mAh Question

[The Burgh]

A noob, but a quick learner, I have a question. (Ten torches and counting.)

I thought I understood that increasing mAh battery ratings (of genuine and trustworthy maufacture) produce longer use times. Now a modder tells me that as required current levels increase into a given torch, that decreasing mAh levels are recommended.

1. Will you help answer this counterintuitive issue for me?
2. Can you provide a link to get me up the first few levels of torch electrical understanding? (Be gentle!)

Thanks Gang! I love it here on CPF!

 

[RetroTechie]

1. Will you help answer this counterintuitive issue for me?

Search this forum for "IMR" - for example thread titles only, and read through a few of those threads.

2. Can you provide a link to get me up the first few levels of torch electrical understanding? (Be gentle!)

Beginner's Guide to explain simple LED flashlight
Flashlight Electronics - Batteries Included - Threads of Interest
Easy to Understand Lumens Vs Lux Explanation
CPF Acronyms Terminology (NEWBS NOOBS Look Here!)

 

[HKJ]

I thought I understood that increasing mAh battery ratings (of genuine and trustworthy maufacture) produce longer use times. Now a modder tells me that as required current levels increase into a given torch, that decreasing mAh levels are recommended.

It is not the lower mAh that is important, but that batteries with lower mAh often is designed to deliver more current.
Some of the most powerful LiIon batteries are only 2000mAh but can deliver 30A that is more than 90 watt.
At 2900mAh you can get up to 10A

 

[inetdog]

For example, packing more electrode active surface area into the same volume can require thinner electrode material.

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