The Malkoff Front Porch
- Thread starter greatscoot
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Any beamshots from the Dropin M31WLL 2700K?
Malkoff Runtime Graphs - CR123/Alkaline Comparo
Hello to all of the Malkoff Fans, I have started this thread on behalf of peer pressure/help from my fellow Malkoff family :p. The purpose of this thread mainly started because there are always repeated questions of what runtime is on a given Malkoff device/module, and/or particular setup. I...
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MD2 M31WLL 519a sm273 on left, MDC AA 519a sm353 on the right. First picture is full output. Second picture is low output.
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Thank you very much. It seems to be a fantastic drop-in. In which modes did you use the MDC to take the photos? That would give me an idea of how many lumens the drop-in delivers.
I used H and LL on the MDC for the first and second picture, respectively. The MD2 is high/low ring running a CR123 USB-C rechargeable 3V and CR123 dummy cell.
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MDC in high mode delivers 100 lumens and in LL mode delivers 0.3, right? The drop-in seems to deliver more than 0.3.
That’s correct.
I’d say the M31WLL has slightly more output than the .3 lm lumens in AA MDC.. in person they look very close to the same. I wish I had something to measure the output..
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It will not. Not getting into the benefits/drawbacks of running AA, what you need for that requirement is the AA MDC. Same body different driver. Also not available with the new customizable output modes and off time switching at this time.
M31wll
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
Is that one of the Li-ion RCR123A's that uses a circuit to knock it down to 3V? I've contemplated getting one of those since even an LFP cell is too high of a voltage for the M31 series.
Yes it is. I bought it specifically knowing Kosen was releasing the M31WLL. I also got them for my Peak Logan 17500 although they’re a tad too long with the delrin spacer.
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
Also, I got my two M31WLL's today.
I tried one with a single AA, and compared it to an M31W (SST-20) on a single cell, and it's just a smidge less bright than the M31W to the eye.
On two cells, it's only a bit brighter, which is where the LL part really shines, so I've now got it in a Malkoff Maglite Adapter, running in a 2D with two 10,000 mAh Powerex NiMH D-cells. That's a LOT of capacity for a drop-in that's pretty general purpose.
It's a larger hotspot than the SST-20, and it's more distinct, as well as being a touch rosy. I'm exceptionally pleased with it, and will keep the one in my 2D. It's bright enough for around the house in the day use, even, so I might grab another MD3 body to run it, or maybe one of those 2xAA E-series bodies from Lumens Factory. Then again, I could get a 2xAA body from McGizmo, and finally use my titanium VME head, which might be a good call, since titanium doesn't handle high heat super well.
Overall, if someone is looking for a good 2xAA (or single AA) drop-in, this is pretty great. I REALLY like it in the Maglite, because the warm CCT just looks great in a Maglite.
I am still hoping Mark at Lumens Factory will decide to roll out a really low output drop-in, because I would still be cool with something much lower output than this for night time/emergency use.
www.lumensfactory.com
If you did one on the top and bottom, that's 10mm, so it might help.
I tried one with a single AA, and compared it to an M31W (SST-20) on a single cell, and it's just a smidge less bright than the M31W to the eye.
On two cells, it's only a bit brighter, which is where the LL part really shines, so I've now got it in a Malkoff Maglite Adapter, running in a 2D with two 10,000 mAh Powerex NiMH D-cells. That's a LOT of capacity for a drop-in that's pretty general purpose.
It's a larger hotspot than the SST-20, and it's more distinct, as well as being a touch rosy. I'm exceptionally pleased with it, and will keep the one in my 2D. It's bright enough for around the house in the day use, even, so I might grab another MD3 body to run it, or maybe one of those 2xAA E-series bodies from Lumens Factory. Then again, I could get a 2xAA body from McGizmo, and finally use my titanium VME head, which might be a good call, since titanium doesn't handle high heat super well.
Overall, if someone is looking for a good 2xAA (or single AA) drop-in, this is pretty great. I REALLY like it in the Maglite, because the warm CCT just looks great in a Maglite.
