Can I use 5 AA's to run a standard 4D 3w mag led?

[Jash]

Hi there folks,
Can I use 5 AA's to run a standard 4D 3w mag led? Will the extra voltage cook it? And, do Nimh batteries give a more constant output to an unregulated light? Specifically eneloops.

 

[Light Sabre]

Re: Battery question.

And, do Nimh batteries give a more constant output to an unregulated light?QUOTE]

Yes. Lithium primaries will too, but the light has to be able to take the extra voltage. Straight out of the package, lithiums can be as high as 1.8 volts.

 

[march.brown]

Re: Battery question.

Hi there folks,
Can I use 5 AA's to run a standard 4D 3w mag led? Will the extra voltage cook it? And, do Nimh batteries give a more constant output to an unregulated light? Specifically eneloops.

Four Alkaline D cells are 4 X 1.5 Volts ... So the total is Six Volts.

The NiMh cells are 5 X 1.2 Volts ... So that also equals six volts.

Five Alkaline cells would give 5 X 1.5 Volts ... So the total would be 7.5 Volts which would probably be a bit too much for your bulb/LED to handle.

Other more experienced CPF posters will be able to help you here better than myself (a new user).
.

 

[T0RN4D0]

Re: Battery question.

Actually nimhs out of the charger are more like 1.4V, but their voltage does lower under load... I don't know how mags are regulated, but my guess is that they use the same drivers for bigged bodies too, so 5AAs wouldn't cook it.

But i must say i dont get peopel fitting AAs into D bodies... why don't just buy an AA light if you can afford D cells? If you want longer runtime, youre gonna need proper cells, if you want some heft in your light, again. The only advantage i see in having a big body with smaller cells in it is that its harder to misplace then normal lights.

 

[Jash]

Re: Battery question.

The 4D mag is for my wife. She didn't want the weight of the D's but likes having a big light to grab onto if she needs it. I had some AA to C cell converters and five fit just right with the spring turned around. Drops weight by 360 grams.

 

[rebelbayou]

Re: Battery question.

Not sure if this will help you any but I am running 6 AAA NiMH in a 2 C-cell mag with a 3 cell Mag LED and have not had any problems. Not sure about run time but it seems to be at least an hour to hour and a half, maybe more.