines <<<update>>>

13

I love this drop-in, I don't think you can beat it, .8-4.2 volt, XP-G http://solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php?t=RB&s=10&id=113

14

You risk over discharging your NiMh cells with such a low voltage. If you are using alkaline cells then no problem. But NiMh should not be discharged below 0.9v. Or 3AAA x 0.9 = 2.7 volts.

15

Thanks, but I was wondering about the current for the P7. I read the thread, but didn't see any mention of it.

16

This idea is getting more complicated with each post! I think it might be easier to go back down the Romisen RC-29 or Trustfire R5-A3 road!

17

Just measured my R5 xpg solarforce low voltage drop in,

and on high its 0.9Amp.. Medium: 0.35Amp Low: 0.04Amp 0.07A

I use 3xAAA eneloops, with about 800mAh. That gives a rough rutime of 50+ minutes on High.

And about 20 Hours 11 hours on Low!

18

LOL. That's what happens when you ask for help and geeks respond

19

Very helpful, thank you.

20

Haha true! Though I now have much more info to base a decision on!