Look what the postman brought..

How can so much light come out of something so tiny?

The 3000LM CREE XM L2 LED Cycling Headlight. It is amazing. Cheers for the 'heads up' on this item d8veh.

I knocked up a couple of videos to show it's brilliance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7xr1XghSFU

Compared with a 6000 lumen bike light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYAalByD5xE

Edited August 31, 20169 yr by LeighPing

In the dark can you do a 6k v 3k, high power level only to see the difference in the beams.

Roger, wilco flight commander.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cuj5s1m9R5s

A few pics of the fleet.

No lights.

Low lights.

High lights.

Edited August 31, 20169 yr by LeighPing

I bought a supposedly 5000LM double cree.. which is ok but the battery dont last very long (no surprise really)

It apears to have 4 cells which are about 620mm long.

What would be a good replacement/improvement? I was thinking of having one made by one or the RC shops but dont know what to ask for.

its just 4 18650 cells but there prob fake ones and dont last very long.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-genuine-Panasonic-3400mah-18650-made-in-japan/361690808477?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D38624%26meid%3Db898676b19fa408ab29d5e9235e6e390%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D18%26sd%3D191948761989

its just 4 18650 cells but there prob fake ones and dont last very long.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-genuine-Panasonic-3400mah-18650-made-in-japan/361690808477?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=38624&meid=b898676b19fa408ab29d5e9235e6e390&pid=100011&rk=1&rkt=18&sd=191948761989

Yes but I dont have the skills to put them together so need to buy one thats a goodun...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152101697909?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

i have one and cuts out when charged just not had chance to run it down yet to see if it cuts off at 2.5v.

also got a 18650 charger coming as sick of these naff cells from china but the one you have will charge the cells in it.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37/necromunger666/DSC_0412.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37/necromunger666/DSC_0410.jpg

In the dark can you do a 6k v 3k, high power level only to see the difference in the beams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhDuQVXk0VU

Happy days my light is here

Looks ok not that keen on the led light on the back for the buttons, it looks like there is know way to turn them off.

It's bright and it looks ok not sure how long the battery will last.

I hope to try it out soon

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152101697909?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

i have one and cuts out when charged just not had chance to run it down yet to see if it cuts off at 2.5v.

 

also got a 18650 charger coming as sick of these naff cells from china but the one you have will charge the cells in it.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37/necromunger666/DSC_0412.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37/necromunger666/DSC_0410.jpg

Perfect, just what I need, also sick of naff fake cells and soldering packs

Good find

Perfect, just what I need, also sick of naff fake cells and soldering packs

 

Good find

Please excuse my ignorance but how does buying this holder stop me getting fake cells?

Please excuse my ignorance but how does buying this holder stop me getting fake cells?

It is relatively easy to buy decent cells loose

But so very many ready made, shrink wrapped light packs contain junk cells.

A holder like this enables you to source your own cells. But still retain the plug n play simplicity of a ready made pack.

To date I've been buying decent cells and soldering them up into packs. But it's a pain and then there is no BMS either

This holder is easy, waterproof, more robust , safer and you can pop any cells you can find or choose.

It is relatively easy to buy decent cells loose

 

But so very many ready made, shrink wrapped light packs contain junk cells.

 

A holder like this enables you to source your own cells. But still retain the plug n play simplicity of a ready made pack.

 

To date I've been buying decent cells and soldering them up into packs. But it's a pain and then there is no BMS either

 

This holder is easy, waterproof, more robust , safer and you can pop any cells you can find or choose.

I have just been looking and like the nimh cells the sellers advertise anything from 2500mah to 3600mah on all the colours of the rainbow should one assume the 3600 ones are fake or that the 2500 ones are inferior? I know where I am with nimh cells and only use a dealer I trust.

Is there a reason why no one uses nimh batteries for the cree lights?

No reason that you couldn't, but lithium tech is better in almost every way.

NiMh are 1.2V nominal. 18650 Li-Ion are 3.7V nominal. 18650 has a much greater energy density too.

No reason that you couldn't, but lithium tech is better in almost every way.

 

NiMh are 1.2V nominal. 18650 Li-Ion are 3.7V nominal. 18650 has a much greater energy density too.

Next question..

How do I know I am buying good ones?

Please excuse my ignorance but how does buying this holder stop me getting fake cells?

Are you questioning the authenticity of products made in China!!

I have never heard such cheek, I am sure legal action will be started.

It is relatively easy to buy decent cells loose

 

But so very many ready made, shrink wrapped light packs contain junk cells.

 

A holder like this enables you to source your own cells. But still retain the plug n play simplicity of a ready made pack.

 

To date I've been buying decent cells and soldering them up into packs. But it's a pain and then there is no BMS either

 

This holder is easy, waterproof, more robust , safer and you can pop any cells you can find or choose.

If you ask soundwave (I could not find the post) he has a container that will take 4 loose cells and contains a discharge protection circuit, plus 5 volt output on a usb lead. All in one easy to use package.

I have just been looking and like the nimh cells the sellers advertise anything from 2500mah to 3600mah on all the colours of the rainbow should one assume the 3600 ones are fake or that the 2500 ones are inferior? I know where I am with nimh cells and only use a dealer I trust.

Highest capacity authentic 18650 cell at this moment in time is the Panasonic NCR18650G (3600mAh), although I am unable to recommend a specific source.

Next question..

How do I know I am buying good ones?

Please see my previous (cross-posted) reply. Someone will be able to recommend a good source. Ebay or AliExpress is most likely not it though.

bga said to use these cells for a flash light.

http://www.bga-reworking.co.uk/e-bike-batteries/panasonic-ncr18650b-3400mah-li-ion-battery-flat-top-unprotected.html

there a few quid more than on ebay but you will get real ones.

the pack says to recharge when its flat when the light flashes but i have not run the cells down yet so no idea if it will cut the power or not at 2.5v

it does cut the power when the cells are charged tho with the wall adaptor.

bga said to use these cells for a flash light.

 

http://www.bga-reworking.co.uk/e-bike-batteries/panasonic-ncr18650b-3400mah-li-ion-battery-flat-top-unprotected.html

 

there a few quid more than on ebay but you will get real ones.

 

the pack says to recharge when its flat when the light flashes but i have not run the cells down yet so no idea if it will cut the power or not at 2.5v

 

it does cut the power when the cells are charged tho with the wall adaptor.

Imagine you are talking to child.. will 4 of these fit in the adapter you recommended and charge with my charger?

yes but you cant let the cells go below 2.5v or you will damage them.

charged there 4.2 or bit under and have just got my 18650 charger from china.

yes but you cant let the cells go below 2.5v or you will damage them.

 

charged there 4.2 or bit under and have just got my 18650 charger from china.

I don't really want any messing about measuring volts and stuff . I just want one I can plug in and use.. plus it works out at £30 which is a lot just for a battery.

its why i got one of these.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37/necromunger666/DSC_0417.jpg