The big LIGHTS thread 2011-2014

TheRevOlutionary

Can I jump in with a question also please?!

Bought this from DX recently, and was wondering what is the best power pack to go with it?

http://dx.com/p/sl-8008-cree-xm-l-2a-10 ... ver-234917

Can you use a rechargeable mobile phone charger type item with a lower ampage output, or will that effect lumens? Can find a power pack on DX which looks to do the job, but only uses 18650 batt's and I don't want to buy a while new set of batteries/chargers etc if possible.

https://dx.com/p/universal-5-x-18650-ba ... rey-209512

Might an AA version supply enough power? It has no input/output info!

https://dx.com/p/4-x-aa-battery-into-po ... ack-218788

Ouija

Ampage will seriously affect the brightness of the torch so you need to feed the correct ampage to maintain the lumen output. Don't even think about going AA. Lithium 18650 batteries are only slightly larger than AA's but deliver twice the voltage and over three times the storage capacity of AA's, not to mention much, much longer runtimes. At 2A the light would probably rip through four AA's in half an hour.

alexthebear

After reading some 20 pages or so about these lights all I have really identified is that I am unbelievably stupid and do not educate easily, apparently being able to build a house right through from setting out the footings to laying the ridge tiles is of absolutely no benifit when trying to work out the lumens per watter amp that you get from an 1850's battery you stole from the wife's laptop

Soooooooo........... are the original links on page 1 for torches, batteries and chargers all still the current ones to go for? I'm just after a simple 2 torch setup for the bars (torches, mounts, batteries and chargers) for the rare occations I get caught out in the dark, I don't mind buying all the bits seperate to save some pennies and I'm not in a massive rush so from China or the such like will be fine as long as they aren't going to set my house on fire. Any new direct links would be great and thanks in advance for any help given

john2002

this torch £7.50
http://www.lightmalls.com/ultrafire-wf-501b-cree-xm-l2-5-modes-led-flashlight-torch-1-18650

if your handle bars are stright this mount £1.50
http://www.lightmalls.com/flashlight-mount-5pcs
or
if you handle bars bend back this mount so you can adjust the angle the light shines £1.40
http://www.lightmalls.com/universal-adjustable-bicycle-mount-for-flashlights-no003

ive not had any problems with cheap charges but many wouldent buy them because of the protental risk.
simple cheap charger i use £1.70 (single cell charger)
http://www.lightmalls.com/useful-single-li-ion-battery-travel-wireles-charger-for-18650-battery
or
more advance charger with protection circuits etc £8.70 (double cell charger)
http://www.lightmalls.com/buy-nitecore-i2-intellicharge-battery-charger

ive always got my batteries from old laptop batteries so i cant recomend a seller, but sanyo batteries are said to be the best, dont get any battery that has a rating of over 3400mah because its most likely fake. £5-£10 each
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&item=301049860247&pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_Batteries_SM&_osacat=48446&hash=item4617f85097&_ssn=big_f_d_d&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313&_nkw=18650&_sacat=48446&_from=R40

watch DIY video, and give the torch a once over before you use them. £free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJpQAvum0bM

camerauk

After some help please
I have tried to read through all the pages here and my head hurts lol
I am looking for a head torch to complement a Exposure Maxx D bar mount light
I want it for a few 24hr races I have coming up so need good run time etc

Also would like to buy from UK if possible

alexthebear

Cheers John2002 you have given me light at the end of the tunnel

Ordered 2x 501 torches, 2x clamps and a charger for a little under £30 inc delivery. Have wrenched 4x 18650s out of my old Packard Bell laptop battery so just hoping their good to go. Cheers again

john2002

psf2001uk wrote:

A quick question: I have an S06B from DX (XM-L T6/900 lumens), which I've been very happy with. However, I've managed to lose both the convex lens, and the threaded retaining ring that screws-in to hold the lens.

