14500 = less runtime?

[WilsonCQB1911]

I always expected that the Li-ion batteries would give you greater runtime. But in the AA lights that take them it seems you can expect less runtime from the 14500. Sure you get a bit more output, but it doesn't seem THAT much more. NiMH provides significant increase in runtime. What's the deal?

 

[VidPro]

Just like you said, the output is usually higher. Many of the lights that will "take" a 14500 push the led harder, and at any level when it is PWM type.

When it comes to total power, the watts total of a good 14500 are not that much greater than a 2000mAh rechargable. many of them are marked with capacity they dont have, or dont have for very long time of use.

It takes quite a bit more power to get a LED to be lots brighter to the human eyes. so while it might not seem that much brighter depending on the light and the battery, it can drive the LED at 2+ times the power, at least for a while when the voltage of the li-ion is high.

IN boost type lights , ya use a li-ion to get wow output, and (again) depending on the light you get it.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I always expected that the Li-ion batteries would give you greater runtime. But in the AA lights that take them it seems you can expect less runtime from the 14500. Sure you get a bit more output, but it doesn't seem THAT much more. NiMH provides significant increase in runtime. What's the deal?

No, capacity is less, voltage is higher for the Li-Ion 14500s. The best of the best...the Sanyo 840mAh cell is probably closer to 700+ mAh, so a lot less than the 200mAh Eneloops.

My Xeno EO3 is a lot brighter (400LM vs. 110LM) using a 14500 Sanyo, but runtimes are about 1/2 to 1/3 that of my NiMH cells.

Chris

 

[HKJ]

No, capacity is less, voltage is higher for the Li-Ion 14500s. The best of the best...the Sanyo 840mAh cell is probably closer to 700+ mAh, so a lot less than the 200mAh Eneloops.

Capacity might be less, but energy is about the same. Due to the voltage different the capacity difference can be about 3 times, for the same energy, i.e. a 800mAh LiIon has about the same energy as a 2400 mAh AA.

Usual a light using a single LiIon cell will have higher efficiency than a light using a single AA cell, i.e. more of the used energy goes to the led, this gives LiIon an advantage.

But as other people writes: most lights get considerable brighter on LiIon and this can easily double power consumption (Eyes are very bad at judging brightness).