sac02

My MS battery has been near-useless for a while, and it's finally dead. It will only charge to ~7.45V, will run the light less than 15min, then protection trips and battery pack V goes to 0.00 (a second or two on the charger will untrip the pack and I measure ~7.15V).

I've been doing my research and see 3 options:

1. Geomangear replacement pack (4.5 / 5.8Ah)
Price: ($82.73 / $102.73 including shipping)
$/Ah: (18.4 / 17.7)
Pros: Probably good quality cells
Cons: Expensive, almost ridiculous

2. Dealextreme battery pack (4.4Ah *claimed*)
Price: $30
$/Ah: 6.8 (again, using claimed Ah)
Pros: least expensive
Cons: DX is well known for over-rated battery capacity claims

3. DIY
Parts:
*Trustfire "true" 2400mAh protected 18650 cells (black and red flame), (DX, $19). I have used these for a while in flashlights and am very satisfied with the quality and value of these cells (and they are true 2450mAh, the ones I've got)
*Luminous DIY 18650 holder ($18.50 shipped)
*MS connector (DX SKU 32753, $3.13)
Price: $41
$/Ah: 8.4
Pros: true 4.8-4.9Ah battery, versatility of removable cells
Cons: hassle of removable cells (separate charging)

Building the DIY pack is not a deterrent to me, I enjoy stuff like that.

Thoughts?
Those of you that have needed to continue using your light, what have you done?

Thanks!

Richard Cranium

I don't know -whatever tilts your table I guess.

I went the 6/7 AA route, but don't recommend it, I just like having one "alternative power source." This means I can go on a trip with throw away cells as an option - but again, not for regular nightly use......

Best deal is to buy new light set and make a AA cell setup, then you have redundant light heads and alternative power as well......

tligman

What's this? Could you tear apart your old magicshine battery and just replace the cells?

davidad

Hang on to the old one. Geoman is replacing them if you bought the light from him.

sac02

Yes, I do not plan to modify the original, because as you said, I want a replacement when they are available. But I need something in the time being.

seeker333

https://cgi.ebay.com/New-WATERPROOF-B...item4154fe4bce

tligman

that ebay ad is for a battery just like mine came with. I'm sort of wondering, though, how difficult it would be to rig up my own, using 8 or more of those *Trustfire "true" 2400mAh protected 18650 cells to get a much longer lived battery. I mean, my loaded commuter bike already weighs a crazy amount, what's another pound and a half to get as much light as I feel like, even for the longest ride I'd consider?