Please need advice, 9 led flashlight w/ AAA lithium ok?

[dealgrabber2002]

Hello, new to the forum..

I just bought 4 of those 9 led flashlight from some dude that walk in and say "i have a great deal for you!!!"... not really...bought 4, 1 died..1 still working...2 had 2 burnt led..sigh..but what can you say for buying like $10 for 4...

Enough with with my life story... These flashlights uses AAA battery, I was wondering can I use LITHIUM AAA battery with it, will it explode? burn more LED? Please advice, thank you..

-E
"$65 for surefire G2L?!! WTF!!! So damn expensive!!! give me one please..."

 

[LEDninja]

The leds in a lot of those flashlights burn out 1 by 1 even when used with alkalines or NiMH batteries. Lithiums will burn the leds out faster. Not to mention the batteries will cost more than the flashlight! Bad idea.

 

[mmmflashlights]

They have slightly higher voltage, so they should drive the light harder, meaning a slightly brighter light but they'll burn out the LEDs sooner as they're probably already being driven with more current than they are intended to be with even alkalines. Think of it as putting a Ferrari engine in a Yugo, you should save good batteries like Lithiums for a better application.

If you want a decent light for cheap, take a look at Dealextreme.com or Kaidomain.com (maybe you are already familiar with better LED lights, if so then just ignore ). Multi-LED lights made up of 5mm clusters like what you have are more of a gimmick. Take a look at a light using a high power LED like a Cree LED for better efficiency, nicer beam, brighter, longer life, etc. Here is one example that would put to shame lights like those that you have - http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3609

 

[dealgrabber2002]

I thought the burnt led was due to bad soldering?... I read somewhere stating as long as it's 1.5 volt, it won't damage the led... is that true?

-E

 

[mmmflashlights]

I thought the burnt led was due to bad soldering?... I read somewhere stating as long as it's 1.5 volt, it won't damage the led... is that true?

-E

Soldering could be an issue, though it's probably more a matter of very cheap LEDs combined with them being directly driven with no regulation or resistor to protect the LEDs from too much voltage - they are probably just literally burning up from too much current and heat going through them. These lights that you have, I assume that they are being powered by 3 AAAs? Even though alkaline cells will have their voltage drop (sag) somewhat in use, they will still be providing more voltage and current to the LEDs than they are intended for (unless they have a resistor or circuit in the light). Most 5mm white LEDs are designed to be driven around 3.3-3.7V and current to the LEDs will increase as voltage increases, unless there is a circuit or resistor to lower it.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

when i took the battery out, i did see there is a circuit board inside. does that mean it can regulate the voltage? thanks again mmmflashlight.

-E

 

[mmmflashlights]

Did you actually see any components on the board? It could just be a bare circuit board with a contact on it, many cheap lights that I have seen have a board but nothing is actually on them other than a contact for the batteries. For a light like this, I doubt they have any actual circuit, maybe a resistor if anything (a resistor will drop the voltage some but isn't much of a solution).

These do take 3 AAA cells, not 1, right?

 

[dealgrabber2002]

yes, it takes 3... they are these right here...

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-20-9-LED...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

 

[mmmflashlights]

I have a couple of these, machining is a little different but they're basically the same lights. None of mine even have a resistor that I can recall, I doubt those that you have anything and they're probably just being directly driven from the batteries. These lights are ok for around the house but they are not a very practical light. 3 AAA cells have about the same capacity as 1 AA, they use low quality and not very efficient LEDs, have no regulation, etc. A better light would be something like I linked about that uses a very efficient Cree and has a basic circuit for regulation, or even a cheap 1 AA light using a high power generic LED like this - http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5384 They will be brighter, more compact, runtime will be usually be longer, will use 1 AA instead of wasting 3 AAAs, etc.

 

[LED_Thrift]

If some of the LEDs are burnt out already, the remaining working LEDs may be now getting more current to them than originally designed. Using slightly higher voltage batteries like lithiums would probably burn out the remaining leds faster.

I second the opinion of mmmflashlights to save your money and not use lithium batteries in this light.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

thanks mmmflashlight...

Do all cree led be able to use regular AA/AAA and if I want to change to lithium AA/AAA? or the led must be special to change from regular to lithium?

-E

 

[LEDninja]

You should be able to use Energizer e2 L91/L92 1.7 volt lithium cells in 1AA, 2AA, 1AAA, 2AAA led torches. In 3 cell lights if the light has a buck regulator yes, if dropping resistor or direct drive no.
You usually can not use a 3.6 volt lithium ion unless the flashlight specs say you can ("can be used with 14500/10440").

 

[Elliot]

I bought the EXACT same 3xaaa light as yours at a gun show for kicks. I think I paid $3. Even working fine the light wasn't worth the 60 cents of Walgreen's batteries. I do like multi-LED lights for certain applications. If you still want a similar light you won't find a better value at DX than this: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1255

I splurged on the 2-pack; $5.23 delivered (in a few weeks).