I am still hoping Mark at Lumens Factory will decide to roll out a really low output drop-in, because I would still be cool with something much lower output than this for night time/emergency use.
You could try a set of these:
Lumens Factory
If you did one on the top and bottom, that's 10mm, so it might help.
I had to place an order for the new Kosen 2-3v 2700k drop in. I’m a sucker for lower outputs and longer runtimes
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
It's pretty dang nice.
I can't stop chuckling at this thing in my 2D Maglite, hahaha.
GMT2330
Enlightened
24-30 hours runtime on 2x NiMH D cells? Or is my maths a bit out?
Probably run for days at low lumens on alkaline cells.
Probably run for days at low lumens on alkaline cells.
I wanted to throw this picture in here to visually show the flexibility of the M31WLL drop-in by showcasing the different cells I've been able to use in the MD2 with the use of a dummy CR123 cell I purchased from Malkoff and a Logan 17500 delrin battery adapter pack add-on from Peak LED. I also included the MDC w/ VME head for reference. Happy Humpday!
NOTES: The high/low ring in the MD2 ONLY functions using the 16340 KeepPower P1634TC 1000mAh 3V Protected Button Top USB-C and I expect would also work in an MD3 running 2xAA. Additionally, the low function on the high/low also works on a 3V primary (Surefire 123A in this case).
As I don't have an device to measure output, I reached out to Gene assuming he'd know what the output was roughly on low using an M31WLL and he said had no idea and that the high/low ring wasn't designed to work with a single CR123 running one of the 3V modules (M31) and I assume 2xAA. He was surprised that it worked well as he expected it to be quite flickery on low so take that for what you will if you run either of those setups.
I wonder if the circuitry in the 3V USB-C provides a flatter output versus the 3V primary allowing the high/low ring to function effectively and not as flickery as Gene was expecting? Maybe the same would apply to 2x AA USB-C 1.5V Li-ions as well?
NOTES: The high/low ring in the MD2 ONLY functions using the 16340 KeepPower P1634TC 1000mAh 3V Protected Button Top USB-C and I expect would also work in an MD3 running 2xAA. Additionally, the low function on the high/low also works on a 3V primary (Surefire 123A in this case).
As I don't have an device to measure output, I reached out to Gene assuming he'd know what the output was roughly on low using an M31WLL and he said had no idea and that the high/low ring wasn't designed to work with a single CR123 running one of the 3V modules (M31) and I assume 2xAA. He was surprised that it worked well as he expected it to be quite flickery on low so take that for what you will if you run either of those setups.
I wonder if the circuitry in the 3V USB-C provides a flatter output versus the 3V primary allowing the high/low ring to function effectively and not as flickery as Gene was expecting? Maybe the same would apply to 2x AA USB-C 1.5V Li-ions as well?
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GMT2330
Enlightened
I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that people have modified their hi/low ring with a different resistor more suited to 3.0v M31 drop-ins. I think it’s a bit tricky to do and you risk destroying the ring. Also, knowing Gene the resistor is probably potted.
Like the omnivore setup v.much
Like the omnivore setup v.much
tech25
Flashlight Enthusiast
I believe with some voltages and the high- low ring, you can turn the light on the high setting and than turn to low and it would work.
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yeah, I'm not sure of the draw on this at 2.4V, but it can't be much. D-cells are nuts for capacity, haha.
The Li-ion 3V one actually probably is perfect for using the high/low ring. I can use the H/L ring with 2xAA AT FIRST, once the voltage drops a bit, it only works if I start it, THEN rotate it, and then after that, it will not work.
It's interesting because Eneloops have a pretty stable discharge curve, so the H/L ring (made for the Li-ion cells) seems to just barely function around that 2.4V. CR123A cells have a horrible discharge curve in comparison. Just a TERRIBLE slope, so yes, I could see Gene being surprised because a single CR123A would drop voltage pretty quickly, under the range that the H/L ring seems to work.
If you look here, you can see they are BARELY ever at or near 3V, and tend to operate closer to the 2xNiMH ranges.|
CR123A (these are each different brands):
