17W cheap ebay bike/flashlights - for real?

[konadawg]

OK Admin hope this gets OK'd ;-)

Found a handlebar mount light on ebay, claimed 17W, takes 3x AAA batteries. Cheap...

What's the verdict?

 

[znomit]

Most of my night rides are longer than the 10 minute runtime this thing would have.

 

[konadawg]

Well that's what I'm thinking too - but is the output realistic? The cost is sub-10 US , is that a factor? Im a total noob about this stuff.

I would consider drilling the body and adding an external battery pack if the output is good, but I have no idea whether "17W" is meaningful or a total load of BS.

I just bought my first LED flashlight, a cr123a powered claimed 3 watt mini which I strapped to my helmet, it is just about usable in total darkness and reckon that two-of will be fine, albeit this time I will look out for aaa power due to the cost of the cr123a!

So I'm jsut looking around and came across this 17w thing and am wondering if anyone knowledgeable can fill in.

Thanks again:thumbsup:

 

[Whitedog1]

Link?:thinking:

 

[konadawg]

Here it is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bike-Bicycle-Fr...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563458d44a

I tried googling "17w led" for info but really there is close to nothing except other auction listings!

 

[Whitedog1]

17W in such a small form factor is ipossible! It will overheat as quick as you put it "on"!

on the other hand: with 3 AAA batteries you will get a runtime of 1,2V * 1000mAh = 1.2W /17W = 4,2min

Will be a very short ride :candle:

Probably it can be used as a search backup light to find the way home....

 

[konadawg]

Hmmmm... it gets worse, how about 27W...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bike-Bicycle-He...Sport_Cycling_Accessories?hash=item414a12ce5f

So, what gives? Claimed output just BS?

I am reasonably happy with my 3w ebay purchase but alone that is not enough so either another one or something brighter.

Any tips on how to get through the BS and find something cheap and bright?

I only very occasionally ride at night so not prepared to spend any real money.

 

[yellow]

just BS.

yes!

... 3*AAA ... forget such a light
... plastic housing ... forget such a light
... overrated Watt claims that are 10 times higher than possible with a normal led ... forget such a light

 

[Wattnot]

Yeah . . . they forgot the decimal, that's all. 1.7W and 2.7W I don't even believe THOSE numbers.

 

[TorchBoy]

on the other hand: with 3 AAA batteries you will get a runtime of 1,2V * 1000mAh = 1.2W /17W = 4,2min

SilverFox's testing leads me to believe that even the best AAA NiMH cell under a load of 4.7 amps will have a maximum capacity of around 300 mAh - if it doesn't fall flat on its face like most will. Average voltage would be ~0.92 V.

0.92 V * 0.3 mAh = 0.276 Wh.
0.276 Wh / 17 W = 0.016 h = 0.97 minutes = 58 seconds.

 

[ncaudio]

17W is totally for real, it's a "model number" only, 17W doesn't mean 17 Watts, it means we want you to send us money for a cheap light that some people think has 17 Watts of output and runs for a long time on 3 AAA batteries. Of course it doesn't have 17 watts of output and they don't say it does.

 

[tay]

Well, it includes "Somy" batteries, so they will last a very long time.

 

[znomit]

17W is totally for real, it's a "model number" only, 17W doesn't mean 17 Watts, it means we want you to send us money for a cheap light that some people think has 17 Watts of output and runs for a long time on 3 AAA batteries. Of course it doesn't have 17 watts of output and they don't say it does.

Well, in the specs it says:

• High intensity and High power 17W LED

Over here we see a model name H128R too.

 

[konadawg]

I actually played stoopid and asked the vendors what the 17w/27w respectively meant ;-)

They both claimed it was the power output!! :shakehead

 

[herulach]

So if you've not got the idea by now, it's a pile of junk

For marginally more money you can pick up a decent (albeit very spotty - best suitable for use as a headtorch) light from dealextreme. Romisen RC-G2. All in with this bar mount or this helmet mount. will set you back only an extra 5 dollars, runs for about 2 hours on a decent AA rechargeable, and is easily upgradeable when you get the bug