Terralux TLE-1S Help Needed

[Paul Therrien]

Hey everyone,

I need to find out details on how this bulb will work with 2.4 volts.

Here is what I think I know so far....

The bulb can run from 2-9 volts. It regulates power to the LED which is a 1 watt Lux with a 350ma draw of the battery. I believe the regulation of the current is more efficient when it sees 3v and up since it runs more like a buck driver instead of a boost driver. (Correct me if I m wrong please)

Knowing this, I can only run it with two Nimh batteries running at 2.4 total voltage with a 2600mah rating. I need the light to run at close to full for about 12 hours so knowing the exact draw at a specific voltage is needed.

What I am trying to determine is what happens when I start out at a voltage below 3.0-3.5 which is best for the LED? I know that the driver will allow the LED turn on, but will it turn on at a lower draw or intensity, lets say drawing 250ma instead of 350, or will it still draw the same amount converting the 2.4 up to match the LED which will then drain the batteries faster.

How do I calculate this? Does anyone know exactly how this bulb will react to 2.4 volts?

Thanks!

Paul

 

[USM0083]

I have a TLE-1F in a Eveready 2AA host powered by a pair of Tenergy AA Nimh @ 1.3 volts each fully charged. Draw is 310ma and about 18 lumens output (according to my lightbox measurements.)

At higher voltages it does draw less. A pair of Ultrafire 14500s at 4.02 volts draws 120ma with about 23 lumens output.

It does appear that at higher voltages it is slight brighter and draws significantly less.

 

[Paul Therrien]

Ok, great, so it appears as if the circuit is boosting as well as converting down. It appears more efficient when using higher voltages since your output is about 30% higher at least in numbers.

The trick if I really needed the run time is to use a very high output Lithium since it gives me the voltage needed with two batteries. The problem is the cost and the stability. At the 2600mah the price is very high per battery, and I have no idea how they would be for charging constantly or under the load of a LED for 14 hours.

I am currently using two nimh at 2600. 2.4 will under-drive a normal LED but they may actually work.

Not sure what to do just yet but thanks for answering the question.

Paul

 

[Paul Therrien]

Thanks that helps!

Paul