New EDC light - Zebralight SC53w
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
A week with the SC53 has convinced me of three things: One, I agree with @bagman and @Scheerder when it comes to Zebralights. Two, that the SC53 is a fantastic EDC. Three, that I absolutely positively after a week of telling myself that I didn't need one, had to have an SC64 to be friends with it.
Hopefully it's arriving tomorrow.
Hopefully it's arriving tomorrow.
OK so I've now had the SC64 for a couple of weeks and I think I have to agree with @Estariol that unless you need the ubiquity of AA, and there is still a case for that, for EDC when I have access to a charger at home 18650 is the better option. It should be noted however that the SC64 has the reputation of being one of the most compact 18650 torches available, so YMMV when it comes to pocketability with other brands / models.
As you can see the size difference between the two torches is pretty small and the SC64's only 20g heavier (both with batteries installed) which is not noticeable to me. I've programmed H2 on the SC64 to 305 lm which it will do for 6.3 hrs vs 1.6 hrs at 275 lm for the SC53. At similar levels of output the SC64 lasts roughly three times as long, plus it has the eye-watering 1616 lm available at full chat should you want to incinerate a small child.
18650.uk has a good range of branded batteries, the pictured Panasonic is £5.50, so the batteries are inexpensive if you have an appropriate charger.
As you can see the size difference between the two torches is pretty small and the SC64's only 20g heavier (both with batteries installed) which is not noticeable to me. I've programmed H2 on the SC64 to 305 lm which it will do for 6.3 hrs vs 1.6 hrs at 275 lm for the SC53. At similar levels of output the SC64 lasts roughly three times as long, plus it has the eye-watering 1616 lm available at full chat should you want to incinerate a small child.
18650.uk has a good range of branded batteries, the pictured Panasonic is £5.50, so the batteries are inexpensive if you have an appropriate charger.
Estariol
Forum GOD!
I think that the battery pictured is one of the best choices for the purpose, since you don't need high-drain batteries, and the 3400mAh capacity is about the most that can be packed in 18650 batteries (there are 3500mAh ones, but that difference is basically insignificant), so, a great choice!
Charger wise, basic advice for Li-ion longevity is, the bigger the charge current, the shorter it lasts (decreases number of charging cycles before starting to lose properties), because higher current (amperage) causes the chemicals in the cell to heat more and it basically "dries" them. So don't exceed 1-1.5A output current on the charger and you're in for a looong time of use of the cell. For example, a Sony Konion VTC5A lasted me for full 5 years before it's capacity started to decrease, but it was always charged at 0.5 or 1A currents, and was at max lukewarm during charging. Yes, it does take more time to charge them this way, but it's manageable. The same principle goes for cellphone batteries, i do have a fast charger, but have used it maybe 6 to 8 times in a year, only in emergency situations. It's mostly charged with a 1A output charger. Unfortunately i don't know if this goes for Li-FePO (Li-Polymer) batteries as well.
Charger wise, basic advice for Li-ion longevity is, the bigger the charge current, the shorter it lasts (decreases number of charging cycles before starting to lose properties), because higher current (amperage) causes the chemicals in the cell to heat more and it basically "dries" them. So don't exceed 1-1.5A output current on the charger and you're in for a looong time of use of the cell. For example, a Sony Konion VTC5A lasted me for full 5 years before it's capacity started to decrease, but it was always charged at 0.5 or 1A currents, and was at max lukewarm during charging. Yes, it does take more time to charge them this way, but it's manageable. The same principle goes for cellphone batteries, i do have a fast charger, but have used it maybe 6 to 8 times in a year, only in emergency situations. It's mostly charged with a 1A output charger. Unfortunately i don't know if this goes for Li-FePO (Li-Polymer) batteries as well.
Boycie83
Space Cadet
I got excited over the AliExpress sales and purchased some Kensun and Supfire torches. The first of them arrived this week and it takes two 26650 batteries (that it came with). There's also an option to use two 18650 batteries with the provided plastic adapters. It's a great torch - like holding the sun in my hand. It's big - I have a few smaller ones on the way (all complete with 18650 batteries).
If I may pick the brains of you knowledge chaps:
If I may pick the brains of you knowledge chaps:
- All the torches have a USB charging point to charge the batteries. What charger would be best? I weak(ish) phone charger? One of the 'turbo' 5A phone chargers?
- Is the mAH difference between various 18650 batteries related to 'run time' or does it also impact light output?
- Assuming the answer to Q2 is run time only, I assume the 26650 only offers longer run time i.e. the only performance impact of using 18650 batteries in the big torch would be reduced run time?
- Hopefully the provided 18650 batteries will be ok. If they prove to be suite, what would you recommended from 18650.uk?
