16340 battery help

[Rocketboy]

I just received a new Skylaser/Laserbtb PL405nm 500mw.It was shipped without batteries & I dont have any 16340s so I threw a couple of fresh quality cr123a batts in it. I don't have an LPM yet,but there's no way it's producing a half a watt of power. My 250mw O-like Power Rock burns better.While researching 16340 batts, I noticed they come in 3v, 3.2v, & 3.7v. Can I use a pair of 3.7v batts in this laser without overloading the diode?

 

[Shakenawake]

in short, yes.

cr123 batteries are the same size but the voltages can vary as you have discovered. the CR123s are working but you're right, not giving full power. you need 3.7 volts per cell for that

 

[trencheel303]

Do note that 18350s will generally fit in this laser and produce slightly longer run times than 16340, won't rattle around in the barrel and are tighter to the tail cap. Tested firsthand by myself and another member, verified by many others.

 

[Rocketboy]

ya, I noticed the cr123 batteries had a lot of room. I threw an 18650 in the unit to see if it would work, and it did….as a 5mw pointer.

 

[xirrious]

Carefu...l plAying with batteries without fully knowing what ur doing is how I just burnt my 405nm up.

 

[Flaminpyro]

If it will fit a 18650 then that is the way to go, it has the same chemistry and voltage as the 16340 but more
capacity so you will have a longer time between charges and possibly more power out, that depends.


@ xirrious Good advice

 

[Shakenawake]

two 18650s would work, if they fit, I suspect an extension adapter would be needed. 18350s are a good idea over 16340s. same with one of my lasers, it calls for 16340s but the 18350s fit better

 

[trencheel303]

ya, I noticed the cr123 batteries had a lot of room. I threw an 18650 in the unit to see if it would work, and it did….as a 5mw pointer.

That's because one 18650 only gave it half the required voltage.

 

[cheech226]

if the 18350's fit then they are your best choice. buy good ones like aw. sounds like there is a linear driver in the laser, if that's the case you will need the full 7.5 - 8.4V 18350's provide for full power output.

 

[xirrious]

AW is a MUST. Absolute best Li out there. IMR cells offer best discharge ICRs have a pcb to protect from overcharging over discharging and are a tad larger. I use IMR for better discharge rates.... Fenix Flashlights, Cree LED, Lithium Batteries, Lithium Ion Batteries, Li-Ion Chargers, Leatherman Multitools, Spyderco Knives and more!


Edit.. IMR are designed to offer the same protection as ICR batteries via chemical make up but obviously they dont offer as much protection. You can still kill them...