Run-Time Plot - Micro-Illuminator

[Roy]

This runtime plot is for a Micro-Illuminator using one AAA battery.

Equipment used is a photocell and a Radio Shack 22-805 multimeter witha PC interface that is using ScopeView software (V 1.08).

The vertical axis is in mA and the horizontal axis 15 minutes per division.

Be aware that your actual battery milage may vary from that indicated by this runtime plot.

EDITED: The alkaline runtime plot was changed from Duracell Battery to Energizer Battery

1xAAA Energizer Alkaline Battery
Runtime to 50% Brightness = 84 minutes

1xAAA Radio Shack NiMH 700 mAh Battery
Runtime to 50% Brightness = 103 minutes

 

[Roy]

 

[lambda]

Wow, that Duracell sure doesn't get the run times I've gotten with Energizer AAAs /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[BentHeadTX]

Thanks Roy,
Guess I had better stick the the bunny when it is battery time! I should have mine tomorrow... drag out that light meter and see what it does.

 

[Roy]

Just finished a second runtime plot using another Duracell AAA from the same batch as the first runtime plot, 2008. The second runtime plot was almose identical as the first. The first plot had a 50% value of 84 minutes and the second plot had a 50% value of 88 minutes. Think I'll go find some other brands of AAA batteries and see what kind of runtime plots I get.

Lambda, could there be differences in the components of the pill that that you and I used, that could account for the differences in our runtimes? My RS NiMH only got a 50% value of 103 minutes as compaired to your 50% vallue of 145 minutes.

 

[Roy]

I would not have thought that changing brands of batteries would change the runtime plot results so drasticaly, but here are the results of four runtime plots using four different brands of batteries. I am reporting the runtime as the time it takes to get to a brightness level of 50% of the starting value. All of the batteries tested were alkaline batteries.

<ul type="square"> Duracell.....84 minutes
Radio Shack.....106 minutes
Energizer.....116 minutes
Everactive.....115 minutes. [/list]

Based on the above results, I changed the Alkaline Battery runtime plot from Duracell to Energizer.

 

[BentHeadTX]

Roy,
Thanks for the run time plots on the Micro, as my EDC it will eat the most at the battery table. Guess it is Everactives and Energizers in the little guy.

 

[brightnorm]

Is it too late to order one of these beauties, and are R ranked #3 or #4 Luxeons still availablle?

Brightnorm

 

[shankus]

That is odd. I thought there would be very minimal differences between brands. I wonder if that lot was defective? Could it be that the ads are true?

Also worth noting is the way the NiMH runs so much flatter, that it makes the light appear more regulated than the alkaline.

 

[Imworking]

I went by the local dollar store and picked up a four pack of Rayovac Alkalines. Just as an experiment, put one in the Micro and let it run for 3 hours. There was a very little perceived difference in brightness after the 3 hours. Quite an impressive little light.

 

[JoeyL]

I agree this is a great little light.
Most of the guys around the lunch table agree and
they didn't even balk when I told them the price.

Someone please fill me in on the batteries:
How can a 700 mah rechargeable last so much longer and brighter than an AAA which should have something like
1100 mah?

I thought the AAA's had at least this amount.

Thanks.

 

[lemlux]

Roy:

I read that the typical MI contains an RxL LS. Maybe the better run time uses an RxH.

 

[BentHeadTX]

JoeyL,
The rechargeables hold their voltage stable as they discharge, when they are almost dead...they die very quickly. Alkalines just slowly decline in the amount of voltage they put out and will outlast a rechargeable in total time. The great thing about rechargeables is they typically hold a higher voltage when they discharge giving you a brighter light. It will not last as long due to less capacity.

 

[4x4Dragon]

[ QUOTE ]
lambda said:
Wow, that Duracell sure doesn't get the run times I've gotten with Energizer AAAs /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

any guesses on how a 800 ma AAA will perform????

im about to get the rayovac 15 minute charger and am thinking about getting the AAA cells too.

 

[bluewater]

I've been using 700mah AAA's in mine since I got it....they work great....free photons /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

Do a search on that Rayovac fast charger....I think it's also known as the Rayovac battery cooker /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif