Malkoff MDC AA using 2.4vdc battery

UnlistMe
Inventry
Candle Power Forums

Help Support Candle Power:

RWT1405 said:
@Msf

@ledbetter

Please let us know how the Olight 2.4v 14500 worked with your MDC AA 1-2v flashlights...

It's been 2 1/2+ years since you posted about this
Click to expand...
No problems with the odd Olight 2.4v 14500. Have used 3 in rotation and enjoy the C charging capability when I don’t want to carry extra charging gear. Experimented in a variety of voltage ranges but mostly used with Malkoff AA lights and an old M30 in a VME head. In that set up the 1.2, 1.5, 2.4, and 3.7v batteries all give a slightly different output.
 
ledbetter said:
No problems with the odd Olight 2.4v 14500. Have used 3 in rotation and enjoy the C charging capability when I don't want to carry extra charging gear. Experimented in a variety of voltage ranges but mostly used with Malkoff AA lights and an old M30 in a VME head. In that set up the 1.2, 1.5, 2.4, and 3.7v batteries all give a slightly different output.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response!

I agree with the difference in outputs depending on which volt battery is used in my MDC 1AA 1-2v

I have found the 2.4v gives my MDC 1 AA almost identical LL and L levels compared to my MDC 2-3.2v's (2AA or 1 CR123)

I am now trying an XTAR 1.5v 14500, which is proving to be almost perfect (for me) for my MDC 1AA 1-2v
 
Was anyone brave enough to try a 3v CR123 on a 1-2v AA head? I’m curious how it performs. Does say anything over 3.3v will damage the head but technically 3v should be safe?
 
Gene probably has tried it.

I've asked him about some borderline voltages before, and he was pretty candid about what would and would not work.
MY GUESS is that if he put 3.3v, it's because he did try a CR123A, haha.
 
Kiln-Dried Oak Wood for Pizza Ovens, 8-Inch Barkless Logs, Ideal for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, and Other Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens- Approx. 15lbs
See price on Amazon
Kiln-Dried Oak Wood for Pizza Ovens, 8-Inch Barkless Logs, Ideal for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, and Other Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens- Approx. 15lbs
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
See price on Amazon
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
See price on Amazon
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
See price on Amazon
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
See price on Amazon
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
2 Stroke Engines Oil Fuel Mixing Bottle 4 Ratios 32:1/50:1/40:1/25:1, Reusable Motorbike Motorcycle Lawnmower Brush Cutter Chainsaw White
See price on Amazon
2 Stroke Engines Oil Fuel Mixing Bottle 4 Ratios 32:1/50:1/40:1/25:1, Reusable Motorbike Motorcycle Lawnmower Brush Cutter Chainsaw White
Husqvarna 100000101 Classic Chainsaw Carrying Case
See price on Amazon
Husqvarna 100000101 Classic Chainsaw Carrying Case
MechMaxx Heavy Duty 3-Point PTO Powered Stump Root Grinder For 15-45HP Tractors With 34 Carbide Teeth, 6'' Cutting Depth, 24'' Flywheel Diameter, Model SG24 Orange
See price on Amazon
MechMaxx Heavy Duty 3-Point PTO Powered Stump Root Grinder For 15-45HP Tractors With 34 Carbide Teeth, 6'' Cutting Depth, 24'' Flywheel Diameter, Model SG24 Orange
MechMaxx Heavy Duty 3-Point PTO Powered Stump Root Grinder For 15-45HP Tractors With 34 Carbide Teeth, 6'' Cutting Depth, 24'' Flywheel Diameter, Model SG24 Green
See price on Amazon
MechMaxx Heavy Duty 3-Point PTO Powered Stump Root Grinder For 15-45HP Tractors With 34 Carbide Teeth, 6'' Cutting Depth, 24'' Flywheel Diameter, Model SG24 Green
PPOLB 7 Ton Electric Wood Splitter, 15Amp Hydraulic Log Splitter, Portable Electric Log Splitter for Firewood, Compact Horizontal Wood Splitter for Backyard, Garage, Cabin - Orange
See price on Amazon
PPOLB 7 Ton Electric Wood Splitter, 15Amp Hydraulic Log Splitter, Portable Electric Log Splitter for Firewood, Compact Horizontal Wood Splitter for Backyard, Garage, Cabin - Orange
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
Hahaha, dude...Shoot Gene an e-mail first. He seems to check those on Sunday nights. He'll probably either give you a go-ahead, or save you $100 :)

hahaha.

This feels like you're setting yourself up for that Austin Powers scene of "I also like to live dangerously." hahaha.
 
ilikeguns40 said:
I'd love to be able to run this AA head on a CR123 body. Maybe I'll try it, been feeling risky lately!
Click to expand...

The real question is not whether they will 'work', but rather, 'for how long'?

The only source I would trust for this info is the manufacturer. The above likely renders most anecdotal user info of little or no value, unless the fate / value of the light is also of little concern.

That said, if you do ask them, also ask re: LFP123, as many interested in CR123A would also be interested in those. Mine appear to generally be sitting here at ~3.3X volts OCV (open-circuit / no-load). I use them in a bunch of 1xCR123A-only lights to great advantage in all my applications (where 3.6/3.7-4.2V cells are not acceptable), and max sustained run-time between swaps is not generally an issue (which is the majority of my routine use).

Screen Shot 2025-06-01 at 4.49.42 PM.png
 
ilikeguns40 said:
Was anyone brave enough to try a 3v CR123 on a 1-2v AA head? I'm curious how it performs. Does say anything over 3.3v will damage the head but technically 3v should be safe?
Click to expand...
From what I've seen, the drivers used in the Malkoff lights are either "buck" (voltage step-down) or "boost" (voltage step-up), and fall back to direct drive when the input voltage equals the target output voltage. Since white LEDs require roughly 3V (the exact voltage varies depending on a few factors and may be below 3V), the AA heads (and M31) use a boost driver. Running 3V into an AA head likely won't result in any current regulation, and means that the LED current is dependent on the cell voltage. While the SST20 can take a fair amount of current, running an AA head on a CR123 isn't something I'd do if I cared about the long-term reliability of the head.
 
Thanks for the info. Might be too risky to attempt, may just keep it as is. Wish a battery manufacturer made a 1.8v CR123 sized battery
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top