CREE LED Torches, Li-Ion Batteries, and clips

[nigelmercier]

A summary ...

CREE G3 Q5 400 Lumens mini Flashlight Torch
£2.44 with FREE P&P http://amzn.to/OcfAH6
These take an AA battery, or 14500 Li-Ion
14500 Li-Ion, 4 for £7.99 with FREE P&P http://amzn.to/1iOOjnD

CREE XML-T6 1000 Lumens mini Flashlight Torch
£4.41 with FREE P&P http://amzn.to/1iKd7x0
These take 18650 batteries, 2 for £3.99 with FREE P&P http://amzn.to/1uKhWxY

Charger
£12.89 with FREE P&P http://amzn.to/1m7pkkb
Note: this has 230V and 12V inputs, as well as a cover which allows the temperature measurement to be more accurate.

I've done some tests, and took pictures, but I don't see the point in posting them yet as the results of the Li-Ion batteries are a bit mixed. Initially they give a much brighter light (after looking directly into it I couldn't see properly for several minutes!), but after 20 minutes or so they are about the same as the AA cells, then run down quite rapidly. This could be due to them needing to be cycled a few times, so I am now doing so.

[UPDATE] It appears that my Li-Ion charger is faulty, so I have contacted the seller. It wasn't actually charging the batteries, so the tests were done with the original charge. I will further update this thread when the charger has been replaced.

I've also ordered a couple of 12V leads for the charger, as I'm not 100% sure of the correct size. I will report back.

Has anyone found a source of clips to attach the first torch (CREE G3 Q5) to a bulkhead? I'm thinking like snap-in pipe clips of a suitable size.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Has anyone found a source of clips to attach the first torch (CREE G3 Q5) to a bulkhead? I'm thinking like snap-in pipe clips of a suitable size.

I use these for fixing similar lights to my bike. One of them could be unscrewed to make two acceptable bulkhead brackets. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cycling-B...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item460516a212

You could also use one to fix a light to a pushpit/stanchion/pullpit

FWIW I think Lion batteries are only necessary when you are likely to use the torch for lengthy periods. If it is likely to usually only be used for a minute or so then AA batteries are fine.

 

[nigelmercier]

... I think Lion batteries are only necessary when you are likely to use the torch for lengthy periods...

I like the idea of the extra light output though, but see my update above.

 

[nigelmercier]

I found some clips to hang the Q5 ones on the bulkheads: http://amzn.to/1j30hhg

Note that I have changed my original post, as I made an error regarding battery size for the T6.

 

[nigelmercier]

A quick update:

The 14500 Li-Ion, 4 for £7.99 offer is no longer available. I'm not convinced that these batteries were full specification, so I have now ordered two packs of a more expensive, but fully branded TrustFire Protected 14500 3.7V 900mAh Rechargeable Lithium Batteries Battery (2-Pack) http://amzn.to/1inSyWq

 

[William_H]

I have a few of these torches. Really bright. Only the first I bought actually works on AA 1.5v battery later ones seem to need the higher voltage Li Ion.
The lithium batteries can be a real pain to get from china as some airlines seem have decided they are dangerous goods so won't carry them. Expect a long delay in delivery and at least one lot never arrived for me.
Charging Lithium batteries seems to be tricky. I have built a charger with exact regulated 4.2 volts which seems to be OK. Previous effort with just a small current through a resistor resulted in cells going up to 7 volts and aparently damaged as capacity very diminished. Just a few thoughts. olewill

 

[SussieB]

Actually, there are severe safety concerns with the existing lithium-ion batteries that are used in electric and hybrid automobiles. However, a research firm claims that it has found a way to make a safer battery that can produce a longer driving range by utilizing a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one. I'm sure many people will find this very helpful since it will be safer on their part. Source for this article: Next-gen lithium-ion batteries

 

[vyv_cox]

I bought two of the Cree torches recently at Aldi, about £9 including three AAA batteries. Very happy with them. I also bought a rechargable one with a Li-ion battery some months ago. After its first charge it failed fairly rapidly but the second one has lasted far better.

 

[macd]

Actually, there are severe safety concerns with the existing lithium-ion batteries that are used in electric and hybrid automobiles. However, a research firm claims that it has found a way to make a safer battery that can produce a longer driving range by utilizing a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one. I'm sure many people will find this very helpful since it will be safer on their part. Source for this article: Next-gen lithium-ion batteries

Now I'm kinda puzzled as to why anyone would be resurrecting an old thread to push a largely irrelevant battery technology, and as a first-time poster at that.
The 'research firm' mentioned, btw, is Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the place that put the bang into the Manhattan Project.
Am I being paranoid?
Probably.

 

[lenten]

have bought around 20 of these torches for my business----thegreenescape----performance is patchy----i wouldn t want to rely on one in an emergency situation ----better to spend a small fortune on a fenix or similar--------happy new year---lenten

 

[single]

have bought around 20 of these torches for my business----thegreenescape----performance is patchy----i wouldn t want to rely on one in an emergency situation ----better to spend a small fortune on a fenix or similar--------happy new year---lenten

Totally agree. I have gradually worked my way from cheap LED flashlights, right up to the current ones and as said, i wouldn't rely on the cheaper ones if that was all i had in some emergency. Look for Fenix, Nitecore or Olight brands if you need reliable equipment.

 

[GrahamHR]

Totally agree. I have gradually worked my way from cheap LED flashlights, right up to the current ones and as said, i wouldn't rely on the cheaper ones if that was all i had in some emergency. Look for Fenix, Nitecore or Olight brands if you need reliable equipment.

