C Size NiMH from Radio Shack-6 Cell ROP?

[willrx]

I have a 6 cell C Maglite and wondered how well or not the 3000mah NiMH batteries from Radio Shack are expected to perform using the Low and High Pelican bulbs? Thanks.

 

[willrx]

Anyone?

 

[bridgman]

I don't know about the High bulb but it's probably a safe bet that they would be fine with the Low bulb. I think it only draws 1.7A or so at 7.2V.

 

[NotRegulated]

I'm using these in my Mag 6C ROP. 5500 mAh. They work great with both the high and low bulbs and keep a charge for a very long time.

 

[willrx]

Thanks for the recommendations. So as long 7.2V is not exceeded I'm ok. I just wonder if I'm getting all I can out of this ROP. My 2C w/3x cr123 and 5 cell magstar bulb "seems" just as bright. Am I mistaken?

 

[RoyJ]

Thanks for the recommendations. So as long 7.2V is not exceeded I'm ok. I just wonder if I'm getting all I can out of this ROP. My 2C w/3x cr123 and 5 cell magstar bulb "seems" just as bright. Am I mistaken?

Well, a 5 cell bulb is rated at 6V, so you're grossly overdriving it @ 9V. Just 2 primaries or 3.7v li-ions should be plenty for a 5D magnum-star bulb.

Also, about those Radioshack cells, do you know if they're real C cells or sub-Cs / AAs wrapped in a C shell?

If they're regular AAs then they'll strain at the 4amp a ROP pulls. High quality sub-Cs should have no problems with 20+ amps though.

 

[willrx]

Thank you. So, basically, the 5 cell bulb will have a pretty short life-got it. The Radioshack cells appear to be real C's-but how would I be able to tell? It's the one's on their website-nothing special.

 

[Brighteyez]

If you're going to use 6 NiMH C cells in the light, the Mag-Num Star 5 cell will work fine. As a matter of fact, it works great. While, like most 5 cell bulbs, it is rated for 6V, you'll probably only shorten the life of the bulb a little bit because of the higher rate of current that is fed to the bulb. I've found that the life of the bulb is still acceptable. Besides I only pay $3 for those, compared to the $12-13 that I would pay for an SL20 lamp assembly (that will not throw as far.)

The ROP-Lo bulb is probably rated at ~7.5V and intended to be run at a nominal 9VDC. That's probably why the output is similar to the 5 cell when your running it on the nominal 7.2V output from your NiMH batteries. You'll probably find that the ROP bulb will also drain your batteries faster since they're drawing more current.

Thank you. So, basically, the 5 cell bulb will have a pretty short life-got it. The Radioshack cells appear to be real C's-but how would I be able to tell? It's the one's on their website-nothing special.

 

[willrx]

Great! That being said, will the rop-lo bulb run with 6 alkaline batteries?

 

[Brighteyez]

Most likely. It should be able to deliver enough current for the low bulb. It won't be as bright consistently, but it should be brighter than the 5 cell bulb when the alkaline batteries are fresh.

I'd be more inclined to stick with the 6 NiMH cells and the 5 cell bulb myself.

Great! That being said, will the rop-lo bulb run with 6 alkaline batteries?

 

[willrx]

Thank you Sir.