JCD
Enlightened
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2010
- Messages
- 892
I've found myself with several Surefire P60 lamp assemblies and some unused two cell Surefire hosts. I've been wanting to use the P60s, but I don't want to run primaries for normal use. I prefer guilt free lumens.
An Internet search yielded one thread on another Web site where a user successfully used 2x 16340 LiFePO4 cells with his P60 lamp assembly, with the caveat that the cells started at 3.35 volts each.
I started with two LiFePO4 cells that came off the charger yesterday. On the DMM, they showed a voltage of 3.45 volts. I put them in my PD30 (on turbo) for 15 seconds and rechecked the voltage. It read 3.35.
I grabbed a 6P that happened to still have a P60 installed. I installed the LiFePO4 cells and crossed my fingers. Success! It did NOT go like I feared it might. (I once lost an MN03 trying LiFePO4 cells fresh off the charger.)
I haven't tested runtime, since my cells are 3-4 years old and well used. The user on the other site said he got about 20 minutes before experiencing significant dimming, but the cells he had pictured were the same generic DX cells I'm using. A quality LiFePO4 cell might last longer.
Now for some questions:
Thanks for your feedback!
An Internet search yielded one thread on another Web site where a user successfully used 2x 16340 LiFePO4 cells with his P60 lamp assembly, with the caveat that the cells started at 3.35 volts each.
I started with two LiFePO4 cells that came off the charger yesterday. On the DMM, they showed a voltage of 3.45 volts. I put them in my PD30 (on turbo) for 15 seconds and rechecked the voltage. It read 3.35.
I grabbed a 6P that happened to still have a P60 installed. I installed the LiFePO4 cells and crossed my fingers. Success! It did NOT go like I feared it might. (I once lost an MN03 trying LiFePO4 cells fresh off the charger.)
I haven't tested runtime, since my cells are 3-4 years old and well used. The user on the other site said he got about 20 minutes before experiencing significant dimming, but the cells he had pictured were the same generic DX cells I'm using. A quality LiFePO4 cell might last longer.
Now for some questions:
- Has anyone else tried this? If so: Were you successful? What was your starting voltage? What was your runtime (if you tested it)?
- What are the theoretical issues with doing this? Should I expect significantly reduced bulb life?
Thanks for your feedback!