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Flashlight Accessories

Torch Batteries, Chargers and Mounts in South Africa

A high output torch is only as good as the cell in it, and most of what goes wrong with rechargeable lights is battery related rather than the light failing. This collection covers lithium cells, chargers, weapon mounts and accessories. NeonSales stocks 69 products here, from R30 for a 14500 cell up to R549 for a light and laser combo.

What this collection covers

  • Lithium cells: 14500, 18650 and 26650 in various capacities, including Nitecore NL1835 and NI14500A
  • Chargers: Nitecore UI1 single slot with cable
  • Weapon mounts: UTG tactical offset mount, barrel mounts for 1 inch bodies, scope mount clamps
  • Combos: Picatinny mounted light and laser units
  • Compact lights: keychain LEDs, solar sensor wall lights
  • Chemical light: Cyalume Snaplights in several colours

Which cell does your torch take?

Format Size Typical capacity here
14500 14mm x 50mm, AA sized 850 to 1900mAh
18650 18mm x 65mm 3500mAh
26650 26mm x 65mm Up to 8800mAh

The numbers are the physical dimensions in millimetres, so a 14500 is 14mm across and 50mm long. Cells are not interchangeable between formats, and a 14500 is the same size as an AA but is a 3.7V lithium cell rather than a 1.5V alkaline. Putting one in a device expecting AA will damage it.

Use a proper charger

Lithium cells are not AA batteries. A dedicated charger monitors each cell individually, stops at the right voltage and detects a faulty cell, which a generic charger does not. Charging outside the torch also lets you rotate a charged spare in rather than waiting, which on a long night is the difference between continuing and stopping.

Mounting a light on a rifle

Three approaches are stocked. A barrel mount clamps directly to the barrel and suits a plain rifle with no rail. A scope mount clamp attaches to the scope tube, which keeps the light aligned with your sight picture. An offset mount such as the UTG puts the light to the side on a Picatinny rail, which keeps it out of the way of your optic and your hand. Choose based on what your rifle already has rather than on the mount alone.

Common questions

Are protected or unprotected cells better? Protected cells include a circuit that guards against over-discharge and short circuit. Use whatever the torch specifies, since some lights require protected cells and others do not fit them.

Why keep glow sticks alongside torches? A Snaplight has no battery to go flat in storage, cannot spark near fuel vapour, works underwater and is hands free once placed. It does a job a torch does not.

Will a light and laser combo hold zero? On a solid Picatinny mount, generally yes. Check the mount is tightened properly and re-check after the first session.

Can I charge 14500 and 18650 on the same charger? Most multi-format chargers handle both. Check the specification of the charger rather than assuming.

Related: Torches and Flashlights · Handheld Flashlights · Nitecore · Ledlenser · Fenix · Cyalume · Gamepro Spotlights