Flashlight Suggestions

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by WillyB

...
Still love my old 3 D-Cell incandescent Maglight for spelunking.

Still love my old Justrite carbide lamp for spelunking.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

Blinded by the light! Oh, cut loose like a deuce another runner in the night.

I have often wondered what the words to that song were.........and the meaning.....

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

I've had very good luck with TENAVOLTS Lithium AA's. Rechargeable.'
Nickel Metal Hydride (Eneloops and others) seem to have a high rate of self-disharge, and haven't worked as well as I'd expected.

YMMV

My mileage definitely varied. I tried a set of 4 Tenavolts with charger, and 2 of the 4 turned out to be junk. Design-wise, they keep the voltage good and high, but they run out of juice too soon. I've sort of decided that the design is a solution in search of a problem.

[John in Santa Cruz]

My current fenix flashlight has a LiIon 14500, which is AA sized 3.6V battery, and can in a pinch run on a disposable AA. as the battery lasts for ridiculous hours at sane light levels, I only charge it a few times a year. the max 300 lumens is about 1/3rd as bright as a good motorcycle headlight, or single car high beam, which is way plenty bright enough for any use I might have.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

I've had very good luck with TENAVOLTS Lithium AA's. Rechargeable.'
Nickel Metal Hydride (Eneloops and others) seem to have a high rate of self-disharge, and haven't worked as well as I'd expected.

while thats certainly true for nicad and classic nimh, the sanyo eneloops, and other similar long retention nimh trade peak capacity for lower leakage, and still have 75-80% after a year. I totally prefer Lithium, but they are 3.6V, and don't work well with 1.2-1.6V systems (single AA/AAA lights) unless the lights regulators are specifically designed to work with either voltage.

[gbaglo]

I was prompted by this thread to check the flashlights in my vehicle. Replaced the AA batteries in my Maglite. Had to go online to find out how to replace batteries in my ATE Pro magnetic flex light ( it was dead ). Discovered it takes four LR44 button batteries. Found them online - two batteries for $14.99.

Which is why I stick to flashlights and radios that take AAs or AAAs. ATE Pro is in the recycling bin.

[John in Santa Cruz]

button batteries are a poor choice for a flashlight, unless its a really small keychain light or something.

that said, 10 LR44's for $4.17
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/.../LR44/13283200

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

button batteries are a poor choice for a flashlight, unless its a really small keychain light or something.

that said, 10 LR44's for $4.17
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/.../LR44/13283200

$4.17 in the U.S.A.

[John in Santa Cruz]

speaking of AA powered flashlights, found another good 'EDC' (Everyday carry), the Fenix E12 v2.0 which is powered by a single AA, and very pocketable. Its IP68 submersible, it has 3 levels of brightness, dim for up close work, mid level for average and high for long range. a single alkaline lasts 70 hours in dim, 30 hours in mid, and 1 hour in high (160 lumens). What I particularly like, it always starts in dim when you turn it on, then you tap the button to step dim-mid-high and back to dim.. it has a nice white light that is in an even cone without rings or hot spots, just brighter in the middle and less bright in the 'penumbra'

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

$4.17 in the U.S.A.

Land of the free and home of the sale!

USA! USA!

[HABBERDABBER]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

$4.17 in the U.S.A.

A 15 pack of LR44's at Wal-Mart (USA) is 10 bucks.

I feel your pain.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

button batteries are a poor choice for a flashlight, unless its a really small keychain light or something.

that said, 10 LR44's for $4.17
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/.../LR44/13283200

Originally Posted by gbaglo

$4.17 in the U.S.A.

Maxell 775011 LR44 Alkaline Batteries (10 Count) - $4.80 CAD, from Amazon.ca (alkaline cells)
10 x Maxell LR44 Watch Batteries, LR44 Battery - $6.47 CAD, from Walmart.ca (silver oxide cells)
(yes, Maxell, the magnetic audio cassette tape people)

... but still, I agree with John.

[gbaglo]

Thanks guys, but I already tossed that flashlight. I never actually used it. Just kept it in the glove box, and I have my Maglites, including the one on my belt.

[HABBERDABBER]

Having worked in the flashlight business, we'd get reports of flashlights blowing out and coming apart. The issues were multiple. Discharged alkaline batteries have hydrogen gas inside them from use...just like lead acid batteries. The hydrogen is flammable, and with time, will pass through all materials. (diffusion.) When turning on or off most any switch, there is a spark event. KA-BOOM. A hydrogen gas ignition. No serious injuries, but things come apart very rapidly. Reports suggested that static electricity could also be an ignition source. With watertight lights we made, we added a pellet of alumina to the interior. It is a catalyst, and reacts with the hydrogen gas to produce water, thus eliminating the hydrogen gas. The alumina is not consumed or used up. Cheap fix.
That's one pocket rocket scenario.
The other is with Maglites. If an alkaline battery leaks, the liquid electrolyte that leaks out reacts with the aluminum body of the flashlight. It is like dropping a Fizzy (remember them?) into water. OK, think Alka-Seltzer. An energetic chemical reaction. With those flashlights, it was a high internal pressure build up, not ignition, that caused explosive disassembly.
Both scenarios were pocket rockets.

Li-Ion, LED's, current advanced technology....I have no idea of their issues.

[gbaglo]

In addition to my Maglite that I've had for a couple decades, I carry road flares in my vehicle. What you you have to say about them?

[HABBERDABBER]

And what do you have to say about them?

After carrying them about for "a couple of decades", do you think they'll ignite and work, when you NEED them? Have you tried? I would, and then buy a fresh set. Live and learn.

[gbaglo]

It's the Maglite I've had for a couple decades. The road flares I bought last year.
And, I got gas a few days ago.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

And, I got gas a few days ago.

hey, I went out for Tacos the other day, too! mmMMM! Al Pastor! and love me some Quesabirria!!