two mag charger nicads in a maglite 6d with wa1185

[NotBrightNuf]

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?

 

[Chrontius]

You might flash the 1185. Check the destructive bulb test thread for the flashpoint before you put anything together.

 

[NotBrightNuf]

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?

 

[Benson]

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.

 

[Chrontius]

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.

 

[NotBrightNuf]

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?

 

[Chrontius]

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.