Elliot

 

[Marduke]

I bought the EXACT same 3xaaa light as yours at a gun show for kicks. I think I paid $3. Even working fine the light wasn't worth the 60 cents of Walgreen's batteries. I do like multi-LED lights for certain applications. If you still want a similar light you won't find a better value at DX than this: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1255

I splurged on the 2-pack; $5.23 delivered (in a few weeks).

Elliot

+1. Similar circumstances, but I like those DX lights. I am ordering a few more for Dirty Santa parties and Christmas handouts for non-flashaholics.

 

[Gunner12]

Save your money and buy the newer high powered LED light (Cree/Seoul/Rebel). For $15, you could get the MTE Seoul which is much brighter then the 9 LED things and runs on a single AA battery instead of 3 AAA batteries.

White LEDs need at least 3V to run correctly so those that use 1.5-3v input have a driver inside that boosts the voltage up so the LED can run. those can usually run on any types of battery in it's voltage range.

:welcome:

 

[LEDninja]

+1 for the MTE soeul.
I got 3 more for gifts.

Save your money and buy the newer high powered LED light (Cree/Seoul/Rebel). For $15, you could get the MTE Seoul which is much brighter then the 9 LED things and runs on a single AA battery instead of 3 AAA batteries.

White LEDs need at least 3V to run correctly so those that use 1.5-3v input have a driver inside that boosts the voltage up so the LED can run. those can usually run on any types of battery in it's voltage range.

:welcome:

dealgrabber2002 why do you want to use lithiums?
Are you using them in extreme heat or cold?
Are you worried about leaking alkalines or NiMH self discharging to nothing before you use the torch.

Please note the "lasts 9X longer" claim for lithium batteries apply only to digital cameras.
In a fenix L2D on turbo they may run 4X longer. In the other modes (low, medium, high) they last only 1.5X longer than alkalines.

An AA lithium is 2700mAH
A NiMH is 2000 to 2700 mAH
A LSD NiMH is 2000mAH
An alkaline is 1700 mAH at 50mA, 1300 mAH at 400mA nearly useless at 1A or above.

Since the 9 LED torch is pulling 200 to 300 mA a lithium battery will only last 1.5X to 2X an alkaline cell.

An alkaline cell has a lot of internal resistance which reduces the voltage and current and slows down the burning out of the leds in the 9 led light. A lithium has a higher voltage and no resistance resulting in too much power for the leds to handle.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

+1 for the MTE soeul.
I got 3 more for gifts.

dealgrabber2002 why do you want to use lithiums?
Are you using them in extreme heat or cold?
Are you worried about leaking alkalines or NiMH self discharging to nothing before you use the torch.

Please note the "lasts 9X longer" claim for lithium batteries apply only to digital cameras.
In a fenix L2D on turbo they may run 4X longer. In the other modes (low, medium, high) they last only 1.5X longer than alkalines.

An AA lithium is 2700mAH
A NiMH is 2000 to 2700 mAH
A LSD NiMH is 2000mAH
An alkaline is 1700 mAH at 50mA, 1300 mAH at 400mA nearly useless at 1A or above.

Since the 9 LED torch is pulling 200 to 300 mA a lithium battery will only last 1.5X to 2X an alkaline cell.

An alkaline cell has a lot of internal resistance which reduces the voltage and current and slows down the burning out of the leds in the 9 led light. A lithium has a higher voltage and no resistance resulting in too much power for the leds to handle.

Yes, the main reason for going lithium is because everytime my family want to use the flashlight, the battery goes dead or up only for a few minutes. I know I can get other flashlights, I just want to make best use of what I have at home. I do have a surefire G2 led, just got it yesterday... worth the $65!!! + free shipping and 6 CR123 Batteries.

Thanks for the info guys, I learned alot from you guys... just too much to remember because I am not a tech advance.

-E

 

[dealgrabber2002]

Save your money and buy the newer high powered LED light (Cree/Seoul/Rebel). For $15, you could get the MTE Seoul which is much brighter then the 9 LED things and runs on a single AA battery instead of 3 AAA batteries.

White LEDs need at least 3V to run correctly so those that use 1.5-3v input have a driver inside that boosts the voltage up so the LED can run. those can usually run on any types of battery in it's voltage range.

:welcome:

thanks buddy, quick questions for you guys, how do I know if they flashlight can use AAA/AA and AAA/AA lithium.? The reason I ask is because I purchased AAA lithium batteries online and i cannot return it. So if I was to get another flashlight, I want it to take both regular and lithium.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

does the MTE seoul can handle AA lithium?

 

[Marduke]

Just about any modern light will handle AA or AAA lithium primaries. Lithium-ion is another matter...