Malkoff MDC AA using 2.4vdc battery

The Malkoff MDC AA low is really low. Perhaps a bit too low for my typical use. I absolutely like the medium and high, plus the fact that it throws better than any AA I am aware of. Still, I wasn't thrilled with the sub-lumen low. However, I recently stumbled on an easy fix that boosts the low more to a level of my liking.
I am operating it using the 2.4vdc 14500 that Olight sells for the i5r light. Using that battery, the MDC AA low is significantly higher (best guess between 1-2 lumens) and suits my needs much better. With that battery, the MDC AA is certainly in contention as one of the best outdoor EDC AAs.

Your using 2.4 volts with the light?

That's what the OP said.

Well yes it would be brighter but your using twice the rated voltage correct?

thermal guy said:

Well yes it would be brighter but your using twice the rated voltage correct?

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Actually,
Per the website, recommended is 1.0-2.0 volts (right off the light) with possible erratic behavior above that and possible damage above 3.0 volts. 2.4 is safe and I have not seen any erratic behavior. I also use the single AA head with my double AA tube with two NimH, with similar results.

Right 0.8 to 1.7 volts is the range. so guess your ok with 2.4 if it's not acting all crazy.

Yes, having great results at this voltage. Surprisingly, while the website says 0.8 to 1.7 volts, the imprint on the flashlight head says 1-2 volts and the website says voltages above 3.3 will damage the head. 2.4 is well below that, so guess I ma good to go unless it starts acting erratically. If it ever does, will post that here.

Nice find.

Msf said:

Yes, having great results at this voltage. Surprisingly, while the website says 0.8 to 1.7 volts, the imprint on the flashlight head says 1-2 volts and the website says voltages above 3.3 will damage the head. 2.4 is well below that, so guess I ma good to go unless it starts acting erratically. If it ever does, will post that here.
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Took a while to get these batteries but I like them, thanks! Gives a little boost to the lowlow and low settings which I like a lot in the dark with an aa, but are a little weak with any background light. According to website, they shouldn't cause any damage but only time will tell. Have an older mdc aa marked 1-3v so I guess it would be definitely ok in that, but currently have the 2.4v in a newer 1-2v sst-20 neutral. This battery would also work as a slightly lower output for 3v mdc heads. I'm going to test it in an M30 and an mdc SHO.

ledbetter said:

Took a while to get these batteries but I like them, thanks! Gives a little boost to the lowlow and low settings which I like a lot in the dark with an aa, but are a little weak with any background light. According to website, they shouldn't cause any damage but only time will tell. Have an older mdc aa marked 1-3v so I guess it would be definitely ok in that, but currently have the 2.4v in a newer 1-2v sst-20 neutral. This battery would also work as a slightly lower output for 3v mdc heads. I'm going to test it in an M30 and an mdc SHO.

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Please post your results when you have them. The ability to Lego different batteries with Malkoff heads to tweak output and runtime to specific desires and uses is one of the things I like most about Malkoff.

The 2.4v also works well with the Peak aa lights

The solution you are looking for is called Malkoff MDC 2AA

Low is always 3 lumens.
I thought about the 1xAA MDC until I realized the sub-lumen moonlight mode is useless. For my purposes. Unless you get stuck in a collapsed mine and need runtime for 1000 hours.

I think 0.3 lumens with dark adapted eyes is sometimes too much. However, during the day that isn't the case.

That is why I got the 4000K AA and the more powerful and different power source 3.6 to 6 volt 4000K head with a 16650 body. So with the 2 lights I have 0.3 to 375 lumens covered at 4000K 95CRI using SST-20s

Sounds like you guys need some kind of a QTC light. Lowest low you can get and Full-bore when you need it.

thermal guy said:

Sounds like you guys need some kind of a QTC light. Lowest low you can get and Full-bore when you need it.

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I usually only like full bore. Most of my lights only have one mode. I would have just bought a 4000K SHO if it was available. I did want a AA light though because of the current state of the world and for my overseas traveling, but instead of the 4000K MDC head with 16650 body I would rather have a SHO.

Msf said:

Yes, having great results at this voltage. Surprisingly, while the website says 0.8 to 1.7 volts, the imprint on the flashlight head says 1-2 volts and the website says voltages above 3.3 will damage the head. 2.4 is well below that, so guess I ma good to go unless it starts acting erratically. If it ever does, will post that here.
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Do you have any way to measure output at the different levels with your 1-2v head running on 2xaa? I'm curious about buying one MDC head that i can use on AA and 2xaa. Also curious to know the outputs of the 2-3.2v head on a single AA.

Unfortunately, I don't have instruments to quantify output. My observations are based on qualitative comparisons between two different lights placed alongside each other, or illuminating a known object at a known distance with a single light in different configurations.