Current Arc AAA brightness/runtime compared to pas

[Dave Wright]

How do current Arc AAAs compare to older ones? Mine runs longer/dimmer and less regulated than I would like. It runs much like this chart:

http://thelightsite.cruxial.com/reviews/runtimes_archive/arcaaa-a.jpg

Unfortunately, I can't remember exactly when I got mine. It's somewhere between 1 and 2 years old. I got it sometime after the crimping problem was solved, because it was a replacement by Arc for one that had that problem.

If current ones run brighter/shorter and with better regulation then I'm in the market. thelightsite also has a review of the AAA, in which they list 5 hour runtime. That's more like it. Maybe their graph is old.

I would like response from anyone on this board, but especially official word from Peter if the circuitry design or output has changed.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Lebkuecher]

Another good question is will a 1.2-volt rechargeable be as bright as a 1.5 volt Duracell AA.

 

[Gransee]

Dave, the circuit has been redesigned earlier this year but the effect on run time and brightness is negligible- 2-3%.

The run time graphs should look essentially the same.

Lebkuecher, in the Arc-AAA, the 1.2volt cell will be slightly dimmer than the 1.5volt cell. This is because the Arc-AAA has partial regulation, not full regulation. Partial regulation makes the light brighter than full regulation for short to medium tasks.

Peter

 

[PeterB]

Peter, can you explain a little bit about the concept of partial regulation?
I've observed on my AAA's, that the current is reduced for lower voltages. But I've expected from a regulation (and also from a partial regulation) that the current increases for lower voltages to get almost constant power.

best regards,

Peter

 

[Gransee]

Sure! I wrote a long piece about this..

Peter

 

[shrap]

Re: Current Arc AAA brightness/runtime compared to

Back to the original question -

I just recieved a new Arc AAA, with natural HA anodizing and chemkote interior. My old AAA is one of the older ones, with its black anodizing mostly worn off. It does have an oring, so according to the faq it's not the first ones.

The newer Arc is significantly brighter than my first one. Brighter hotspot, brighter corona, bit more blue tint. I switched batteries to the same effect. I'm very impressed with the newest Arc AAA - too bad I don't see any reason to get another one, since they'll last forever.