"5000" lumen light….

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This topic has 420 replies, 131 voices, and was last updated 11 years ago by jeffm.

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"5000" lumen light….
MarkLG
Free Member

That XT40 on the Solarstorm website looks like a nice light, but the problem with these sets is the batteries. I’ve got a few now and they’re only 2-2.5 Ah capacity, which is fine for the single T6 light, but they’re inadequate for anything with more than 1 LED.
To get a decent run time on the XT40 you’ll need at least 6Ah, preferably 8Ah. If I’ve bought a light that powerful then I want it to last a 2-3hr ride, without having to keep turning it down to save the battery.
By the time you’ve sorted out a battery and a decent quality charger to go with the XT40 you probably won’t be far short of the price of the 3x U2 Fluxient that Torchy’s selling on eBay, which comes with an 8.8Ah battery and 2 year warranty.

Posted 11 years ago

MarkLG
Free Member

Charged my battery up then connected light and left it on full power. It lasted just over an hour and light got very hot. Not impressed with battery life. I will recharge battery and try again

I assume you’re using the Solarstorm twin LED?
1 hour run time on the standard battery is about the norm – it may improve after a few charge cycles, but I don’t think you’ll get much more than this. The batteries I’ve got are all 2.5Ah tops.

After having a bit of time to play around with these I’d say that if you just want something bright that’ll run for 2 hrs+ without spending a lot of money then stick with the single LEDs.
If you’ve already got some high capacity batteries and a decent charger, or you’re a bit of a tinkerer, then the twin LEDs are worth buying just for the light.

Posted 11 years ago

benp1
Full Member

I haven’t traipsed back through the thread, but I thought people were getting more like 2+ hours. 1 hour is very short

Posted 11 years ago

aracer
Free Member

C rating is to do with the draw they cam handle is higher the c rating the more amps they can handle efficiently iirc

For lights don’t worry about the C rating – at most you need a C rating of 1, and even the cheapest RC pack will be far higher than that. It’s not relevant when you’re taking an hour to use up the battery – typical RC stuff uses up a battery in 5-10 minutes.

Posted 11 years ago

pdw
Free Member

if you just want something bright that’ll run for 2 hrs+ without spending a lot of money then stick with the single LEDs.

You don’t have to run them on full, and two LEDs running at half current will produce more light than a single one at full current, as efficiency decreases with increasing current.

No i didnt, but didnt expect it to get that hot. It would still get very hot even running it on the bike at night though.

A little bit of moving air makes a big difference. All of these LED lights will overheat if left stationary on full power, but many have a thermal cut out to prevent damage.

Posted 11 years ago

bigdawg
Free Member

Well going back a page or two I ordered mine Thursday and it d this morning so despite being a Chinese seller they are based in the UK

Posted 11 years ago

theblackmount
Free Member

ok battery experts – what about chucking 4 of these:

http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10001980/1341105-panasonic-ncr18650b-18650-3-7v-3400mah-protected

Inside one of these:

http://blackshadow.en.alibaba.com/product/1319183418-219936704/Solarstorm_BC_1_rechargeable_water_proof_4_18650_li_ion_battery_pack_case_used_for_bike_light.html

I gather these Panasonics are the most powerful 18650’s currently available pumping out a reliable 3200Mah…

Posted 11 years ago

pdw
Free Member

Yep, that should work just fine. Should give you around 3 hours for an X2 on max.

Posted 11 years ago

MarkLG
Free Member

blackmount: This is an option I’ve been looking at, along with a dedicated 18650 charger. The problem seems to be getting hold of the battery case you’ve linked to. I’ve only seen them being sold as part of a light set from China.

Posted 11 years ago

theblackmount
Free Member

Thanks pdw.

MarkLG: No problemo I spotted it somewhere on it’s own. Will trawl and report back. They did want an arm and a leg for shipping iirc but it was still pretty cheap for what it is in UK terms.

Conversely I’ve not seen it as part of a light package – got a link?

These guys have got a similar solution but I suspect its a sealed unit like the Magicshine 6 cell thing:

http://www.mtbrevolution.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=244

Posted 11 years ago

benp1
Full Member

I’d be interested in a battery pack that can you can your own 18650 cells in, sort of like the Fenix BT20 battery pack

One of the eBay sellers have dropped the price to £28.99 and included a cheap rear light in with the deal, too good to miss out on so just clicked through, hopefully will turn up by next weekend

Posted 11 years ago

MarkLG
Free Member

Conversely I’ve not seen it as part of a light package – got a link?