Can anyone advise if there is anywhere that would sell spares? Probably easiest to just buy a similar (cheaper) torch on ebay, and re-use the bits, but thought I'd ask here before doing that.

Thanks/paul

You should be able to by the lens. Meassure the diameter that you need and do a search. But I don't know about the retaining ring. Easier just to buy a new torch.

john2002

camerauk wrote:

After some help please
I have tried to read through all the pages here and my head hurts lol
I am looking for a head torch to complement a Exposure Maxx D bar mount light
I want it for a few 24hr races I have coming up so need good run time etc

Also would like to buy from UK if possible

I would use two 501 torches like the one i liked to above . (I dont know a uk seller) on you helmet held on by elastic webbing. Look back one page diy has posted a picture of it. Use the torches one at a time on med setting and carry some spare batteries with you.
You should get a few hours on med out of one battery

diy

TheRevOlutionary wrote:

Can you use a rechargeable mobile phone charger type item with a lower ampage output, or will that effect lumens? Can find a power pack on DX which looks to do the job, but only uses 18650 batt's and I don't want to buy a while new set of batteries/chargers etc if possible.

If the power pack has an output limit of less than 2A, then you might have a problem as some of them have discharge cut offs to protect the circuit. However, its going to depend on the voltage limit too. The light itself will have driver in so it is probably pushing 3.5v @ 2A.



The simplest solution is a USB power pack but try to find one that does 2A or even one with twin outputs.
looking at the photo's the following should work well.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5V-2A-Mobile- ... 1118998319



In the test he's showing 3.8v in @ 3.3A with an output of 1.8A at 5v so about what you want. Gut feel says 4.2v cells will probably get you the 2A out, or slightly over. As the driver circuits in these things are quite simple.

You just need some good 18650s (e.g. Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh (sliver or green) and then you have a charger & pack all in one + plus a handy USB phone charger. You'll need to make up a USB to light connector, but that is easy. Also some veclro and a waterproof pouch to mount it.

turbodog

I found interesting bike lights on oxozoom.com and they are cheaper which I bought couple of things for my night riding in Glentress. It is worth checking them out.

LED Bicycle Headlight + Headlamp - 2200 Lumens, Waterproof,T6 x3 LEDs, Rechargeable Battery
http://www.oxozoom.com/LED-Bicycle-Headlight-Headlamp-2200-Lumens,-Waterproof,T6-x3-LEDs,-Rechargeable-Battery--Product--1002060

1200 Lumens LED Bicycle Headlight and Headlamp
http://www.oxozoom.com/1200-Lumens-LED-Bicycle-Headlight-and-Headlamp--Product--1002063

Handlebar Light Holder
http://www.oxozoom.com/Adjustable-Rubber-Riding-Bike-Light-Holder--Product--1002291

diy

Pretty good deal at that price as long as the cells are not junk, as you are already up against 4 2.2Ah cells powering 3 LEDs sucking 1.8A each. So probably going to be lucky to an hour on full.

Ouija

diy wrote:

TheRevOlutionary wrote:

Can you use a rechargeable mobile phone charger type item with a lower ampage output, or will that effect lumens? Can find a power pack on DX which looks to do the job, but only uses 18650 batt's and I don't want to buy a while new set of batteries/chargers etc if possible.

If the power pack has an output limit of less than 2A, then you might have a problem as some of them have discharge cut offs to protect the circuit. However, its going to depend on the voltage limit too. The light itself will have driver in so it is probably pushing 3.5v @ 2A.

The simplest solution is a USB power pack but try to find one that does 2A or even one with twin outputs.
looking at the photo's the following should work well.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5V-2A-Mobile- ... 1118998319

In the test he's showing 3.8v in @ 3.3A with an output of 1.8A at 5v so about what you want. Gut feel says 4.2v cells will probably get you the 2A out, or slightly over. As the driver circuits in these things are quite simple.

You just need some good 18650s (e.g. Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh (sliver or green) and then you have a charger & pack all in one + plus a handy USB phone charger. You'll need to make up a USB to light connector, but that is easy. Also some veclro and a waterproof pouch to mount it.

