A Collection Of Runtime Graphs

[Bullzeyebill]

The 6D does very well with Alkaline's and might be the choice for those who do not want to mess with NiMh's. Also, the alkaline D's will not have that dreaded self discharge rate that NiMh's have. Better to use Alkalines in the 6D than the 4D for better flat runtime, and length of runtime, of course.

Bill

 

[BigWaffles]

Could you estimate the runtime of Malkoff module in M*g 3D? I have one and your charts are pursuiding me to upgrade to the 4D Malkoff.

(The module I have is for 2-3D M*g)

etc,

I've been curious as well to see how the Malkoff performs in the smaller Mags. Gene just got those back in stock and I've got one on order. I'll test in both the 2D and 3D on alkalines and NiMHs when it gets here (hopefully 7-10 days).

The 6D does very well with Alkaline's and might be the choice for those who do not want to mess with NiMh's. Also, the alkaline D's will not have that dreaded self discharge rate that NiMh's have. Better to use Alkalines in the 6D than the 4D for better flat runtime, and length of runtime, of course.

Bill

Bullzeyebill,

I agree that the alkalines are a good option for this setup. I am currently reading up about the self-discharge on the NiMHs and am wishing someone would make a 'D' cell Eneloop but they don't seem to even be on the horizon (not sure why). I'm not ready to run parallel 'AA' Eneloops in a holder so for now I'll probably use fresh charghed NiMHs when I head out the door and have a backup set of alkalines on hand if needed.


C.P.T.

 

[BigWaffles]

For those of you interested, here is my test setup:

All measurements are taken with an Extech Datalogging Light Meter, Model 401036. It's connected to a laptop to log the data in realtime.

I made a light box constructed with instructions found on FlashlightReviews.com -http://www.flashlightreviews.com/fea...box_output.htm

The only difference in the light box was that I put my sensor and baffle on the side and the light in the end.

Here is the setup:

Pretty simple and easy to use, just start it and let it run.

Unless otherwise indicated, tests were run with the following batteries (as applicable):

Surefire CR123As
Energizer Alkaline (default)
Energizer Lithium Ultras
Titanium 12000Mah NiMHs

Some early graphs have no indication and are using Energizer Alkalines.
Tests using Energizer Alkalines should be indicated on the graphs as Alkaline.
Tests using Energizer Lithium Ultras are indicated on the graphs as Lithium.
Tests using Titanium 12000Mah NiMHs are indicated on the graphs as NiMH.

C.P.T.

 

[etc]

Awesome. I would love to see the graph of 3D Malkoff superimposed on 4D and 6D, like you did with Surefire 6P and 9P.

 

[JamisonM]

I agree that the alkalines are a good option for this setup. I am currently reading up about the self-discharge on the NiMHs and am wishing someone would make a 'D' cell Eneloop but they don't seem to even be on the horizon (not sure why). I'm not ready to run parallel 'AA' Eneloops in a holder so for now I'll probably use fresh charghed NiMHs when I head out the door and have a backup set of alkalines on hand if needed.


C.P.T.

You can buy high mAh D NiMHs. Thomas Distributing has them from two companies. Eneloops are also available in C and D sizes, but they have lower mAh then the cells from thomas distributing and they sill aren't available in the states yet.

 

[BigWaffles]

You can buy high mAh D NiMHs. Thomas Distributing has them from two companies. Eneloops are also available in C and D sizes, but they have lower mAh then the cells from thomas distributing and they sill aren't available in the states yet.

I completely missed the cells from Thomas Distributing (or haven't read that far down the battery forum yet). Does anyone have experience with the Accupower Evolution D 10000mAh batteries? 2% loss per month seems promising.

That's kind of what I meant about D sized Eneloops not being on the horizon, any rumors when they might make it over here to the states? Also, 5700mAh doesn't sound all that great.


C.P.T.

 

[etc]

I have both C and D in ACcupower Evolution but haven't ran any tests for self-discharge. Appear to be solid cells.

 

[Kestrel]

That's kind of what I meant about D sized Eneloops not being on the horizon, any rumors when they might make it over here to the states? Also, 5700mAh doesn't sound all that great.

It doesn't sound all that great to me either. The last I read, the going theory was that C eneloops were 3p AAA, while the D eneloops were 3p AA. The posted capacities apparently matched perfectly with this theory. New info might have come out more recently, but that was what I've heard about it.