The battery holder is in the 3 LED Solarstorm set on their website, but the ones I’ve seen on ebay just have the standard shrink rapped battery pack.

http://www.solarstorm.hk/productview.asp?id=38&classid=006

Posted 11 years ago

cruzcampo
Free Member

@marklg that battery box alone makes me want the X3!

Any decent sellers got it with said box for sale?Could take x4 spare AA batteries out that way for emergencies on a ride.

Posted 11 years ago

cruzcampo
Free Member

I can’t find anyone selling the X3 with the battery box 🙁 Just sealed pack here

http://www.lightmalls.com/black-color-solarstorm-x3-3xcree-xm-l-u2-4-modes-2500-lumen-bicycle-light-4-18650-battery

Posted 11 years ago

theblackmount
Free Member

Yeah me neither. It’s on the manufacturers website but the various resellers are all bunching it with el cheapo (probably crap)4 cell sealed units.

Here’s the box on its own:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Solarstorm-portable-water-proof-4-18650-battery-box-rechargeable-battery-case-used-for-bike-light/1314568186.html

You need a decent charger for that battery I linked to…

Posted 11 years ago

Rich
Free Member

Does anyone know how likely the magicshine or fluxient batteries are going to be close to their stated capacity?

I’m considering buying a magicshine 5.6mah battery which apparently has Samsung cells, or maybe a fluxient battery that has 6 batteries inside and is claimed to be 6.6mah.

Which of these is likely to be better, or shall I consider something else?

Posted 11 years ago

MarkLG
Free Member

Rich:

You could get one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluxient-6600mAh-7-4v-battery-with-pouch-compatible-with-Magicshine-Xeccon-etc-/300973056856?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item4613646358

Posted 11 years ago

onandon
Free Member

I’ve ordered an x3 to try with my 11,000 mah pack. That should be fun 🙂
I have a few other lights so I’ll do a mini review when the puppy gets here

Posted 11 years ago

Rich
Free Member

Yes that is one I was considering, I was just wondering if Fluxient are usually anything like their quoted capacity.

The magicshine mj6030 looks good, being 5.6mah but only 4 batteries so smaller and lighter.

Posted 11 years ago

banjax34
Free Member

as the solarstorm x2 has the screw type connectors on the cable whats a good battery pack upgrade with that type connector and a decent length cable for helmet use or do you have to rewire the head unit to suit an alternative battery pack upgrade ??? i like the light but with a short cable on the crap battery pack it could do with replacing

Posted 11 years ago

z1ppy
Full Member

A normal magicshine battery will still connect to the SS X2, you just don’t use the screw up connector, but it’s been suggested that if you remove the o-ring, this helps joining (I’m just forcing mine on, past this..).
As for battery pack, MTB Batteries, fluxient from big_f_d_d (link above) or Magicshine UK would be my preference (in that order) for batteries.
Get a extension cable for helmet use, link this one lots of ppl sell them..

Posted 11 years ago

theblackmount
Free Member

Buying the battery holder and the separate Panasonics surely does away with any doubt as to the batteries performance? Plenty of info on the web attesting to the 3400’s performance.

Plus you also get the Pukka screw in connector for the Solar Fire light…

And four separate batteries which can be used in single cell torches…

Buying these units with cheapo no name batteries is a false economy – been there. I want something I can reliably run for 3 hrs and mostly on high.

Only thing I’m unclear on is whether to use the protected or non protected version of the Panasonics (also with an eye to torch use)

Anyone?

Posted 11 years ago

benp1
Full Member

I only use protected 18650 cells in my torches. I have quite a few already and having singles gives me more use of of them.