I charge my Li-ion batteries at 500 or 1000 mah which prolongs their life. Do the instructions not give a recommended charging rate?
I may be wrong but I think the physically bigger the battery the larger current draw it can provide so they can be brighter if designed that way (so a 18650 can give a brighter light than a 14500 [“AA” li-ion)]) generally the mah figure for a single battery type will just effect (or is it affect?) run time
don’t buy cheap li-ion batteries they can be very dangerous. I used to buy AW brand direct from Hong Kong but also have some Samsung branded cells and Nightcore/Olight ones. Make sure they are protected ones I.e. they have a built in PCB strip to protect against overcharge and discharge. Don’t strip cells out of laptop battery packs as they are usually unprotected
I always charge my batteries in a metal o open topped tin for safety
I may be wrong but I think the physically bigger the battery the larger current draw it can provide so they can be brighter if designed that way (so a 18650 can give a brighter light than a 14500 [“AA” li-ion)]) generally the mah figure for a single battery type will just effect (or is it affect?) run time
don’t buy cheap li-ion batteries they can be very dangerous. I used to buy AW brand direct from Hong Kong but also have some Samsung branded cells and Nightcore/Olight ones. Make sure they are protected ones I.e. they have a built in PCB strip to protect against overcharge and discharge. Don’t strip cells out of laptop battery packs as they are usually unprotected
I always charge my batteries in a metal o open topped tin for safety
Estariol
Forum GOD!
@Boycie83
Basically @bagman gave you all the answers, i'll try to be more detailed.
1. Charger-wise, don't go above 1 to 1.5A charging currents, i explained that in my post above yours. It would be ideal if you had a separate dedicated charger, because there's no guarantee that the built-in charger will equally charge both cells. Nitecore, XTAR, Golisi, Liitokala are charger brands favoured by vapers.
2. Generally mAh's are about the runtime, but there are cases where the circuit board regulates the power, so in your case, if you don't know the specs of the torch, i can't really tell. I assume the cells are connected in series, so if LED's are working at 7.2V it goes down to more light output and the runtime equal to mAh's of one battery cell, and if they have a step-down converter PCB which ramps the tension(voltage) down to 3.7V, then it's less light output (assumed with same number and type of LED's) and runtime equal to the sum of the mAh's of the two cells. I stand to be correected at this, since "assumption is the mother of all effups"
3. Basically yes. you'll get noticeably longer runtime with 26650 cells vs any smaller dimension cells. The first two numbers are width in mm, the second two are length in mm, the zero on the end is decoration (looks cool)
4. If the batteries are of an unknown brand, unbranded or have "xyzFire" in the name, avoid using them in anything.
As for battery recommendations, avoid everything with "fire" in the brand name or unbranded. Cells with built-in protection circuit boards can be 2 to 3mm longer than unprotected cells, so be aware of that, it may happen for you to not be able to close the compartment.
Good brands are Samsung, Sony Murata Konion, LG, Sanyo, Panasonic, and most other brands like Eneloop, Golisi, Xtar, Soshine, Keppower, Vapcell are rebranded ones from the first mentioned manufacturers. If you decide to go for 26650 cells, keep in mind that they are getting harder to find because 20700 and 21700 cells are slowly pushing them out.
A very good place to learn about Li-ion batteries are vaper forums, and here are some links to a well regarded expert on batteries, who has a LOT of reviews of various cells and brands:
http://moochreviews.com/home/
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/blogs/mooch.256958/
Basically @bagman gave you all the answers, i'll try to be more detailed.
1. Charger-wise, don't go above 1 to 1.5A charging currents, i explained that in my post above yours. It would be ideal if you had a separate dedicated charger, because there's no guarantee that the built-in charger will equally charge both cells. Nitecore, XTAR, Golisi, Liitokala are charger brands favoured by vapers.
2. Generally mAh's are about the runtime, but there are cases where the circuit board regulates the power, so in your case, if you don't know the specs of the torch, i can't really tell. I assume the cells are connected in series, so if LED's are working at 7.2V it goes down to more light output and the runtime equal to mAh's of one battery cell, and if they have a step-down converter PCB which ramps the tension(voltage) down to 3.7V, then it's less light output (assumed with same number and type of LED's) and runtime equal to the sum of the mAh's of the two cells. I stand to be correected at this, since "assumption is the mother of all effups"
3. Basically yes. you'll get noticeably longer runtime with 26650 cells vs any smaller dimension cells. The first two numbers are width in mm, the second two are length in mm, the zero on the end is decoration (looks cool)
4. If the batteries are of an unknown brand, unbranded or have "xyzFire" in the name, avoid using them in anything.
As for battery recommendations, avoid everything with "fire" in the brand name or unbranded. Cells with built-in protection circuit boards can be 2 to 3mm longer than unprotected cells, so be aware of that, it may happen for you to not be able to close the compartment.