His light already has a USB connector...



and runs at 5v and 2A. The power pack he linked to iS a portable USB phone charger with 5v and 1000~2100mA output.



He just seems hesitent on splashing out on the 18650 batteries and charger for them. Hence the question about going for the AA powered phone charger instead.

nigelgos

There is lots of info on this thread, so much it makes it a little too hard to figure out what you need to take in. As long as the light is 'XM-L2' then I'm good to go?

I'm looking at getting this for £6.99 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UltraFire-CRE ... 1005861629

What else do I need, rechargeable batteries and a mount?

bartimaeus

nigelgos wrote:

What else do I need, rechargeable batteries and a mount?

You also need a charger for your cells.

I've no experience of this particular light, but as you say any XM-L2 powered by an 18650 should be pretty decent. I'm not sure I'd like the small switch on the side, particularly if using on your lid... the 'clicky-clicky' tailcaps are much easier to use.

I'm using a couple of these and one of these... though I'd now go for an XM-L2 C8 in preference to the XML-U3

nigelgos

Thanks.

I'm looking at this then... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UltraFire-200 ... 1004794913

I guess it would be better to buy some Panasonic 18650 3400mah batteries separately rather than go with the bundle of likely poor batteries in the above link?

This is for a road bike bar mounted light btw.

diy

couple of observations. C8 IMO is not as good as the 501 or 502 because the head is bigger and the light doesn't seem to work so well with the smooth reflector. Gives you more of a spot beam. I'd also be careful about an on off switch on the body rather than the tail as this may limit your mounting options.

This thread has it all really.
viewtopic.php?p=18681886#p18681886

I'd personally go for a USB power Pack option rather than a charger as these are more useful and can charge more cells at the same time, even if they typically take more time to charge.

I too have had no problem with my OEM cheap 18650 chargers, I just think the power pack option is more useful.
I like the look of the 5 cell one posted above:
http://dx.com/p/universal-5-x-18650-bat ... rey-209512.

With regard to 18650 and chargers:
http://www.lygte-info.dk/

pretty good info on anything.

nigelgos

I've gone for these... http://www.banggood.com/2PCS-NCR-3400mA ... 87078.html

I need a charger and mount now.

diy

Wont go wrong with those if genuine

Ouija

diy wrote:

Wont go wrong with those if genuine

+1

I stuck four of my old Senybor 2800 high drain batteries into one of these after i got it...



the runtimes easily exceed that of all the four cell Chinese packs that came with my lights and even exceeds that of one of my Chinese six cell packs. Spending extra on quality Senybor, Pansasonic, Sony batteries really does make a visible difference to runtimes, weather used in a multi-pack (as above) or individually in a 501/502 style torch.

diy

*** Supplier Update ***

Ordered some 501b XM-L2s from Lightmalls just before xmas, because I clearly needed some more - arrived today so 4 weeks including xmas.

Drivers - all 4 consistent, with pretty much the same draw and the same mode order. Haven't tested with fully charged cells but predicting sensible currents in low medium, (1A) and high (2.2A) mode based on the test at 3.6v.

Assembly - all tight and correctly screwed together, no swarf on the LEDs or loose optics to deal with, everything nice and central, good seals, threads nice and tight, no need to over tighten to get remove flicker.

Beem a bit floodier than my other XM-L T6s running at the same current. Slightly larger spot due to the smaller LED and therefore better use of optics. Haven't had a chance to do proper camera light test. I'm guess net around 750 lumen.

Worked out at £7.50 each with ER conversion from paypal. The driver behind an XM-L is key and always a risk, but these are exactly in the range I would want.

camerauk

would this be a good buy to fit on helmet? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XTAR-BK10-Bik ... 0690934%26
if so any idea where I could get a helmet mount for it?
will a Exposure mount work?

camerauk

or this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-model- ... 7166174%26

diy

They are both quite expensive.

