I hate C size Batteries

[DimBeam]

I hope you all don't pile on me but I have to confess I hate C size(Alkaline mainly) Batteries. I not sure why except perhaps I feel it is yet another Battery size to keep in stock. I always wonder why the Flashlight, Gadget, or Toy maker couldn't make do with either a D size or AA instead. I have through the years avoided any flashlight that takes C cells and am proud to say I don't have a single C cell in the house. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif BTW I am only half serious about all this.

 

[Doug S]

I with you! Same price as "D"s but half the energy. Generally higher internal resistance than even "AA" cells hence worse heavy load performance.

 

[Double_A]

I love C cells. When batteries fly off the shelves during a crisis, the only batteries that are left are C size. Perfect for MY flashlights, yes I am serious.

I like that size because most 2 or 3 or even 4 C-cell lights are a perfect length and body diameter to stick in my rear pocket, whereas you can't do that with my 4D Maglight.


GregR

 

[DimBeam]

DoubleAA...Funny but true point about C'S being left on the shelf. Hurricane warnings and they are the only Batteries left in store.

 

[Double_A]

Yep that's true. I'm not the first person to notice that and post it here.

Personally I'm waiting for one of the Electrolumens 4C tri-stars, just for all those lonely C-cells on the store shelves.

GregR

 

[jayflash]

AA's and (by far) AAA cells give the worst value unless you wait to buy them at real good sale prices. Too often they sell for only pennies below what C & D cells go for. I usually try to hold off until fresh dated AA's sell for less than 15 cents ea.

That said, I find that I'm gravitating toward 123's and probably won't buy any more C cell lights. Sometimes though, they're the right size for some applications where D's are too large - like in a radio for more audio volume with longer runtime than AA's

 

[flash....]

This is where AA 2300Nimh batts rock!! They are better equiped to handle the heavy current loads than an ALK C Cell.
They are also rechargeable... great value there!
And most battery outlets have them cheap. (battery station carries Lennmar's for $2 a piece.)
Funny thing is from the Nimh\Nicad side of the fence the AA's seem to be the best value. As you go up in rechargable size, the prices go up in a non-linear fashion. 9000mah D cells are around $10 bucks each. it seems as if you pay by the MAh figure to the tune of 1000mah = $1 dollar.. I guess this varies from state to state and outside the US. but I feel that $2 for AA's is a good price and $10 for D's is too much.... Maybe it's just me after all. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bullzeyebill]

I like C rechargeables in my 5C MagLite with 1.75mA bulbs.

Bill

 

[Big_Ed]

I think it's important to have flashlights that can take different sizes of batteries- just in case of an emergency, and only a particular size is available. That way, you have all the bases covered. I definately understand the logic of trying to standardize your flashlights that you use on a regular basis to just 1 or 2 different battery sizes. But you never know what emergencies will come your way. It's best to be ready.

 

[daloosh]

I love Cs, especially since they are the ones left on the shelves when there's bad news. More for me, and my 2-3-6C flashlights, and my radio that takes 4Cs.

In addition, my hands aren't really big, so a C-cell light is more comfortable to hold, and lighter than a corresponding D-size light.

Honestly, I don't use those lights much, but I like to know batts are readily available. Finally, I don't play baseball, so in the unlikely circumstance I were to bash someone, in self defense of course, the 6C would be useful in lieu of a bat.

daloosh

 

[Topper]

I prefer them over D's simply because of my short fat fingers, nothing about runtime or anything. Really like three AA lights.Long Kuboton with light!
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Stefan]

Probably off topic a bit, but I have a gripe with certain electronics that demand AAA batteries. I couldn't stand how something like MP3 players and PDA's would use batteries that have like the lowest energy supply available.

 

[gadget_lover]

The 4 C maglight makes a real good host for the everled. It will run (in regulation) for bettery than 24 hours and fits well in the hand.

That's my "emergency" light..... wel, one of them /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Daniel

 

[illumiGeek]

I looked into getting some NiMh C cells for my LC100 HID dive light, but the price with shipping to Hawaii made it quite expensive (Amondo wanted $26 to ship 20 batteries. Ouch!).

Locally I could only find 2200mAh capacity C cells (that's right, "C" cells, and they were NiMh too?). So I was like, WTH? I've got AA NiMh stronger than that? And then that little light bulb went on over my head.

A quick trip to the hardware store, some PVC, Duct Tape, a little elbow grease, and:

My LC100 can now run off of 2300mAh NiMh AA batteries!

True, run time is not as good as 4500mAh C cells, but I usually only need about an hour and a half of light on a typical dive, and the 2300/AA give me that with time to spare. Plus, it is much lighter weight - almost neutral under water. Start up time is a LOT faster on the rechargeables too. Now if I could just find a bracket to attach it to my camera housing...

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I LIKE C Cells...

4 of them will fit in a 3D light, 5 in a 4D etc.

A 3D M*g with 4C and Writeright is nice of beam and at least marginally brighter than stock.

 

[idleprocess]

I've seen the 2200 mAh C batteries on store shelves too, and was puzzled at first... until I compared the mass of a 2C package to a 2AA package - nearly identical!

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that a 2200 C NiMH is just a AA cell in a sleeve to increase its diameter.

 

[illumiGeek]

Yea, that's my take on it too. There are AA to C adapters available. I thought about getting some, then did the PVC thing instead.

 

[Doug S]

[ QUOTE ]
DimBeam said:
I hope you all don't pile on me but I have to confess I hate C size(Alkaline mainly) Batteries.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, DB, it looks like you and I are definitely in the minority on this matter. There appear to be passionate defenders of "C" cells.

 

[NeonLights]

FWIW I can't stand them either. I keep a few on hand for the kids' toys that require them, but I'm happy to say out of the dozens of lights I have, none are C powered. I've always hated the looks of the C Mag lites too. I've owned every size of D Mag (except 5 D) but not a single C Mag. The body just looks too skinny for the head to me. If C batts were the only thing available, I could always rig up a D to C adapter for a Maglite in a few minutes, but I'll stick with my D, AA, AAA, and 123 powered lights.

-Keith

 

[eluminator]

I gotta straighten you guys out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

You are all correct. For your typical average flashlight I wouldn't want C alkaline cells. Too expensive compared to D cells and lower capacity. Pretty stupid.

But there are some nice LED flashlights that take 3 C cells. They need 3 to supply the voltage for the LED's. The form factor for these are actually pretty good and I do believe I like them better than the 2 D cell lights. They fit in my back pocket better, for one thing.

As for the C alkalines, that's a problem unless you use NiMH. When you use NiMH, the higher initial cost per electron, watt-hour, calorie, BTU, or whatever your favorite unit of energy is, is insignificant.