Best batteries for use in AA light? (Jetbeam CL-E v2)

[MstrHnky]

i just got my jetbeam cl-e v2 in the mail today and would like to use something other than a standard AA battery to get the most out of my new light.

what do you all recommend? eneloops, NiMh, 18650, energizer rechargeables, etc. also, what rating is safe? 2000mAh, 2400?

i don't know if 18650's can be used in this light, or if they can replace AA's in most applications, but i have two of them waiting for me at the post office from DX... the light that they were supposed to go in (aurora WF-600 Q5) is now on back order and DX refunded my money.

thanks.

 

[Gunner12]

18650s are bigger then AAs. 18650s are 18mm wide and 65mm long. An AA is about 14mm wide and 50 mm long.

I would say a decent NiMh battery would be great.

 

[IcantC]

I have been using Eneloops with no complaints so far.

 

[MstrHnky]

I have been using Eneloops with no complaints so far.

i was looking at some eneloops at amazon and might pick those up.

whatever i end up with, they have to be rechargeable. these seem to be pretty good bang for the buck.

 

[dano101]

Eneloops or standard NiMH. If your running NiMh make them good ones. Like an Energizer E2 NiMH with 2400-2500 mah

 

[LukeA]

Or Rayovac Hybrids

 

[MstrHnky]

Eneloops or standard NiMH. If your running NiMh make them good ones. Like an Energizer E2 NiMH with 2400-2500 mah

what's the difference with "good" ones and normal ones?

how about these?

 

[MstrHnky]

i'll probably head over to target or lowe's tomorrow and see if they have any rayovac or energizer NiMh 2500 mAh around. i really have no other uses for the batteries... yet. i only need two, but most of them seem to come in packs of 4.

$20 for 4 batteries and the charger sound about right?

 

[JPasquini]

i just got my jetbeam cl-e v2 in the mail today and would like to use something other than a standard AA battery to get the most out of my new light.

If you're going to use your light on an occasional basis, I would strongly recommend the Eneloop batteries ($14.96 at Circuit City brick and mortar stores, for example, for an 8-pack!). They "only" produce 2,000mAh, but their retention capacity appears to have minimal degradation during storage.

If you intend to use your light frequently, any of the 2,500+ mAh NiMH batteries will be fine. I've used Energizers and Maha in the past, and strongly prefer the Maha. The Energizers - at least their 2,500mAh version - always seem to go bad well before their prime. Oddly enough, their older versions seem fine.

 

[fishwatcher]

$20 for 4 batteries and the charger sound about right?

If you have a Costco nearby, their Eneloop pack is about $20, and you get 8 AA's, 4 AAA's, and a charger.

Seems to be one of the best deals around.

 

[JPasquini]

If you have a Costco nearby, their Eneloop pack is about $20, and you get 8 AA's, 4 AAA's, and a charger.

Seems to be one of the best deals around.

Definitely. Excellent deal on Eneloops for those near a Costco. :thumbsup:

 

[regulator]

I would look at either Eneloops or equivalent low self discharge NiMh cells. I have had several of the Energizer 2500 cells go bad without much use and will not purchase any more.

 

[MstrHnky]

Or Rayovac Hybrids

i went with the rayovac hybrids. they are only 2100mAh, but for $9.99, i got 2 AA, 2 AAA and a charger at target. i was tempted to get the energizer 2500mAh e2, but they were $18.96. i'm glad i didn't buy them now that i see some of your reviews.

anyway, for the price, the rayovac hybrids seem to be a good deal. they claim to hold there charge over time better than "the leading NiMh" brand. i guess time will tell.

ps - no costco near rochester, ny.

 

[LED_Thrift]

I've been using the Rayovac Hybrids in mine with great results. As a matter of fact, I just put a fresh one in about 10 minutes ago. I probably go through a charge every four to seven days depending upon useage. I've use regular NiMH with a higher mAh rating, but do not get noticeably better results. The only time I use a different battery is when I'm cold weather backpacking and then I use energizer lithium AAs [non-rechargable].

BTW, the Jetbeam is my EDC and I love it. It is so small for an AA light.

 

[MstrHnky]

I've been using the Rayovac Hybrids in mine with great results.

how long do these take to charge? i've had them charging for ~8 hours and the red LED's on the charger are still on. the manual says the lights shut off when they're done. i may have to exchange these for another pair if that doesn't work. that's pretty important.

 

[defloyd77]

No using 18650 batteries with this light. That charger that comes with the Hybrids is pretty much junk IMHO, but I myself use Hybrids with my V2 and am very happy with the runtime and performance.

 

[MstrHnky]

No using 18650 batteries with this light. That charger that comes with the Hybrids is pretty much junk IMHO, but I myself use Hybrids with my V2 and am very happy with the runtime and performance.

i'm not really worried about the recharge time. it comes with two AA and two AAA batteries and i only need one AA at a time. the other can stay almost fully charged for months, with only slight loss of charge every three months.

however, if the battery charging light doesn't shut off, then i have no idea of knowing when its done charging, other than guessing. "its been x amount of hours, it should be fully charged." i'd rather be sure of it.

 

[defloyd77]

i'm not really worried about the recharge time. it comes with two AA and two AAA batteries and i only need one AA at a time. the other can stay almost fully charged for months, with only slight loss of charge every three months.

however, if the battery charging light doesn't shut off, then i have no idea of knowing when its done charging, other than guessing. "its been x amount of hours, it should be fully charged." i'd rather be sure of it.

The charger's light itself is just timed, so the battery may or may not be done by the time the light goes off and the charger keeps on charging when the light is off.

 

[RecycledElectron]

I've been using Kodak Pre Charged batteries from Walmart. They're cheaper than the RayOVac at Walmart and seem to work at least as well.

Might want to pick up a LaCrosse BC-900 for charging duties. It suffices for 90% of mine, I generally just use my Maha MH-C9000 only to form new batteries, rejuvanate them and handle the overload if for some reason I need to charge a bunch of batteries. The BC-900 will take good care of the batteries that you decide to buy.

 

[Lite_me]

i'm not really worried about the recharge time. it comes with two AA and two AAA batteries and i only need one AA at a time. the other can stay almost fully charged for months, with only slight loss of charge every three months.

however, if the battery charging light doesn't shut off, then i have no idea of knowing when its done charging, other than guessing. "its been x amount of hours, it should be fully charged." i'd rather be sure of it.

MstrHnky:
The most important thing with using rechargeable batteries is the charger, not the batteries.

I would suggest you spend some time in the "Flashlight Electronics - Batteries Included" forum here. There is a wealth of expert information there you may not find anywhere else I know of. Priceless! Check it out. :thumbsup: