Was perusing Amazon and came across a listing that I first thought was for an FW3A ... It was posted on Amazon in mid-October, with no reviews for it. I start looking through the images and one of them shows an output chart listing a Turbo output of 880LM. Then I looked at the description and it mentions the "FW3EL". I assume this is going to be an "Extended Life" version engineered for a much longer runtime?
I googled FW3EL and came across a mention of it on the product description for a Lumintop diffuser ...
This appears to be a version of the FW3E with a basic UI (and seemingly reduced brightness, but I’m not sure they meant to write High and Turbo as the same since they still tout 2800 lumens as the max, and the runtimes are different).
The FW3E differs from other models in that it uses a battery with the positive and negative terminal on the same end, in order to avoid needing an inner signal tube (and improving reliability). This does make it harder to source cells for this light though (much like Olight’s proprietary cells).
I realize I’m resurrecting an old thread, but does anyone know where I can get the special proprietary cells for the FW3E? Thanks!
UPDATE: It would appear that the proprietary cells designed and specifically made for the FW3EL are no longer available in the US and to the best of my knowledge are no longer being produced by Lumintop. Furthermore, it would also appear that no other manufacturer is producing a replacement battery specifically designed to work in the FW3EL. So it would appear that once and if your dedicated Lumintop custom 18650 battery gives out or dies, your FW3EL is done.
However, there may be an option and I’m looking into it….
Regarding potentially using the the Olight 18650 3500mah Proprietary Battery # ORB-186C35 in the Lumintop FW3EL.
Ok, so the following information is being provided as a report of what has worked for me and what may work for you but is not suggested as professional or other advise or specific recommendation.
The good news: I purchased this Olight Proprietary 18650 battery designed to work only in their proprietary lights that it was designed for and found that it fit and worked flawlessly in my Lumintop FW3EL. It is just fractionally/slightly thinner and shorter but fit fine and worked without issue.
Potential con: This battery does not have an integral charging port like the dedicated Lumintop battery and is reported by Olight to only be able to be charged while installed in their proprietary light that this battery was designed for. So in theory, you would need to own one of their lights that uses this battery in order to charge the battery. However, there are claims on the internet that it can actually be “carefully” charged utilizing a modern intellicharger like a Nitecore icharger or similar. For liability reasons I’m going to leave this to the discretion of those considering this option and can make no claim at this time as to the validity of using an aftermarket charger. Do your homework and decide for yourself.
The up side: Given the unique nature of the FW3EL and it’s specific proprietary battery requirement, it’s good to know that regardless of the potential charging limitations, an alternate battery is out there that can work in these lights. One thing I’ve determined for sure is that no other “typical” 18650 battery will work in the FW3EL. I have a huge variety and although some fit dimensionally, none functioned properly (don’t try this at home). The unique design of the light and the custom design of the Lumintop battery with both positive and negative contacts at the positive side of the battery make the use of other batteries impossible.
Lastly: All of the Olight lights designed to use this Olight proprietary battery have now been discontinued and it would appear that Olight is discontinuing the design of lights requiring this type of custom battery. The batteries are still currently available from Olight as well as from other online sellers but may eventually also be discountinued, so word to the wise…..
