EX10 with AW LiFePO4 cells: TESTED

[Niconical]

I used a lightmeter to test the EX10 with AW LiFePO4 batteries.

I did the test twice for confirmation, but the results were near identical.

Each cell was fully charged a few days ago.
The test didn't start until after 30 seconds of runtime.
The test was done on the highest output setting.

The first sign of any dimming from the meter was at 42 minutes for both.
The battery was then immediately removed and tested.

Voltage after test 1: 2.18v
Voltage after test 2: 2.29v

The small difference there is due to the fact that I took slightly longer to get the battery to the multimeter on test 2 so it had already bounced back a little.

AW's recommended low voltage for the cells is 2.0v

2 points to note:

1: On both tests, the output stayed rock steady for the whole test, except for the last 20 seconds or so, in which it actually crept up very, very slightly in small increments, before then taking a dive. I assume that is normal as the regulator tries to squeeze out the last drops of juice.

2: I'm no expert, but I would have to say that the EX10 is very well regulated as there was very little time on the "down curve". The output level stayed exactly the same, then there was no more than 20 seconds between full output and quite dim. I couldn't see how far that would go though as the point of the test was to check the LiFePO4 voltage as dimming started.

So, EX10 and AW LiFePO4 cells.
35 minutes seems to be a safe time on high, after that, change battery.

 

[mighty82]

Just so you know. If the voltage was 2.18V when you got it out of the flashlight, it was much lower under load. Too low.

 

[Niconical]

Yes, I thought it was certainly close, but all I could do was get it to the voltmeter as fast as possible. The main point of the test was to test the battery at the first sign of dimming, as that was the test conditions used by AW for the examples he posted, and it really was at the first sign. From the first slight drop in output to being in the voltmeter was no more than about 10 seconds.

Due to a "Oops I left it on and forgot about it" incident with a previous LiFePO4 test, I dragged a battery down to less than 1.5v, the P2D it was in wasn't even putting out any noticeable light, but the battery did bounce back within a minute or so.

For this test, both cells had bounced back to around 3.0v with minutes.

Just to be safe, I'll change my recommendation in the first post to 35 minutes runtime

 

[Lite_me]

Interesting.

I have a somewhat related question. Doesn't the D10 and the EX10 have the same components? D10 is a buck/boost fer sure. So if you were to feed the EX10 somehow with a 1.5v primary or NiMh, wouldn't it light up? Just wondering if anyone knew. :shrug:

 

[rizky_p]

I like LiFePo4 because it can be charged under 30 minutes. It means 30 minutes of charging and 35 minutes of runtime. NICEEE

 

[this_is_nascar]

I used a lightmeter to test the EX10 with AW LiFePO4 batteries.

I did the test twice for confirmation, but the results were near identical.

Each cell was fully charged a few days ago.
The test didn't start until after 30 seconds of runtime.
The test was done on the highest output setting.

The first sign of any dimming from the meter was at 42 minutes for both.
The battery was then immediately removed and tested.

Voltage after test 1: 2.18v
Voltage after test 2: 2.29v

The small difference there is due to the fact that I took slightly longer to get the battery to the multimeter on test 2 so it had already bounced back a little.

AW's recommended low voltage for the cells is 2.0v

2 points to note:

1: On both tests, the output stayed rock steady for the whole test, except for the last 20 seconds or so, in which it actually crept up very, very slightly in small increments, before then taking a dive. I assume that is normal as the regulator tries to squeeze out the last drops of juice.

2: I'm no expert, but I would have to say that the EX10 is very well regulated as there was very little time on the "down curve". The output level stayed exactly the same, then there was no more than 20 seconds between full output and quite dim. I couldn't see how far that would go though as the point of the test was to check the LiFePO4 voltage as dimming started.

So, EX10 and AW LiFePO4 cells.
35 minutes seems to be a safe time on high, after that, change battery.

That's not much runtime if you ask me. With AW protected cells, I'm getting just North of 60 minutes.

 

[edc3]

I really like the LiFePo4 cells, but I was disappointed with their runtime in the EX10. I've got 4 protected AW's on the way. Just North of 60 minutes sounds just fine to me. :twothumbs

 

[jzmtl]

That's not much runtime if you ask me. With AW protected cells, I'm getting just North of 60 minutes.

It sounds about right if you consider the typical LiFePO4 have capacity of 500mah at best.