4Sevens Quark AA Comparison Review

[pobox1475]

^ Wish I had known, sorry

[icharry]

Ok - total noob - so plz be kind. I just (like 2 hours ago) got my first real flashlight, a Quark AA... wow is it bright & small. I can easily see the flashaholic thing affecting me.

Anyway, on with my noob question. I see people talking about getting even more lumens by using a 14500 battery. Is that like this - Energizer® Ultimate Lithium Batteries? Or would these at least give more light then the regular copper-top that the Quark shipped with?

Thanks!

[HKJ]

Originally Posted by icharry

Anyway, on with my noob question. I see people talking about getting even more lumens by using a 14500 battery. Is that like this - Energizer® Ultimate Lithium Batteries? Or would these at least give more light then the regular copper-top that the Quark shipped with?

They are not, the 14500 batteries are LiIon, they are marked with 3.7 volt (sometimes 3.6) and has up to 4.2 volt of the charger. Put them into equipment not designed for them and it might blow up.
They requires a special LiIon charger.

Some light will (nearly) double their output with these batteries, including Quark.

[Sarlix]

Originally Posted by HKJ

They are not, the 14500 batteries are LiIon, they are marked with 3.7 volt (sometimes 3.6) and has up to 4.2 volt of the charger. Put them into equipment not designed for them and it might blow up.
They requires a special LiIon charger.

Some light will (nearly) double their output with these batteries, including Quark.

You say they need a special charger, what would happen if you put a protected 14500 into a regular AA charger?. Would it just eventually reduce the life of the battery, or would it be more serious than that, as-in possible explosion?.

I ask because I was going to buy a 14500 today, but because I only want one and will only use it occasionally I don't really want to splash out on a special charger for it.

[HKJ]

Originally Posted by Sarlix

You say they need a special charger, what would happen if you put a protected 14500 into a regular AA charger?. Would it just eventually reduce the life of the battery, or would it be more serious than that, as-in possible explosion?.

I ask because I was going to buy a 14500 today, but because I only want one and will only use it occasionally I don't really want to splash out on a special charger for it.

It will not work, a NiMH charger is for 1.2 volt batteries, it might be damaged and the battery might also be damaged, because it will not be charged, but discharged (A protected battery might be able to handle that).

LiIon chargers are not that expensive.

[pobox1475]

because I only want one and will only use it occasionally I don't really want to splash out on a special charger for it.

I am assuming this is not an EDC light? Li-Ion's main advantages are that they do not LSD and can be topped off often so you almost always have a full charge available IMHO. In a light that is not utilized frequently Eneloops may be the better choice.

[UnknownVT]

Originally Posted by icharry

I see people talking about getting even more lumens by using a 14500 battery.

The 14500 is a rechargeable Li-Ion battery of nominal 3.6-3.7V, these require a charger specifically for Li-Ion's.

14500 are fine in the Quark AA - as the Quarks are actually specifically designed for them - using a buck/boost circuit.

14500 will give quite noticeable higher brightness on Max (only).

Comparison on Li-Ion and Quark 123's min and Max levels - Post #62

If the light is to used frequently with 14500 - then the general advice is to use Protected batteries of good repute and a reputable charger (most are not expensive).

But a word of caution - Li-Ion can be potentially dangerous if not treated and used properly - please see:

Using Li-ion cells in LED flashlights safely

[icharry]

Cool thanks for the replies....

I see there are a few non-recharge 14500's out there. I'd like to buy 1 to see if its worth it / if I need / want that much more light. I went to RadioShack they had one for $16 !!! If I get into it, then maybe I'll $pend for a recharge system.

Is there a recommended brand to buy for cheaper? Place to buy from? Are you allowed to post links to vendors?

Uggg I am already a flashaholic... yesterday the boards were down & I was bummed, and I am already excited for 4Sevens Thursday....

Thanks again.

[HKJ]

Originally Posted by icharry

I see there are a few non-recharge 14500's out there. I'd like to buy 1 to see if its worth it / if I need / want that much more light. I went to RadioShack they had one for $16 !!! If I get into it, then maybe I'll $pend for a recharge system.

You could call any AA battery 14500, but around here we only use than name for LiIon batteries and they are always rechargeable.
A lithium AA battery is not the same, it is around 1.5 volt like other AA batteries, not the 3.7 volt of LiIon.

Originally Posted by icharry

Is there a recommended brand to buy for cheaper? Place to buy from? Are you allowed to post links to vendors?

The favorite dealer with LiIon and charger is AW, but you pay for the reliability and safety. Another much cheaper place is DX, but you also get lower quality and much longer delivery times.

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

A word or several here....

When it comes to 14500 (AA Size) 17500, 17670 and 18650 I find Trustfire & Ultrafire batteries from DX to be good enough.Even the 16340 (123 size) seem to be ok.

The little 10440 (AAA Size) do not have the oomph for all aaa applications.

Lighthound in Pearland, TX also carries AW cells and I plan to get some good 10440s there.

[icharry]

[QUOTE=HKJ;3165044]You could call any AA battery 14500, but around here we only use than name for LiIon batteries and they are always rechargeable.
A lithium AA battery is not the same, it is around 1.5 volt like other AA batteries, not the 3.7 volt of LiIon.


But this is 3.6V and says non-recharge - would this be what I want to use to test the higher light level of my new quark without buying a whole system?

Is this a good brand?

FORGOT TO ADD LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Saft-LS-14500-.../dp/B002GK406C

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I suspect the Rat Shak cell is not made for high current use.

I've no way to say yes or no.

[HKJ]

Originally Posted by icharry

But this is 3.6V and says non-recharge - would this be what I want to use to test the higher light level of my new quark without buying a whole system?

I do not known what battery Radio Shack has, can it supply at least 2.4 volt at 2.3 amp. current? That is what Quark requires to reach maximum brightness.

[UnknownVT]

Originally Posted by icharry

But this is 3.6V and says non-recharge - would this be what I want to use to test the higher light level of my new quark without buying a whole system?
Is this a good brand?
FORGOT TO ADD LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Saft-LS-14500-.../dp/B002GK406C

The primary or Non-rechargeable 14500 apparently are not designed for high current usage - actually came up earlier in this thread -
please see Posts #165, #166, #168

[KiwiMark]

[QUOTE=icharry;3165102]

Originally Posted by HKJ

LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Saft-LS-14500-.../dp/B002GK406C

From link:
"This is not a high drain battery, please don't use it for the applications with discharging current > 200 mA!"

From a google of Saft LS14500:

Saft LS14500 primary lithium cell, is based on the Lithium-Thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) chemistry.

and

The LS14500 cell is designed specifically for long-term (3 to 15 years) applications, featuring a few UA based currents and periodic pulses, typically in the 5-150 mA range.

and

Main Applications:
• Memory back-up
• Real-time clocks
• Utility metering
• Automated meter reading
• Wireless alarms and Security devices
• Emergency locations transmitters beacon
• Electronic toll collection
• Professional electronics

It doesn't strike me as something suitable for powering a Quark light and to be honest I would be a little careful about ignoring warnings when using any Lithium based battery. Lithium has the potential to be dangerous - use with care. Lithium Ion is not AS dangerous, but still use care.

[icharry]

Thanks... bummer... unless somewhere there is a high drain one of these. Guess I'll stick with the regular old AA's till then.

[pobox1475]

^ Why not Eneloops?

Welcome to CPF...

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Originally Posted by pobox1475

^ Why not Eneloops?

Welcome to CPF...

Or Rayovac Hybrids, or Uniross Hybrios, or Kodak Precharged or Duracell "duraloops"