New to Forum, LED Mag and battery questions...

[AdrianS]

Hello all!!

I have some questions that I hope do not come across as too newbie and annoying...

I own 3 full size MAGlite flashlights, my wife owns 1.
1 4D (reg bulb)
3 3D (LED w/ older LED unit)

I also own a small AA MAGlite with a bulb.

I want to use rechargeable batteries. I think it would make life easier.
I also ride ATVs a lot, and I want something rugged that I do not have to worry about messing up while riding.

My questions are :

1. Should I get a different flashlight for riding?

2. What is the best rechargeable battery solution for the MAGs?

3. Do rechargeable batteries put out as much light as the alkalines?
I read that alkaline leak easy in flashlights. Do the tenergy NiMh not leak at all? Can they take being kept in the car? My wife likes to keep hers in her car.


I currently own a Tenergy AA and AAA battery charger. I was thinking about getting some AA to D cell battery adapters. I found them in 1AA to 1D, 2AA to 1D, and 3AA to 1D adapters. Is this a good solution?

One more question...
The other day, I was using the LED 3D Mag outside. The light went dim on me. I knew the batteries shouldn't be dead. I opened it up, and on of the tops of the D batteries had popped off. The battery did not seem to be leaking anything, but the inside of the tube looks wet/greasy. No droplets or anything, but it does look like someone sprayed WD-40 in it a long time ago. Should I throw the flashlight away, or is there a way to make sure that it isn't battery acid? How do you even clean that stuff out if that is what it is?

Ok. Sorry for the long post.

Thanks,
Adrian

 

[AdrianS]

Was my post too long?
haha

 

[bfksc]

I own 3 full size MAGlite flashlights, my wife owns 1.
I also ride ATVs a lot, and I want something rugged that I do not have to worry about messing up while riding.
My questions are :
1. Should I get a different flashlight for riding?

The original MagLED had an issue where the emitter is not secured permanently on the LED module, so ATV riding may be too rough. But I don't know if they fixed the issue in later models.

2. What is the best rechargeable battery solution for the MAGs?

I think NiMH is the best for the 3D models. Li-Ion would have too high of a voltage for the module.

3. Do rechargeable batteries put out as much light as the alkalines?

Generally NiMH cells have lower internal resistance and can flow a lot of current, while alkalines tend to get hot when heavily drawn. Typical NiMH cells have more capacity than alkaline too, which means longer runtime.

I read that alkaline leak easy in flashlights. Do the tenergy NiMh not leak at all? Can they take being kept in the car? My wife likes to keep hers in her car.

NiMH do not leak. During charging they may vent to relieve pressure, but there normally don't leak. Alkalines leak when they're dead because the electrodes inside are literally eaten by the chemicals, and when there is nothing left of the electrodes the cells leak.

I currently own a Tenergy AA and AAA battery charger. I was thinking about getting some AA to D cell battery adapters. I found them in 1AA to 1D, 2AA to 1D, and 3AA to 1D adapters. Is this a good solution?

Yes and no. Using adaptors means you can just use AA cells, but they lack capacity and will not perform anywhere near as well as D cells.

The other day, I was using the LED 3D Mag outside. The light went dim on me. I knew the batteries shouldn't be dead. I opened it up, and on of the tops of the D batteries had popped off. The battery did not seem to be leaking anything, but the inside of the tube looks wet/greasy. No droplets or anything, but it does look like someone sprayed WD-40 in it a long time ago. Should I throw the flashlight away, or is there a way to make sure that it isn't battery acid? How do you even clean that stuff out if that is what it is?

That's nasty...and sounds like the cell did leak into the flashlight. If so, you need a solution to neutralize the acid like a baking soda bath, but I don't know how you can clean the inside without causing more damage. Maybe disassemble the light and wash out the tube by itself, then reassemble?

PS - :welcome: