4 Sevens (Lithium Primary) Moonlight Runtime Test

[Notsure Fire]

I guess that quark isn't stopping for nothing.

[Darvis]

Yeah, these things take runtime to the extreme... I was impressed when we were getting 3 and 4 hundred hour runs, but the SAFT and the 2xAA format are just unreal.

I mean, I camp a lot and lights have always been a top priority for me. (I am not a fan of fumbling around in the dark AT ALL!!!) Remembering back to the days of the old incan 2xAA lights, when I'd be at a bluegrass festival for a week, or wherever, and I'd need 10 pounds of alkalines to get through the week with 5 minutes of good light at first, then that nasty orange glow the rest of the time. Now, I can pack 2 light (2 is one and 1 is none) and not even have to worry about spare batteries.

I have not done runs on the level above moonlight yet (low) but I'll bet even that would go for most of a week and be bright as heck at night.

I'm seriously loving the compact and stealthy 1x123 model these days, I think I'm ALWAYS going to have it with me going forward. I'm making my EDC holy trinity a quadruple: HDS Clicky> L1 > Quark 1x123 > ReVo. My new travel light combo will absolutely be one, or a pair of ReVos and the Quark based on their excellent performance and weight (they a very lightweight for what they give back in runtime).

I also love the fact that I can lego the Quark as well, I've bought recessed tailcaps for my tactical heads and now have the UI I like and the abilty to ceiling bounce, or whatever. I can also bring that AA body along just in case. Quarks in the car, Quarks in the BOB, Quarks all over the dang place.

[Darvis]

It's OUT!!!

I checked at 2 pm which was exactly 48 days continuous and then at 4 pm and the Quark had gone dark...

That's it folks, calling it at 1152 hours (48 Days Continuous)

It's down to the SAFT primary now.

[wyager]

Alright! A bit behind 4Sevens' test, but very impressive still!

[vali]

What kind of batteries 4sevens used to test them?

[4sevens]

What kind of batteries 4sevens used to test them?

All tests used the same batteries that came with the light.

[scout24]

48 days is just unreal... Thanks, Darvis.

[Darvis]

All tests used the same batteries that came with the light.

Right, and in fairness, I was running Lithium primaries which we've proven will follow a much more, for lack of a better term: aggressive discharge curve than alkalines at these lower levels. You can see those results with the single AA test where we ran both battery types. The alkalines won by a wide margin.

The lights ship with alkalines and NOT the lithiums I used for this test. I expect that if I were to run this with alkalines, we would beat even these runtimes by several days, if not, a week or two.

In real world use, 5 days means nothing at these runtime numbers. Given the weight savings, storage capabilities, and overall tendency NOT to leak and ruin your light, Lithiums are the THE way to go for your BOB or extended trips without your NiMh of choice.

For me, the killer combo is the single AA with a spare 1x123 body, tactical UI and flat tail cap... run on anything from a AAA on up, super compact, lightweight... killer runtime. Sweet.

[Burgess]

I have not done runs on the level above moonlight yet (low)
but I'll bet even that would go for most of a week and be bright as heck at night.

Hi Darvis --


Thank you for your dedication and hard work, performing that Moon-mode test.





Now . . . .

Since you no longer have anything to keep yer' self occupied . . . .


How 'bout doing the above-mentioned "Low-mode" test ?




On Lithiums (L91), if you would be so kind.


Just a suggestion, of course.



_

[PoliceScannerMan]

48 days on 2xAA. Wow. Thanks for the time you put your light out of comission to do this test for us!!

So a 8 pack of L91's will last 192 days. I would say that will make it through hurricane season!!

BTW: LMAO at the term EDC Holy Trinity.

I'm with ya on that, HDS Clicky> L1 > Quark 1x123 > ReVo, great Combo. But I gotta have my M61WLL in there...

[scout24]

Just checking in to see how Amigafan's SAFT's are doing...

[fnj]

The SAFT has an almost unbelievably flat discharge curve up to nearly 98-99% of ultimate capacity at single digit ma drain; i.e., it is an almost perfectly fixed voltage source at these low drains. It will hold 3.5 v for over 700 hr at 3.6 ma or over 2100 hr at 1 ma. Then it drops almost vertically. So it would be very easy to calculate the service life if we could get a reading for the Quark current drain at a 3.5-3.6 v input.

Also, with such a supremely flat curve, it's made to order for a super simple circuit: nothing but a LED plus a fixed voltage dropping resistor. At 0.5-1 ma with a Radio Shack 276-0017, you need to drop to 2.5 v.

