Solarc battery question

[SafetyBob]

I just got a 10watt Solarc ballast and bulb from another CPF member....thanks Flipside!!!!! I have the spec sheet and everything from Welch Allyn (B10N008)

Here is my general question to you guys who have done this before:

1. Am I just better off to bore a M@g for 8 eneloops and call it a day?

2. I have some Emoli batteries here (the big ones), to dangerous to use because of the possibility of exceeding that 11.8VDC max voltage?

3. Another battery combination? SubC's......I figured 8 x 43mm=344mm which is 4mm less than 6 D cells? What a HUGE flashlight though....

Now due to heat and stuff, would it be stupid to consider anything bigger than the eneloops? I would hate to put the work and money into an extended runtime configuration just to have everything die because I was "using" it to long.

Thanks,

Bob E.

 

[yellow]

I have a Solarc and it never did work good (with any number of batts), thats why I had to add a driver circuit that keeps the voltage stable.
With that thing, the whole setup worked nicely
(but that additional driver produces more heat than bulb or ballast for itself)

as a plus: forget the small 10 W HID.
I definitly like my single cree light much more than the green/blue chromatic light from the Solarc, it is a nicer output and seems almost as bright, even when biking

I have read there is a new solarc out. Maybe this gets the edge now. Older ones dont make sense
(they need the power 4 single led / a quad-die runs on. No match)

 

[cmacclel]

Yellow you seem to be the only person trashing the 10W Solarc system. I have built 100 or so with no complaints by anyone.

If your after throw you can forget about LED's unless you go with an aspherical lens.

Bob you can use

8x Nimh
4x CR123
3x Li-ion

As long as it's properly heatsinked you can run it till the battery's die

Mac

 

[Patriot]

I guess everyone has a preference for color temperature and that these day LEDs are often favored for their warmer color. That said, the 10W Solarc is still going to produce twice the output of a single Cree, especially at 12V. Three 17670's will provide excellent run-time.


Cree Q5 @ 1.2A

10W Solarc

 

[SafetyBob]

Mac and Patriot, thank you so much for the reply. I can't wait to get this thing going.

Guess you know what I will be doing instead of putting up Christmas lights this weekend!!

Bob E.

 

[Patriot]

Just one more thought about the maximum input voltage...I've owned three Solarcs and never hurt one even while running up to 13V.