Good brands are Samsung, Sony Murata Konion, LG, Sanyo, Panasonic, and most other brands like Eneloop, Golisi, Xtar, Soshine, Keppower, Vapcell are rebranded ones from the first mentioned manufacturers. If you decide to go for 26650 cells, keep in mind that they are getting harder to find because 20700 and 21700 cells are slowly pushing them out.
A very good place to learn about Li-ion batteries are vaper forums, and here are some links to a well regarded expert on batteries, who has a LOT of reviews of various cells and brands:
http://moochreviews.com/home/
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/blogs/mooch.256958/
Boycie83
Space Cadet
@Boycie83
Basically @bagman gave you all the answers, i'll try to be more detailed.
1. Charger-wise, don't go above 1 to 1.5A charging currents, i explained that in my post above yours. It would be ideal if you had a separate dedicated charger, because there's no guarantee that the built-in charger will equally charge both cells. Nitecore, XTAR, Golisi, Liitokala are charger brands favoured by vapers.
2. Generally mAh's are about the runtime, but there are cases where the circuit board regulates the power, so in your case, if you don't know the specs of the torch, i can't really tell. I assume the cells are connected in series, so if LED's are working at 7.2V it goes down to more light output and the runtime equal to mAh's of one battery cell, and if they have a step-down converter PCB which ramps the tension(voltage) down to 3.7V, then it's less light output (assumed with same number and type of LED's) and runtime equal to the sum of the mAh's of the two cells. I stand to be correected at this, since "assumption is the mother of all effups"
3. Basically yes. you'll get noticeably longer runtime with 26650 cells vs any smaller dimension cells. The first two numbers are width in mm, the second two are length in mm, the zero on the end is decoration (looks cool)
4. If the batteries are of an unknown brand, unbranded or have "xyzFire" in the name, avoid using them in anything.
As for battery recommendations, avoid everything with "fire" in the brand name or unbranded. Cells with built-in protection circuit boards can be 2 to 3mm longer than unprotected cells, so be aware of that, it may happen for you to not be able to close the compartment.
Good brands are Samsung, Sony Murata Konion, LG, Sanyo, Panasonic, and most other brands like Eneloop, Golisi, Xtar, Soshine, Keppower, Vapcell are rebranded ones from the first mentioned manufacturers. If you decide to go for 26650 cells, keep in mind that they are getting harder to find because 20700 and 21700 cells are slowly pushing them out.
A very good place to learn about Li-ion batteries are vaper forums, and here are some links to a well regarded expert on batteries, who has a LOT of reviews of various cells and brands:
http://moochreviews.com/home/
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/blogs/mooch.256958/
Thank you both - I appreciate the responses.
MaH (Milliamp Hours) is the capacity of the battery and can translate into either brighter or longer life depending on how it's used. A 3500 MaH battery can give you 3500 milliamps for one hour or one milliamp for 3500 hours.
As a general rule a physically bigger battery has a higher capacity, generally with torches the LED is regulated so the biggest batteries the torch will take (assuming high quality) will give you the maximum output, smaller ones may not let you hit maximum brightness but it does depend on the torch itself, they will also result in reduced run-time. My Nitecore takes a 18650 or you can also use two CR123, my take on that is that the two CR123 option is there for if you find yourself without an 18650 but have some of those. Plus they're apparently common primaries in the US.
Don't forget to post pics of your new purchases!
As a general rule a physically bigger battery has a higher capacity, generally with torches the LED is regulated so the biggest batteries the torch will take (assuming high quality) will give you the maximum output, smaller ones may not let you hit maximum brightness but it does depend on the torch itself, they will also result in reduced run-time. My Nitecore takes a 18650 or you can also use two CR123, my take on that is that the two CR123 option is there for if you find yourself without an 18650 but have some of those. Plus they're apparently common primaries in the US.
Don't forget to post pics of your new purchases!
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
What do you guys do with these flashlights/torches? I mean, are they a part of your vocations?
My EDC one lives in my pocket until I need light. This could be getting from my car to my house after dark or peering under the sofa to see where a dropped thing went. It’s surprising how often one comes in handy when it’s always there.
I’ve certainly never thought “I really wish I didn’t have a torch right now.”
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
I keep the Streamlight in my Manhatten Portage messenger bag. If that bag is with me, I am prepared...LOL!!
I always carry a pocket torch of some sort even with a suit. I have much bigger stuff for work!
This is exactly what I've done in the past!
High quality cells, used with a good, high quality charger. Win win. Got to know what you're doing though, so just buy protected cells!
Unless you have a Zebralight where the tolerances are so tight only unprotected cells will fit.This is exactly what I've done in the past!
