Duncs Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 I need the wisdom of the torch experts. I've had a Solar Force M8 for a while now and it's ace! I put two 18650 rechargeables in it and it does the job. They are 3.7V each so that means they're pumping 7.4V through the head unit. Since it is rated to 9V, all is as it should be. Last night I tried putting two of the half sized rechargeables in it (I dont have one with me now so I cant remember the model number). They are also rated to 3.7V but at a lower MAh rating (so they wont last as long). That would allow me to get the same output but for a shorter time. Or so I thought. It did just that - but only ran for about 5 seconds. I could turn it off for a minute and get it to come back on but, again only for 5 seconds. The batteries are from Solar Force as well so they should be good ones. I have 4 of them so I mixed them around but got the same result. Any ideas? I figure some fail safe is tripping somewhere either in the battery or torch head but I don't know why? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman_DJ Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 By halve size, I assume you mean 16340 or CR123A batteries.I also assume you have the extension tube removed for that.The mathematics say it should work, but that assumes the batteries have a charge in them!!!!If they are rechargeable batteries, have you charged them before use. If they aren't, you may have just gotten duds.Do you have any means to test the actual voltage on the batteries? If so then share here. Also put them in the light and turn it on, then immediately test the voltage again. You should see a much lower voltage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncs Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Give me a little credit, DJ - they are charged. Measuring the voltage is a good idea though. Yup - they are 16340s. Voltage is between 3.92 and 4.03. I put two reading 3.92V in and after about 5 secs it turns off. Voltage on both after immediately taking them out is 3.88 but crept back up to 3.92 after a minute. So that makes it sound like its not the battery protecting itself? So probably the head? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optic Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Did you charge up your radio while you were having a play Duncs? I have had no luck swapping batteries either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenring Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Got me buggered. CR123 / 16340 and 18350's in pairs should run it. Something going on in the driver I reckon. My new K3 (MT-G2 @1500 lumens), Pro-1 and M3 will all run on a pair of RCR123's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncs Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Hmmm - bugger. It still works fine with the 18650s so I'll stick with that. I've ordered a K3 as well. Sally wants to know where you live, Fen (sorry, I lagged after a disappointingly small amount of torture). My advice is to leave the country. Quickly. I'll try them in the Pro1 and M3 and see how they go - I should have thought of that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optic Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 So you have all theswe torches. A new N.V on the way. No doubt other stuff your keeping quiet. WHAT DID SALLY GET? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncs Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 WHAT DID SALLY GET? ME!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenring Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman_DJ Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Do the voltage on the 18650's, before use and after 1 minute of use.Oh and it's normally the smartest computer geeks that forget to plug it in :-P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samburstalker Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Maybe Sally has flattened the battery's using the torch when your not home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optic Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Maybe Sally has flattened the battery's using the torch when your not home LMAO he is never home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samburstalker Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Wow just googled it. It's black, it's ribbed, got a big knob and it's waterproof and duncs your never home. Battery's are flat my guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncs Posted August 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 I'll sniff it and report back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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