If someone tracks down a good source of 4 cell packs I’d definitely be interested

Posted 11 years ago

AlexSimon
Full Member

Those Solarstorm battery packs on are Ali Express at $5 but with $15 shipping.
A quick check showed that buying 20 for a group buy would work out at about £5 each, but then there would be customs and the post of getting them out to people on top of that. Likely to be less than a tenner though.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Solarstorm-portable-water-proof-4-18650-battery-box-rechargeable-battery-case-used-for-bike-light/1314568186.html

Posted 11 years ago

pdw
Free Member

Only thing I’m unclear on is whether to use the protected or non protected version of the Panasonics (also with an eye to torch use)

You definitely want protected. Unprotected cells are only suitable if you’re building them into a battery which has a separate protection circuit.

Posted 11 years ago

jsync
Full Member

AlexSimon – Member
Those Solarstorm battery packs on are Ali Express at $5 but with $15 shipping.
A quick check showed that buying 20 for a group buy would work out at about £5 each, but then there would be customs and the post of getting them out to people on top of that. Likely to be less than a tenner though.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Solarstorm-portable-water-proof-4-18650-battery-box-rechargeable-battery-case-used-for-bike-light/1314568186.html

POSTED 10 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST

I’d be in

Posted 11 years ago

stevemorg2
Full Member

have a look at the last post (at time of me typing!!) here

http://forums.mtbr.com/lights-night-riding/battery-thread-2013-a-834295-9.html#post10081585

I’ve emailed the guy posting and am having a battery pack off him for £12 – I’m not sure how many more he may have

Posted 11 years ago

nealy
Free Member

have a look at the last post (at time of me typing!!) here

http://forums.mtbr.com/lights-night-riding/battery-thread-2013-a-834295-9.html#post10081585

I’ve emailed the guy posting and am having a battery pack off him for £12 – I’m not sure how many more he may have

Is that the Solarstorm battery box? Looks like it is just the box without any cells in it. They do look good though and a great way of ensuring you’ve got good cells in your pack which can be individually charged to balance them and replaced if any fail, tempted myself.

Posted 11 years ago

theblackmount
Free Member

First issue for me would be whether that box will take the longer protected Panasonics.

ygm Stevemorg2

Posted 11 years ago

cr500dom
Free Member

I’d be interested in a group buy of a 4 cell Holder and some protected Panasonic cells, or just tacking on to someone elses order ?
Failing that I work with a Chinese Engineer, perhaps I should get her to email and ask some questions about availability ?

Posted 11 years ago

theblackmount
Free Member

I think Fasttech are the best / cheapest source for genuine Panasonic 3400’s protected. Seems there’s a lot of scamming / cloning / selling re-badged used cells in the world of Chinese batteries.

Also, you’d need to buy a fair amount I reckon to neutralise the on-cost / hassle of re posting them in the UK.

$16.98 shipped for 2.

Posted 11 years ago

grum
Free Member

I’d be interested in a group buy of a 4 cell Holder and some protected Panasonic cells, or just tacking on to someone elses order ?

+1

Posted 11 years ago

kevin1911
Full Member

Me too!

Posted 11 years ago

Gary_M
Free Member

Count me in on the battery box too please

Posted 11 years ago

AlexSimon
Full Member

The problem with trying to combine the batteries with the case are twofold:
1) Batteries aren’t from the same shop as the case
2) Royal Mail wont deliver the batteries (from the group buyer to individuals).

Posted 11 years ago

cr500dom
Free Member

I use myHermes for parcels, I`m not sure if they have the same restrictions ?

Posted 11 years ago

bellefied
Free Member

would this be any good for the solarstorm x2?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MJ-828-Digital-battery-series-3-Upgrade-works-with-MJ-872-MJ-816-MJ-808-MJ-808E-/130991679636?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&var=430195238960&hash=item1e7fb66894#ht_2077wt_1255

Posted 11 years ago

nealy
Free Member

The problem with trying to combine the batteries with the case are twofold:
1) Batteries aren’t from the same shop as the case
2) Royal Mail wont deliver the batteries (from the group buyer to individuals).

Just to do the group buy on the battery box and order the cells individually from fasttech…sorted.

Posted 11 years ago

cruzcampo
Free Member

The guys looking to replace x2 batteries, is this purely from a safety perspective, or runtime? As they’re pretty decent on runtime.

Posted 11 years ago

Rich
Free Member

Runtime for me, as I would like to get more than 1hr 15mins on full.

Seems a waste to buy a powerful light and need to run it at a low power a lot of the time to extend the battery life.

Posted 11 years ago