Are there any mini “soda” can/SRK type lights that take 4 x 14500”s either in parallel or 2S2P configuration ?
I have found several that take 4AA”s but none that are compatible with 14500”s ?
One wonders could one of those 4*AA be modded to take 1-4 14500 parallel cells?
There we have it, the Q7/Q8, just like the X5/X6.
The issue with a 4x 14500 is that there is no point for it to exist.
A single 18650 has 50% more power, a 20700 has almost double, a 26650 has over twice the power and a 32650 has 2.5x the power of 4x 14500.
Not to mention far larger current capability with these other cells.
The real clincher is the fact that even the 32560 is smaller then the 14500’s.
Put simply 14500’s suck, they are way behind the times and just not very good batteries. They have the same amount of power as an AA.
The far better option is a 26650 or 32650 light with a 4xAA carrier.
Also the cost of a single larger cell will be less then 4x 14500 as well.
Can anyone think of anything the 14500 would do better?
So how is this compatible with 14500 batteries?
Probably so in the case of the TK4A. Modding the tail pcb would be simple enough, modding the back of the driver less so(especially since they’re glued shut). As is the case with the ZY-T08 it might be simpler to have a pair of Oshpark boards made and use them with shorter springs. The top board would locate +/- on the driver and a B- connection established. A metal center post cell carrier could do that and the clover leaf cell cavity would ensure correct alignment.
What’s the point. A single 18650 is better than 4x14500s in most respects.
I agree with T_A. It is too bad, but 14500s, along with 18350s for that matter, suck in terms of their energy density compared to 18650s. The only cool thing one could do with 4x14500 is to use a XHP35 without a boost driver, but the runtime would not be great.
I am building a 14500 sized tube light for EDC when I’m wearing tighter pants (S2+ is a bit took thick then). FYI, based on HKJ’s data, the windyfire 14500 is the best high discharge cell. 650 mAh and ~80mOhm IR. The sanyo 14500 has the most capacity, but the IR is very high.
wow!
XHP35hi with AA cells, impressive!
I’m guessing the driver itself would look at 4.2V and interpret that as almost depleted cells. I’m not sure how much overhead the driver needs either or whether 8.4V is too high for the input voltage.
I was only asking as there is a deal on with a UK seller for Sanyo UR14500P”s for $1.80 per cell.
I have no 14500 lights & am not really interested in a single 14500 light but a 4P x 14500 would have 4.2v 3200mah so a reasonable run time ?
I would not bother getting 14500”s to run 4 x 14500 in a carrier in a 26650 light as I already have plenty of 26650”s .
As these 14500”s were so cheap I was just wondering if there was a worthwhile use for them.
It sounds like probably there isn”t ?
Not to worry just I hate to miss a bargain if I can make use of something & these cells were only a quarter of their usual price.
4 x 14500 Sanyo URP is ~3200 mAhr and shorter than 18650. With a 4S/2S2P buck or 4P linear driver you’ll get the low drain but higher capacity optimized. I can imagine there might be those who don’t opt for any cells larger than AA and a 4 x 14500 is just a mini SRK for which you don’t need them. The next evolution might be for 3 or 4 emitter versions. The point is we don’t need a point, we want the next imaginable option regardless of perceived benefits(we can make those up as needed 
).
14500 are fun for dual chemistry AA / 14500 lights or dedicated 14500 pocket rockets.
Those Sanyos have just a little more energy in them than an Eneloop pro, but need no boost driver so can deliver the current you desire to the driver.
It would be nice if (as said) 14500 and 18350 would catch up with the progress in 18650 cells, because they’re only about 800mAh.
But the size is nice. I like the smaller lights.
For those considering the sanyo 14500, I’ll say again they have a very high IR (650 mOhms). Only good for low current applications.
And when you use them 4P or 4S buck you get a lower drain situation. Regardless, IMHO the 4AA option is ideal for those who use eneloops and want a mini soup can to put them in.
Sanyo UR14500, With 4 cells capacity is still pretty close to 800mAhr for each even at 1A per cell(4A total), plenty for a single emitter in a tomato paste can.
Yeah, i noticed that with the Astrolus S3…
It’s why i got some WindyFires now, but they’re only 600mAh…
Fandyfire Rook (mini soup can, long ago discontinued) uses 3 14500’s and reg AA’s in parallel.
Have one, unique light with nice beam.