Brightest Lantern?

[Poppy]

I think the higher output lanterns use 8D with lower output using 4D cells.

I believe that the coleman uses only four, but it would certainly make sense to use 8! That way there would be less drain on each, and the output would be brighter much longer.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

Alka-leaks will give you great runtime at low currents, but when hit hard, they can't supply high current nearly as well as NiMh, NiCd, or any of the flavors of lithium-ion cells.

What is your application?

Backyard barbecue?
Camping?
Blackout?
End-of-the-world-as-we-know-it?
Just for fun?
All of the above?

 

[recDNA]

My Coleman has a rechargeable sealed lead acid battery. I use them mostly during blackouts and I seldom go to highest output. I just like the option should I need to work on something requiring bright light.

 

[Poppy]

My Coleman has a rechargeable sealed lead acid battery. I use them mostly during blackouts and I seldom go to highest output. I just like the option should I need to work on something requiring bright light.

I have a number of those 4.5Ah 6V batteries. I top them off every now and then, probably 3-4 times a year. People have problems with them if they put them away and forget about them.

 

[recDNA]

I have a number of those 4.5Ah 6V batteries. I top them off every now and then, probably 3-4 times a year. People have problems with them if they put them away and forget about them.

Problems? Do they leak? Explode? Go dead and become impossible to charge? What?

 

[Poppy]

Problems? Do they leak? Explode? Go dead and become impossible to charge? What?

They slowly discharge, then go dead, and lose the ability to hold a charge.

Richwouldn't did a little research and wrote more about it here:
start at post #17, then skip ahead to post #31.

I bought a Northwest Territory spiral florescent lantern with a 6V SLA battery in it, and it was fine, but MANY returned their's because the battery didn't hold a charge. They went dead on the shelf. IIRC they should be recharged at least every six months.

 

[recDNA]

thanks! Sounds like I should have bought 4 x NiMH D and a charger instead of battery pack.

Now that I checked what 4 NiMH batteries and a Maha 808 costs I know I made the right decision. $150 for batteries and a charger? Nuts. I'd rather buy a new lantern every few years.

 

[Poppy]

thanks! Sounds like I should have bought 4 x NiMH D and a charger instead of battery pack.

Now that I checked what 4 NiMH batteries and a Maha 808 costs I know I made the right decision. $150 for batteries and a charger? Nuts. I'd rather buy a new lantern every few years.

I believe that the Maha is the top of the line and is about $100 or so. You can get Tenergy D NiMH for about $8 each, and a much less expensive charger.

Battery junction currently has a Tenergy combo of 8 D cells with a four bay charger for $41 incl shipping. EDIT... Yeah... that must have been a miss-print that they corrected. The charger is $29 with free shipping.

 

[recDNA]

I believe that the Maha is the top of the line and is about $100 or so. You can get Tenergy D NiMH for about $8 each, and a much less expensive charger.

Battery junction currently has a Tenergy combo of 8 D cells with a four bay charger for $41 incl shipping. EDIT... Yeah... that must have been a miss-print that they corrected. The charger is $29 with free shipping.

Too bad. I'd be all over that. I don't need to pay an extra $70 for a faster charge. I don't care if it takes 24 hours as long as it is safe.

 

[tritan]

look at the new stream light seige. 1000 lumens.

 

[CLHC]

I know it's "date[d]" thread but, how about the UST 60-Day Duro Titanium LED Lantern (claimed 1200 Lumens)?