two mag charger nicads in a maglite 6d with wa1185

NotBrightNuf

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May 2, 2009
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would two mag charger nicads 12v in a 6d maglite powering a wa1185 give me more runtime than 9AAs 10.8v in a mag charger running a wa1185?
 
You might flash the 1185. Check the destructive bulb test thread for the flashpoint before you put anything together.
 
I see, so too much power probably. What's a good AA rechargeable battery for me to use in the 9aa adapter? Some have numbers like 2700mAh, which rating is the best for high powered bulbs?
 
Stock charger stick is 2.5Ah, I believe. (Used to be 2.2, actually!) So it depends on your AAs; the higher voltage will suck more current, so it might come out pretty even with Eneloops or something. If there is a difference, it would definitely be in favor of the charger-sticks.

If you use aftermarket 1/2D cells or sticks, though, the 10x1/2D pack pulls ahead -- you can get them at least 3.5Ah, maybe more. Don't know how you plan to charge them (is keeping them in sticks of 5 important?), but if you buy them loose you could easily use 9x1/2D.
 
High-capacity NiMH do badly with high currents, and high-current NiMH hold less energy. Eneloops are a great compromise, having pretty decent capacity, handling high current discharges pretty well, and having a shelf-life of a year or two between maintenance charges.

If you can find 1/2D LSD (Low Self Discharge) cells, by all means give them a shot and post your experience.

If you can find a Hotdriver (voltage regulator, with soft start) the two-Charger-stick solution would work fine.
 
If I wanted to go with AA enelope would be the way to go? What kind of runtime would I get on a wa1185 with 9 AAs?
 
Eneloops are 2 Ah * 1.2 volts.
2 * 1.2 * 9 = 21.6 watt-hours. Divide by bulb wattage to get runtime in hours.
Using 24 watts (same as ROP-hi; I forget the 1185's spec) gives 54 minutes, or .9 hours.
Anecdotally, this is about right.
 
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