16340 or 18650?

hi im confused and need a little advice please, im using 2x 16340 rechargeable batteries at the moment but ive heard the 18650 are better because of their mah?I have a 1.2w 445nm and it takes 7.2v so wouldnt 1x 18650 restrict the power output of my laser?

Depends on the driver and the voltage it can operate at. Going from 2 16340's to 1 18650 would be like going from 2 16340's to 1. Both batteries carry the same voltage so you would lose 3.7v of power. You may have to switch from a buck to a boost driver unless your driver has a good voltage supply range. I would probably just buy higher capacity 16340's there will be no adjustment to the driver or host needed and you can get some pretty high capacity 16340s

Im not sure, the laser i have is a Lazerer 445nm 1.2w so i dont know which driver that ones using. Ive taken a 650nm diode from a dvd rw and im just considering which battery i should use in the host as it fits either 16340 or a 18650 and is there a driver in particular that would work? Im determined to build this

Well the laser has a 445 diode in that build I would use the highest capacity 16340's I could find. Now once you switch diodes in that laser you will have a driver issue no doubt so i would just buy another cheap host and start from scratch on that build. You will need to know the specs for the 650nm diode to nail down a driver and then you will know how best to power it based on the drivers input voltage range and drop off. I am not real sure why you would want a low powered 650nm over a high power 445nm in the first place.

mralan said:

Im not sure, the laser i have is a Lazerer 445nm 1.2w so i dont know which driver that ones using. Ive taken a 650nm diode from a dvd rw and im just considering which battery i should use in the host as it fits either 16340 or a 18650 and is there a driver in particular that would work? Im determined to build this ��

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Are you planning to replace the blue diode with the red one? If you are, take note that you have to use another driver. Also, use 1x 18650 instead of 2x 16340.

Edit: As for the driver, I would recommend x- drive adjustable version

Plan C -

If you want more performance, but with a two celled solution for voltage, but have it fit where an 18650 fits, use two 18350 instead of one 18650.

You can get a lot more amp supply for high drain applications, you get the doubled voltage, and your useful MAH will be the same as for one 18350.