[M4D deal ALIVE]: Astrolux S43S really US$ 27.00 + review video + pics + LEGO

XXX-Man · 2018-12-05T10:39:45.000Z

Did all of you get your flashlights?
I still wait and ordered the same day I got coupon…

JasonWW · 2018-12-05T13:01:53.000Z

XXX-Man:

Did all of you get your flashlights?

No.

DavidEF · 2018-12-05T19:31:16.000Z

I just tried my S42 bezel on my S43S copper head, and it wouldn’t go on. The S43S bezel does fit the S42 head, though. Slightly different size? Or are my lights possibly out of tolerance? I really wanted the flat bezel to fit on my S43S.

xevious · 2018-12-14T05:36:18.000Z

What are some recommended 18350 and 18650 cells to use in the S43?

JasonWW · 2018-12-14T06:21:39.000Z

xevious:

What are some recommended 18350 and 18650 cells to use in the S43?

It depends on what your looking for. Max output? Some something high drain like 30Q, VTC5D, VTC6, etc… If less power and longer run time then a high capacity cell like the Panny GA, 35E or MJ1.

For 18350 cells Martin did a whole video testing several. If it’s not in this thread, you can find it here.

XXX-Man · 2018-12-14T14:36:38.000Z

Got my today
Waiting for the dark…

xevious · 2018-12-14T15:25:41.000Z

JasonWW:

xevious:

What are some recommended 18350 and 18650 cells to use in the S43?

It depends on what your looking for. Max output? Some something high drain like 30Q, VTC5D, VTC6, etc… If less power and longer run time then a high capacity cell like the Panny GA, 35E or MJ1.

For 18350 cells Martin did a whole video testing several. If it’s not in this thread, you can find it here.
https://youtu.be/xr70mpOUS1s

Thanks — I’d probably like to have the option for both. Long runtime for typical EDC, and then max power when a situation calls for it (just swap cells). I’ll check out Martin’s video—didn’t realize he’d created one. Good guy!

Fate0n3 · 2018-12-18T21:33:25.000Z

Anyone have any issues with the 18350 tube on? When trying mine with the 18350 tube and a Keeppower 18350 1200mah battery, it almost crushes the battery. It is deforming the batteries end and the light won’t turn off once it is fully screw down. I am not sure what I am missing here.

DavidEF · 2018-12-18T21:58:34.000Z

I have Aspire “1300 mAh” (actually 1100 mAh) cell in mine and it seems to be fine, but the Aspire that I have is flat top. Also there are likely differences in cell lengths and I don’t know if the Aspire cell is “long” or “short” for its size.

I have a couple of new Efest cells at home. I will try one later, when I get home from work.

Fate0n3 · 2018-12-18T22:29:21.000Z

DavidEF:

I have Aspire “1300 mAh” (actually 1100 mAh) cell in mine and it seems to be fine, but the Aspire that I have is flat top. Also there are likely differences in cell lengths and I don’t know if the Aspire cell is “long” or “short” for its size.

I have a couple of new Efest cells at home. I will try one later, when I get home from work.

Thank you big time… Bought 3 of these for Christmas presents and all three do the same thing, you have to crank a little bit to get the tube closed and when you do the light wont turn off. After pulling the battery out the + is crushed flat and the - side has quite a dent from the spring pushing on it.

shirnask · 2018-12-18T22:50:40.000Z

Fate0n3:

Anyone have any issues with the 18350 tube on? When trying mine with the 18350 tube and a Keeppower 18350 1200mah battery, it almost crushes the battery. It is deforming the batteries end and the light won’t turn off once it is fully screw down. I am not sure what I am missing here.

I have three of these in which I use the Aspire cells without issue. The cells measure 34.8 mm and all three tubes measure 40.1 mm. Did you perhaps get a shorter tube or are the Keeppower cells longer than the Aspire cells

Fate0n3 · 2018-12-18T23:00:47.000Z

shirnask:

Fate0n3:

Anyone have any issues with the 18350 tube on? When trying mine with the 18350 tube and a Keeppower 18350 1200mah battery, it almost crushes the battery. It is deforming the batteries end and the light won’t turn off once it is fully screw down. I am not sure what I am missing here.

