3 x 18650 extreme run time XM-L. Full 2.8-3.0A current regulation.
2 x 18650, T4 warm white.
Too bad the first one is $55 and second one is $49...plus both Type II anodisation.
The first one is claimed to be 3x18650 in parallel - is it better than in series?
I can't remember which one is more prone to explosions... ;)
Not really sure... it is in parallel though.
Based on CNqualitygoods replies at CPF, the Shadow TC6 is low in stock and will be rebranded later due to marketing reasons. I've seen some feedback at Chinese flashlight sites and they mentioned the quality & workmanship is good. I'm waiting for more reviews on this light.
+1 on that first one. Unique design, I really like that.
Yes, I must also say that it is a very slick design. It's simple and subtle, yet it still stands out. I'd also love that in a pocketable size.
Could it be that "in parallel" means "physically parallel" and not "electrically parallel"?
I mean, current and voltage regulation from 3 batteries in parallel is not easy...
I would bet that it treats the 3 cells as one large cell if it is in parallel (and not using a buck driver from 12.6V)
In parallel its like like having one BIG cell. So how’s it different than a circuit for 1x18650?
Went thru some of the posts. My Chinese is getting rusty.:)
The site mentioned the TC6 had no mode memory and always start on high mode.
I can think of at least three ways to connect three batteries in parallel:
1. The most simple one is to just physically connect them in parallel with a conductor. This will make the batteries "auto balance" themselves (voltage wise), but I suspect that if they are protected the protection circuit might kick in (because of too much negative voltage) and this is a waste of charge anyway. And it's bad practice anyway to have closed unprotected loops in an electrical circuit, so this enforces protected batteries.
2. Connect them physically with diodes to prevent the auto balancing mentioned above, but this relies too much on the protection circuits to shut down the drained batteries. So no waste of charge, but I don't like this solution either, and it enforces the use of protected batteries (since the user has no way to know he's killing an unprotected battery - the output is low compared to the available input power).
3. Connect them separately to the driver, and it will do the load balance. Too complex to be the case, I think.
But I may be wrong. :)
Here's a good read regarding putting cells together with very different SOC.
I'm far less concerned with multiple cells connected in parallel than in series. With that host I'd leave them in the carrier (I assume it has one) and charge them all together Even charging them separately there shouldn't be any issues since there is so little difference between the cells. Putting 2 fully charged cells together with a depleted one may result in bad things, but its is far less dangerous than doing it in series.