Maybe I was lucky; an Ultrafire torch with a Cree T6 LED bought some 18 months ago for around £9.00 delivered from Hong Kong; still works wonderfully well, both batteries still hold charge as good as new, extremely bright light. The black anodized finish is getting slightly worn on the edges, not surprising as it lives in pockets with keys, spanners etc.

 

[lenten]

half the ones i bought were ultrafire----brilliant when they are working----but patchy performance-----thegreenescape website says bring a torch---but i keep loan torches for people that forget to bring one and who often forget to leave them behind afterwards----i also get a variety of cheap torches left behind---none of them are A1 reliable----my personal torch is 4 years old small/expensive/dependable------regards lenten

 

[pete]

After having a few of these G3 Cree torches over a few months I found they are unreliable and don't always come on at first, often they need a slight tap to make them work, this is when using a standard 1.5v battery. These torches will also work with 3.7v a Li ion battery.
So I ordered a few RS branded Li-ion AA 3.7v batteries £2.50each, a Pi LI-ion charger circuit board £1.98 and a single battery holder £1.66 all inc p&p from Ebay.

The last bit (the battery holders) came today so I built the charger up, One of the batteries is charging up at the moment (it is getting slightly warm) but not to bad and I'm keeping an eye on it.
I have found that over the last 2 days since i put a 3.7v battery in, the torches all seem to work every time even though I had not charged the batteries at that time, although they don't seem any brighter than the standard 1.5v batteries.
Hopefully this will make them more reliable.

pete

 

[Sailingsaves]

Nearly a year ago in this thread:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?388361-My-best-torch

I was told by one, or maybe two, people that I shouldn't criticize the Chinese Cree torches when I was selling torches on my website www.newboatgear.co.uk (It used to be a signature but I removed it after some flak)

I too have a lot of the Chinese 'Cree' ones. Banggood batteries have let me down a lot.

The torch I have adapted and sell has a lifetime guarantee and I have not had a bad word said against it yet - runs on alkaline AA, C (or rechargeable AA OR C NiMh etc). If I need a torch that is light in weight, quick to find and will light up the whole garden I pick up one of my torches.

If you get a good Chinese one they are great, if you get a bad one you just bin it and find a different seller and hope the next one is a good'un.

Most of our kit is Chinese isn't it? Musto have their clothes made over there.

 

[EugeneR]

Alongside dozens of Swiss army knives, we have literally dozens of LED torches, from cheap Chinese to expensive Ledlenser and Klarus.

The cheap Chinese ones are very well made and there is no reason for them to stop working. After all, there's nothing high tech about them really. Surefire, in particular, has always been perfectly made, for us anyway. The only torch I've had that did not work reliably was because the switch unit in the cap wasn't turned in deep enough I.e. assembly problem, not design. I have, but will in future avoid, those that take juse 1 aa battery, simply because 1000 lumens from 1 battery might last longer than a traditional torch, but not as long as I have come to expect from other LED torches. I prefer non-rechageable lithiums, they last many I.e. 12+ months even with frequent use.

The biggest difference, IMHO, is that the expensive torches have orange peal reflectors which gives a nice, consistent beam and will not, at some point of focus, project a picture of some alien craft.

My personal favorite is the Ultrafire 501B which is, essentially, the same as my expensive Klarus XT10, except for the reflector.

Note, Ultrafire has two switch options, sometimes with 50p price difference. The one offers more modes, including SOS signalling. Some e.g. Klarus and LL also offer a "tactical" mode I.e.rapid flashing to disorientate an attacker.

I have avoided rechargeables, though - seems they can be dangerous, see Youtube. I'd happily hear others' feedback on this element.

 

[nigelmercier]

... I have now ordered two packs of a more expensive, but fully branded TrustFire Protected 14500 3.7V 900mAh Rechargeable Lithium Batteries Battery (2-Pack) http://amzn.to/1inSyWq

... Banggood batteries have let me down a lot ...

The first lot of batteries I bought were direct from Banggood, they were actually the cause of the problem, rather than the charger. Getting a replacement was a nightmare (they wanted a video of the torch not working!) so I tend to buy via Amazon now; it is often Banggood behind the sale, but covered by the Amazon guarantee.

Using the batteries above, and the charger in my Post #1, I'm getting 100% reliability with the torches. They also work fine with AA batteries; I've bought over a dozen so far, no failures. Note that this reliability could be because with new battery powered gear I always clean the battery contacts and apply Contralube before first use.

 

[nigelmercier]

The cheap Chinese ones are very well made and there is no reason for them to stop working. After all, there's nothing high tech about them really...

I agreed about the quality, however they do have a bit of "high tech" in them: a DC-DC converter and LED driver.

 

[lw395]

I agreed about the quality, however they do have a bit of "high tech" in them: a DC-DC converter and LED driver.

It's usually low tech bits of bent metal and crumbling plastic that stop cheap things like torches working.

 

[coopec]

I was told about a couple chaps fishing about 30 km off the coast of West Australia. Their boat was hit by lightning and all the electronics were destroyed including radio and batteries. They were absolutely helpless - couldn't do a thing except drift. It was lucky someone on the horizon saw the hit and came to their rescue but otherwise their boat would probably have drifted for a few months and come aground in Africa. I intend carrying a cree torch but that would only be good for signalling to a search aircraft or ship. Am I correct with that assumption?

I also plan to have half a dozen touch LED (battery) lights installed around the boat for cabin lighting- any better suggestions? Thanks