 

[BigWaffles]

Ok. Finally got the Malkoff Mag 2D & 3D drop-in and here is the first run. This is a 2D Maglite with the Malkoff drop-in running on Energizer Alkalines.

Not bad, it held over 4000Lux for 31hrs :huh:. On his site Gene states that the 2D Maglite will run 3+ hours with this drop-in. Technically he is correct . Now we know the rest of the story.


C.P.T.

 

[BigWaffles]

Here is the same 2D Maglite with the Malkoff drop-in on fresh Titanium 12000MaH NiMHs.

Not bad. It held over 5000Lux for 24.5hrs. I'm liking these NiMHs more and more.


C.P.T.

 

[JamisonM]

Not bad. It held over 5000Lux for 24.5hrs. I'm liking these NiMHs more and more.


C.P.T.

Great Post BigWaffles. Yeah, NiMH are great aren't they. I don't use anything else in my good lights. I wonder what causes such a large dip at the beginning? I can understand the alkalines doing it, but the NiMH too? How do you think a 3D maglite would perform? Here's a runtime chart from an older thread. Looks like it would be the halfway point, between the 2D and 4D and up.

 

[BigWaffles]

Looks like one of my posts got dropped. Here is the comparison graph of the Alkaline and NiMH for the 2D Maglite with the Malkoff:

The scale on this one is in hours, a little more readable.

These graphs are up on the site in my sig. Enjoy.

Great Post BigWaffles. Yeah, NiMH are great aren't they. I don't use anything else in my good lights. I wonder what causes such a large dip at the beginning? I can understand the alkalines doing it, but the NiMH too? How do you think a 3D maglite would perform? Here's a runtime chart from an older thread. Looks like it would be the halfway point, between the 2D and 4D and up.

Thanks JasonM. I'm not sure about the dip, it looks like thermal regulation but the Maglite didn't even get warm at the beginning.

I have a 3D Mag on the bench right now; graphs should be up in a couple of days.


C.P.T.

 

[BigWaffles]

Ok, I just finished the runtimes for the 3D Maglite with a Malkoff drop-in. Here is a compilation of the 3D Maglite with Energizer Alkalines and Titanium 12000MaH NiMHs.

Not that impressive. I think this drop-in works better at the lower current draw in the 2D Maglite.


C.P.T.

 

[BigWaffles]

Here is a compilation of the 2D, 3D, 4D, and 6D Maglites with the Malkoff drop-in running on Energizer Alkalines.

The 2D Maglite really shows its stuff here, holding over 4000Lux for 30hrs. Not bad for some run-of-the-mill alkalines.


C.P.T.

 

[BigWaffles]

Here is a compilation of the 2D, 3D, 4D, and 6D Maglites with the Malkoff drop-in running on Titanium 12000MaH NiMHs.

Again, the 2D Maglite seems to be a "Best Value" for runtime and brightness. I'll be keeping the 6D Malkoff for around the house but I might be replacing my 3D Mag LEDs with the 2D Malkoffs. The higher current draw of the 3D Maglite seems to kill the runtime curve on the Malkoff.

All the posted graphs in this thread are up on the website in my sig. Enjoy.


C.P.T.

 

[JamisonM]

I wonder why the 3D is so much brighter than the 4D and 6D?

 

[Alan B]

I wonder why the 3D is so much brighter than the 4D and 6D?

Different regulator. Probably a boost regulator in overdrive in the 3D, and a buck regulator in the 4-6D.

 

[metlarules]

Different regulator. Probably a boost regulator in overdrive in the 3D, and a buck regulator in the 4-6D.

I fail to see how it could be a boost circuit when the batteries are putting out more than the vf of the led for most of its run.

 

[Alan B]

I fail to see how it could be a boost circuit when the batteries are putting out more than the vf of the led for most of its run.

Malkoff makes a 2-3D model and a 4-6D model. So the 2-3D model must be a boost. On 3D it is a bit overdriven so the current will be higher and the batteries consumed faster. Then it boosts on weakened cells.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

I fail to see how it could be a boost circuit when the batteries are putting out more than the vf of the led for most of its run.

The 2D and 3D circuit would be similar to the M30 circuit. With M30 highest output is with 4.2 volts or so, and lower runtime. M30 with 2XAA NiMh's has a lower output and more stable runtime.

Bill