thoughts on my SF L2i triple A`s with XML

LED Flashlights – General Info Multiple AAA Flashlights
1

Hey guys!

Tonight Ive been playing around with my L2i and XML drop in. It uses a max 2A, that many KD C8`s are supplied with.
Ive always wanted to know how (not)well triple A batteries handle a "hungry" XML.
Im actually pretty positive about the results.

I used to have a Low-Voltage XPG R5 in this L2i light.

Here are some findings:

R5 low voltage drop in XML 2A max drop in

High: 0.98A

 High: 1.05A
Medium: 0.43A Medium:0.48A
Low: 0.08 Low: 0.05A

These measurements are taken directly after turning on the light.
Note that the batteries had some use, so they were not 100% full.

The interesting thing about the XML is the low Low. Which should give a nice long runtime.

Now I inserted the XML with the 3 triple A`s, and see how run-time is on High.

1 min 1.05A
15min 1.12A (strange?)
25min 0.87A
35min 0.23A
43min turned to low mode with 0.02A

After about 32 minutes the light started to lower the output significantly.
at 43 minutes i thought the light turned off, but it went to a low low, which gave about 5-10 lumens for another hour.
Then it turned completely off.

The Voltage of the 3xAAA was at that point 2.7V
Cells where about 0.9 each.

Some questions I have now.
1st, do you think the driver has a LV shut off?
Which means, that I can use it with unprotected 18650 cells. Even I know that 2.7V is pretty low for the cells, but at least its safer than no protection, right?

2nd, it looks like the XML is a bit nicer for the triple A batteries, because it doesnt drain them all the way to 0V.
Is that a correct observation? Because the XPG R5 low voltage can go down to 0.8V.. which will be about 0.3V per cell, which I think is not to great for AAA batteries.

Here some crappy comparison shots between the R5 on 3xAAA and the XML on 3xAAA

Mouseover is with the XML.
R5 is the one where you can see the white cushion on the left.

This is not the place to look for nice white wall beamshots to compare tints, colors etc.. Just raw Output! ;)

so the conclusion is: Im pretty happy with the results, even for 3xAAA.
If someone is thinking about getting a useful triple A light, consider a Mild driven XML!
More output on High..
And a good long runtime on low. 0.05A

2

With MF 3-mode XML I get ~ 2A/0.5A/0.1A immediately after turning the light on; ~ 1.6A/0.5A/0.1A after 2 minutes on; after several minutes off it was ~ 1.8A/0.5A/0.1A.

3

It sure looks like a good show off light. I would still prefer something drawing 1.2amps max for an AAA light though.

4

That’s a lot for triple A’s
I’ve been happy with the results of mine
I first didn’t expect to see much difference between the 2
on triple A’s
But putting them side by side there is a noticeable difference
And I think it works just fine with this set up
No world records but a tad brighter and still a useful Low

5

What batteries did you use?

The above results are with eneloops. If I remember correctly, with energizer ultimates I got 2.2A/0.5A/0.1A.

And I think that it's plenty useful with 1A. With 2A it heats too much in a very short time (not uncomfortable to hold but I'm not sure it's good for the LED).

6

I’m using eneloops as well!

7

BLF has problems again
Got Fatal Error when viewing most threads

8

It's fixed now. Sorry about that!

9

Thanks!