I am thinking about getting a Ultrafire 501B light, and Ultrafire 18650 batteries. I see combinations of that package on ebay for around $20. I also see the Ultrafire charger WF 139 for $7.68 and a 1x TrustFire TR-005 charger for $12.34.
My purpose is to satisfy curiosity as to what does 1,000 lumens look like. I have no need for such a light and would not use it except for a WOW factor. Accordingly, I am not the least interested in paying the price for top notch 18650 batteries and similar chargers.
Since there a lot of “down to earth” types here, I am looking for advice and opinions as to whether the mentioned items would be unsafe? I have never used li-on batteries and read that there is a safety issue. If my plan would be unsafe using or recharging the batteries I will just forget it.
Welcome to BLF, I am sure you will get plenty of good advice.
Typically the package deals come with really poor quality batteries. You will not get 800 lumens without real strong batteries never mind 1000 lumens that isn't going to happen with a single XML emitter.
If you have your heart set on a 501B here is a package i will put together for you.
Thanks for the reply and suggestion. I'll take a look at the recommendations. I just do not want to get into batteries that are $10 - 15 each and similar chargers. I do not doubt that the expensive ones are better, but not worth it to me.
I realize that many of the maker's claims as to output are greatly exaggerated, but I don't think I have ever seen a 500 lumen flashlight. I recently put a Terralux TLE-6EXB bulb in my Mag Lite 3 C cell light. It says it is 140 lumens, but it is surprising how bright it is and the throw. I suppose the size of the reflector has a lot to do with it.
Both of the host I recommended has a much closer fit between the drop-in and the body of the light than the 501b. Whichever model you choose, make sure you wrap your drop-in with aluminum foil to help heat transfer...
i'd just like to mention..stay away from red/black ultrafire batteries..go trustfire flames as E linked you to..501b isn't a great host and is pretty light for xm-l heatsinking..
while possibly counter-intuitive, chicago x is correct.
you can put great batteries into questionable hosts without worry about failure at a crucial time. the opposite is not always true.
no matter how much money you have spent, or how good the light is, if it is expected to come on (and STAY on) at critical times, shitty batteries will fail, or at least be less effective for a shorter period of time.
of course, i would posit, that getting great performance out of stuff that we did not pay much for is our "raison d'etre" here at BLF.
so i guess my point is, buy good batteries (and a decent charger) and you can rest easy that you are getting the maximum from your light under many, different, situations.
then spend waaayyyy too much on waaayyy too many lights, and you will be right at home here at Budget Light.
Honestly though the 501B is not that great of a host. its OK / serviceable, but not the best for high current XML dropins. You are better off spending a little more and going with a solarforce host or one thats better equipped to conduct heat.
I have not decided on what to do about the 501B. I ordered the batteries and charger. I had previously bought off ebay a couple of cheap lights that take the 18650 battery, a 300 lumen focusable zoom 3 mode Cree Q5, and a 7 Watt Q 5. I also ordered a Hugsby P2. I had in mind to go with the 3AAA insert and for the P2 to use CR 123s. I think that will all fit. I have on order some 14500 batteries also. I have already gone in deeper than I intended, but was curious about the various combinations an power sources.
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate any info anyone desires to provide.
EDIT
What is the problem with the Ultrafire batteries? Is it safety or capacity? Thanks.
It's mainly capacity but they have also exploded on candlepowerforums..there's a review here where they measure 1200 ma or so from what I remember..that's just atrocious..
I have a couple Ultrafire 18650s that came free with some light purchases I don't even use them because they have such a low capacity and they both would heat up when I would charge them which is a very bad sign. I have 14500 Trustfire flames that have more capacity than the Blue 18650 Ultrafires. You do not want to be near an 18650 when it decides to vent. Trust me spend a little more on a good battery don't risk burning your house down, blowing your hand off or at the very least just the poor performance of a substandard battery. An XML needs 3 amps to put out 900 lumen the Blue Ultrafires I have can barley deliver 2 amps so the real fun with LED technology comes from the power in the Lion batteries.