I have three of these in which I use the Aspire cells without issue. The cells measure 34.8 mm and all three tubes measure 40.1 mm. Did you perhaps get a shorter tube or are the Keeppower cells longer than the Aspire cells

By goodness you are on to something, I went and messured the 3 batteries from Neal measured 38.65mm. Well got to looking and found another Keeppower 18350 1200mah and it is 34.2mm. The ones that came with the lights are Protected cells apparently they are too long because these other one fits good. Now where to find good 18350 batteries in the US?

Tom_E · 2018-12-18T23:03:28.000Z

Here for starters: https://www.illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/18350-keeppower-imr18350-1200mah-high-discharge-flat-top.html

Here also: http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_87&product_id=952

DavidEF · 2018-12-18T23:08:20.000Z

Did you get your Keeppower cell(s) from Banggood? I just looked them up, and the Keeppower 18350 1200mAh that Banggood sells are protected, and are ~3mm longer than the other Keeppowers they had which were not protected (750mAh). I also checked Mountain Electronics and Li-Ion Wholesale. Neither of them had Keeppower 18350 cells. But the longest non-protected cells I found were the Windyfire 700mAh at Mountain. Those were 35.7mm long with a button top. Funny, the shortest cells I found were the same Windyfire, but with a flat top, at 34.9mm long. The ones I bought recently were actually Vapcell (I forgot, thought they were Efest), and those are 35mm. My Aspire cells are the same, 35mm long.

So, it seems you need to check whether your cells are protected. Non-protected cells should fit fine. I don’t know if protected cells are supposed to fit or not.

EDIT: Looks like I’m slow to the draw.

JasonWW · 2018-12-19T02:58:05.000Z

Fate0n3:

After pulling the battery out the + is crushed flat and the - side has quite a dent from the spring pushing on it.

Holy cow, it should go without saying that you never force a battery to fit. You may have also damaged the driver by flexing it.

If the driver is okay, then you might be able to just remove the protection circuitry from the battery and add a new sleeve to it. Sleeves are super cheap. Or buy new unprotected cells. Whatever is easiest.

Protected cells are not recommended for this light due to the high amp draw. I’m guessing they made the short battery tube for unprotected cells only.

vimana · 2018-12-28T13:35:44.000Z

Tom E:

Here for starters: https://www.illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/18350-keeppower-imr18350-1200mah-high-discharge-flat-top.html

Here also: http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_87&product_id=952

Both out of stock.

Any china websites where this are in stock?

I am EU based so free shipping is highly apprecited.

Thanks!

JasonWW · 2018-12-28T14:11:07.000Z

It looks like most places are sold out of the good 18350 cells.

You might consider looking for a good quality protected cell (like Keeppower 1200mah) and then remove the protection circuit. Slip a new cut down 18650 sized wrapper over it. It’s not ideal, but might be worth it.

vimana · 2018-12-28T14:42:43.000Z

Well, that's kinda bummer... I ordered one s43s this morning... I wanted a good battery, since I am purchasing it solely for this flashlight.

And I would like to check if everything is ok with flashlight before the end of the return period....

vimana · 2018-12-28T14:46:05.000Z

When you said "protected cell", that is actually a physical protection?

I would rather not cut the wrapping, but if I do not find any in the coming 2 weeks, I might have to have a look at that option.

JasonWW · 2018-12-28T15:51:37.000Z

vimana:

When you said “protected cell”, that is actually a physical protection?

Yeah, the pcb that goes over the positive or negative end of the battery.

I checked a couple of USA suppliers just to see if maybe they had anything good. I found these Vapcell 1100mah. Only 10 in stock, but shipping might be expensive.

You should also order a 18650 battery tube. They are pretty cheap. I don’t plan on ever using the short tube.