[Darvis]

The SAFT has an almost unbelievably flat discharge curve up to nearly 98-99% of ultimate capacity at single digit ma drain; i.e., it is an almost perfectly fixed voltage source at these low drains. It will hold 3.5 v for over 700 hr at 3.6 ma or over 2100 hr at 1 ma. Then it drops almost vertically. So it would be very easy to calculate the service life if we could get a reading for the Quark current drain at a 3.5-3.6 v input.

Also, with such a supremely flat curve, it's made to order for a super simple circuit: nothing but a LED plus a fixed voltage dropping resistor. At 0.5-1 ma with a Radio Shack 276-0017, you need to drop to 2.5 v.

Wow, so I wonder how it would do in a Peak El Capitan with a subzero head...? Wait!!!! I have a subzero eiger and the VC AA adapter. Hmmmmm... May have to order some SAFTs and run a new test. Perhaps the HDS 140E at it's lowest vs The Quark 2xAA on alkalines vs The Eiger subzero SAFT?

[scout24]

You're a patient person, Darvis...

[fnj]

Wow, so I wonder how it would do in a Peak El Capitan with a subzero head...? Wait!!!! I have a subzero eiger and the VC AA adapter. Hmmmmm... May have to order some SAFTs and run a new test. Perhaps the HDS 140E at it's lowest vs The Quark 2xAA on alkalines vs The Eiger subzero SAFT?

What is the expected current draw at the battery? Keep in mind the SAFT 14500 is limited to low current: max recommented continuous current is only 30 ma. It shines at currents even lower than that.

[bstrickler]

I'd love to get some runtime tests on the Quark line on Low, Medium, and High using Lithium/NiMh cells. I'd run it myself, but the only Quark I have now is my 123, and I use that beauty every day, so I can't really do a runtime test with it.

I'd buy more Quarks, but I don't have much money, and I'm trying to save up for a Moddoo Triple.

I say we have each person who wants the runtimes on Lithiums/Nimhs donate 50 cents to the person that will run the test, so they are compensated for their time, and cost of the battery/batteries.

~Brian

[TITANER]

I'd love to get some runtime tests on the Quark line on Low, Medium, and High using Lithium/NiMh cells. I'd run it myself, but the only Quark I have now is my 123, and I use that beauty every day, so I can't really do a runtime test with it.

I'd buy more Quarks, but I don't have much money, and I'm trying to save up for a Moddoo Triple.

I say we have each person who wants the runtimes on Lithiums/Nimhs donate 50 cents to the person that will run the test, so they are compensated for their time, and cost of the battery/batteries.

~Brian

Wow,sounds good

[wantsusa]

Look here : 4Sevens Flashlight Run Time Testimonials

As more test are done, they get updated as I find them/get told of them from CPF members.

I'd love to get some runtime tests on the Quark line on Low, Medium, and High using Lithium/NiMh cells. I'd run it myself, but the only Quark I have now is my 123, and I use that beauty every day, so I can't really do a runtime test with it.

I'd buy more Quarks, but I don't have much money, and I'm trying to save up for a Moddoo Triple.

I say we have each person who wants the runtimes on Lithiums/Nimhs donate 50 cents to the person that will run the test, so they are compensated for their time, and cost of the battery/batteries.

~Brian

[amigafan2003]

Quark AA XPE on SAFT 14500 still going strong @ 1297 hrs / 54 days.

[Darvis]

Look here : 4Sevens Flashlight Run Time Testimonials

As more test are done, they get updated as I find them/get told of them from CPF members.

Just wanted to say again what a GREAT job you've done with compiling this info, thanks!!!!

[Darvis]

Ok, Tuesday... since I have three or four quarks to play with; I'm going to kick off a low (as in not moonlight) runtime test. I'll pit my last lithium primary against the 2xAA with alkalines and a 1x123 and see what they bring. Will keep this thread going while the SAFT continues on annnddd that should round out our quark results.

[Xak]

Fantastic. I'm interested in a QAA with 14500, lithium AA, and alkaline AA on low. I'm sure your lights, batteries and time are limited, though.

[AnAppleSnail]

For me, the killer combo is the single AA with a spare 1x123 body, tactical UI and flat tail cap... run on anything from a AAA on up, super compact, lightweight... killer runtime. Sweet.

I guess what we REALLY need is a 17500 tube for the Quark. Or heck, use the 18650 one and a series of spacers and put any common cell into the light.

AA, AAA, CR123, RCR123, 18650, CR2...

...I bet a silver oxide hearing aid battery would fire up Moonlight mode for a few hours.

[yifu]

Really impressed with the runtimes. Now i just need to be stuck in a cave/mine for a couple of weeks to make use of this (not really)