Got the NEW Maglite ML25IT 2C

[vicv]

Something new to add. This has never been done before so don't go looking through the "threads of interest" and find "CR123 2C Mag Mod master thread" because that doesn't exist. And besides this isn't a 2C full sized mag!
That being said...... 3x cr123as and a spacer, along with a tads customs 7212 bulb, holy crap is this an awesome light. Non-rechargeable sure but it makes me feel like I'm carrying an m3. And can easily take the primaries out and install 2x 18500s. For $40 plus a $4 bulb. But it's whiter than an mn10. And brighter. And there's no competition on the throw. Beam isn't bad either once you get the height right.
Oh and a spare bulb in the tailcap.
We'll see about the reflector. I have probably 1.5h on this bulb at roughly 15 minute intervals and so far so good.
@bykfixer has been using a tl-3 bulb which has similar specs and his is doing fine.

 

[xxo]

A lot of us used to run 3X CR123's in 2C Mags back in the day. I generally used 6 cell Mag xenon PR bulbs - not the cheapest light to run as it ate CR123's pretty fast.

 

[vicv]

Ya I get about an hour before it's quite dim. My 18500s got old so I awaiting some new ones in the mail

 

[fivemega]

That being said...... 3x cr123as and a spacer, along with a tads customs 7212 bulb, holy crap is this an awesome light. Non-rechargeable sure but it makes me feel like I'm carrying an m3. And can easily take the primaries out and install 2x 18500s. For $40 plus a $4 bulb. But it's whiter than an mn10. And brighter.

I get about an hour before it's quite dim. My 18500s got old so I awaiting some new ones in the mail

You can go 3C (50mm longer) with pair of 21700 for 4 hours run time.
3xCr123 _ 60 min
2x18500 - 90 min
2x21700 - 240 min

 

[vicv]

I have a full size 3c that will have 21700s and a 7218 bulb. But for this light 3xcr123 and 18500 are perfect

 

[xxo]

3 of those Li-ion 3 Volt rechargeable CR123 size cells might work in a 2C incan Mag if they are not too long.

 

[vicv]

Maybe but what bulb would you run? It would blow any of the 3x cr123/2x lithium ion bulbs. Maybe a 9.6v bulb but it would be yellow and underdriven

 

[fivemega]

3 of those Li-ion 3 Volt rechargeable CR123 size cells might work in a 2C incan Mag if they are not too long.

Each CR123 is about 34mm long so 3xCR123 = 102mm
Each C size cell is about 50mm long so 2x50 = 100mm
Tail spring can compensate 2mm difference.

Maybe but what bulb would you run? It would blow any of the 3x cr123/2x lithium ion bulbs. Maybe a 9.6v bulb but it would be yellow and underdriven

Correct,
Each primary CR123 has about 2.5 volt under load of 1.2A so any 7.2 Volt will work fine with pair of RCR123 or pair of 18500
For 3 rechargeable RCR123 you will need proper voltage bulb such as 11.1 volt auxial if you can locate.

 

[xxo]

Each CR123 is about 34mm long so 3xCR123 = 102mm
Each C size cell is about 50mm long so 2x50 = 100mm
Tail spring can compensate 2mm difference.


Correct,
Each primary CR123 has about 2.5 volt under load of 1.2A so any 7.2 Volt will work fine with pair of RCR123 or pair of 18500
For 3 rechargeable RCR123 you will need proper voltage bulb such as 11.1 volt auxial if you can locate.

These are what I was referring to -

P1634U1 RCR123A 3V 860mAh battery

protected RCR123A, HIGH Capacity RCR123A CR123A battery Micro USB 16340 battery

www.keeppower.com.cn

They are 3.0V, not 3.7 and they are 36 mm long not 34.

 

[fivemega]

In that case you should look for low Amp bulb.
They won't hold voltage under high current.
I don't even recommend pair of those batteries with M*gCharger bulb.

 

[xxo]

In that case you should look for low Amp bulb.
They won't hold voltage under high current.
I don't even recommend pair of those batteries with M*gCharger bulb.

Shouldn't be much of a problem in this case, they're rated for 1.5A and I'm guessing bulbs that draw more than that would probably start to melt the ML25's plastic reflectors.

The added battery length would likely be a problem - the increased spring pressure may crush them.

 

[vicv]

Ok but what bulb to run on them?
Any of the bulbs mentioned in this thread will go poof if you attempt to run on 3 of those.
Maybe a 4 or 5 cell bulb on 2 plus a spacer?

 

[xxo]

Ok but what bulb to run on them?
Any of the bulbs mentioned in this thread will go poof if you attempt to run on 3 of those.
Maybe a 4 or 5 cell bulb on 2 plus a spacer?

3 would be 9V, same as 6X 1.5V alakalines or 3X CR123's. I don't see why it would blow a 6 cell bulb?

 

[xxo]

A lot of us used to run 3X CR123's in 2C Mags back in the day. I generally used 6 cell Mag xenon PR bulbs - not the cheapest light to run as it ate CR123's pretty fast.

Quickbeam's review of this mod from back in the day:

Flashlight Reviews and LED Modifications

 

[vicv]

Because a 6 cell bulb runs at ~7.5v. These batteries would be 9v. 6x alkalines is 7.2v very briefly then falling fast. Cr123s are at this load around 2.5v each.

 

[xxo]

Because a 6 cell bulb runs at ~7.5v. These batteries would be 9v. 6x alkalines is 7.2v very briefly then falling fast. Cr123s are at this load around 2.5v each.

I run 6 cell bulbs on 2X Li-ions with no problem, but maybe 9V is a stretch from 8+ Volts – don't know. The length of the cells make this a no-go for me without a modified spring anyway. 100 mm is the max length for 2 C cells, adding another 8 mm is not a good idea, especially for these little cells with a charger/circuitry sitting on top of the Li-ion cell inside.

If I had a 2 C light I wanted to run with a 6 cell bulb, I would go with a pair of protected 18350's in an adapter.

Run time would be better on 2X protected Keep power 18350's anyway (4.5 Watt-hr each in HKJ's test at 1 Amp for ~ 9 Whr total for 2X 18350's vs 2.7 Whr each for 8.1 Whr theoretical for 3X of the 3.0V Keep Power 123's).

 

[vicv]

2x18500s are perfect and are the same length as 2x C. I have a pair of 2300mah 18500s. Should give ~2.5h runtime with a 6 cell xenon bulb. Even lithium ion under load isn't 8+V. Maybe a good set of 21700 will be ~8v right after being fully charged then dropping from there. That's why a 6 cell mag bulb is so bright and white on 2x 18650s. But from 8v to 9v is a pretty big jump. The bulb may survive. I've never over volted one that much. Definitely use a krypton bulb as they handle overdrive better.

 

[vicv]

It's funny. I got home and I had another 2c ML25it in the mail. I only ordered one. The company must have had a paperwork mistake and sent a second one 2 weeks after the first. I'm awaiting them getting back to me but more than likely they'll just tell me to keep it. Probably not worth it for them to ship it back. Maybe one can be a user with 18500s and the other will be kept as an emergency with 3x cr123s

 

[xxo]

Most protected 18500's are also too long. Using multiple unprotected cells in series makes no sense to me – aside from being unsafe, you'll probably never get to use the extra capacity you get in theory because you can't risk running the cells down that low.

 

[vicv]

Fair enough. I've never used protected cells so I've gotten used to it.