XM-L U2. is a good LED being a bin up from the old XM-L T6, but there are now plenty of stockists with XM-L2 T6 which is a around 10% more efficient and 10% brighter.

Both are driving at a max of about 1.5A (fully charged), which is kind of on the low end of acceptable. Personally I like max to be around the 2.2-2.4A (full charge) mark and medium to be around the 1A mark. Allowing for the current to drop as the cell drains giving me a more useful 1.8-2A max at 50% and 700-800mA medium.

So.. within your 40 quid lights you have components worth max 25 quid.

porlyworly

Read through the last few pages and there are some knowledgeable chaps on here! My cree headlamp I bought a couple of years ago has finally given up the ghost, I'm not sure what the problem is but I am guessing it's the battery pack as the light on the back of the cree headlamp has no power and also when I plug the battery pack into the charger to recharge, the colour of the LED on the charger no longer changes to indicate it's on charge.

So, I can either ask you guys to point me in the direction of a new battery pack (which may or may not fix the problem) or just buy new lights. My commute takes me down a couple of unlit country roads (downhill at high speed!) so need something that lights the road, I already have a flashy-usb-light-to-be-seen.

Please advise bikeradar light guru hivemind.

jairaj

I'd recommend one of those USB battery packs assuming it has enough power for your lights. You use your own individual batteries but it gives you more flexibility with charging and allows you to buy quality batteries.

or if you can't be arsed with all that, the guy over in mtbbatteries is very good and can make up custom battery packs with what ever connectors you want. a bit more than ones from DX or ebay but customer service is good and I think he uses quality components and does not cut corners

Ouija

PorlyWorly wrote:

Read through the last few pages and there are some knowledgeable chaps on here! My cree headlamp I bought a couple of years ago has finally given up the ghost, I'm not sure what the problem is but I am guessing it's the battery pack as the light on the back of the cree headlamp has no power and also when I plug the battery pack into the charger to recharge, the colour of the LED on the charger no longer changes to indicate it's on charge.

So, I can either ask you guys to point me in the direction of a new battery pack (which may or may not fix the problem) or just buy new lights. My commute takes me down a couple of unlit country roads (downhill at high speed!) so need something that lights the road, I already have a flashy-usb-light-to-be-seen.

Please advise bikeradar light guru hivemind.

Personally, at the prices these lights come at it might be just worth upgrading the whole unit to something like this and this as you get a battery with it for less than £20 (quality may vary). You could then use the pack with your old light or the new one (which also has a flashing ring so can be used as a 'be seen' light as well).

Big dave 3

Has anyone had problems getting their stuff from light malls?

I ordered mine on DEcember 12 & still havent received. So it has been 5 weeks. THey keep replying simply sending me a tracking link when I message them. It says that the package has made it to Heathrow but is still there.

Im not too keen on their service & in future I won't be buying from them. I had this problem with deal extreme once before, I should have learnt my lesson buying from Chinese websites.

john2002

Big dave 3 wrote:

Has anyone had problems getting their stuff from light malls?

I ordered mine on DEcember 12 & still havent received. So it has been 5 weeks. THey keep replying simply sending me a tracking link when I message them. It says that the package has made it to Heathrow but is still there.

Im not too keen on their service & in future I won't be buying from them. I had this problem with deal extreme once before, I should have learnt my lesson buying from Chinese websites.

Ive had torches from lightmalls within 2 weeks before (athens greece). it always takes longer over the christmas/newyear period. maybe it stuck at customs at heathrow. do you know who the courier is in the uk? try contact them to locate the parcel.

diy

Just got 4 torches in 4 weeks as per above.

What did you order, what value?

Ouija

If it's got batteries in it it will take longer. Just had a 8 cell battery turn up from Kaidomain after two and a half months. But that's always the case at this time of year. Whereas i ordered a second one of the light pictured above without battery from Lightmalls on the 2nd of this month and it turned up yesterday, so just two weeks.