UKE 4AA ok with lithiums?

flashfan

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This post might belong in the battery section, so feel free to move it.

I have a UKE 4AA light from way back, and recently replaced the alkaline batteries with lithium AAs. Is that okay?

If I remember correctly, I read somewhere that lithium AAs canNOT be used in one of the new flashlights (Surge?), and it got me to thinking that maybe I should not use the liths in the UKE either. If not, then which lights can safely use the lith AAs, if any? Thank you for any input!
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by flashfan:
I have a UKE 4AA light from way back, and recently replaced the alkaline batteries with lithium AAs.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You will get a brighter light at a shorter bulb lifetime.
 
I think the reason they say to not use lithiums is due to the hydogen? gas vented from lithium cells. So if you have a completly sealed light (dive light) it could build up gas to an explosive level. So it is similar to saying the top step on a ladder is not a step, it is to cover themselves if you put lithiums in there and somehow the flashlight does explode.

Has anyone ever had this happen? I keep my old UKE 4AA light with lithiums ins them as emergency light in both cars. I do open and test them every 6 months or so, and never had a problem with them. I also use one with lithiums as a dive light and nver had a problem there either.
 
I put lithiums in my brand new Streamlight Polypro 4AA. Before I even went thru the first set of batteries, the lightbulb blew. Coincidence or not I don't know but it blew in use, not from a knock or fall onto the ground. Now I guess I'll have to mail order a replacement lightbulb as I doubt Walmart, Sears or any other local retailer will carry it. Lesson learned to me, not to depend on it as my primary car light, I'll have to throw an LED light in there as well.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brock:
I think the reason they say to not use lithiums is due to the hydogen? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've never seen any evidence about Li cells are more likely to gas out. If it is so, do you know which types? Only the LiFe or also the other common types?
 
Using Lithium AA's in a flashlight designed for Alkalines can severely affect the life of your bulb.

"1.5V Lithium's (LiFeS2) start at 1.8 volt and drop to 1.4 within the first few minutes. This slow change from the open circuit voltage KILLS bulb life! "
- from Willie Hunt's web page http://www.cs.indiana.edu/hyplan/willie/lvr.html

Warning!!Read this web page at your own risk. Warning!! You will never want to use an unregulated light again! (If Sure Fires are so darn great why don't they use a regulated circuit? )
 
I thought that it was okay to use lithium cells in the UKE 4aa since it uses the same lamp assembly as the 2L and, the 2L is a lithium powered light. I assumed that the four gray pellets in the lamp assembly were the catalysts that eliminated the gases.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cave dave:
You will never want to use an unregulated light again! (If Sure Fires are so darn great why don't they use a regulated circuit? )<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thats why you get them only with (selected) Lithium and Nicd cells. Only this two ones give you a somewhat steady discharge curve.

And, BTW, absolute high end halogen bulbs work only with some kind of electronic regulation (soft start and keeping them very close to the perfect working point).
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Warning!!Read this web page at your own risk. Warning!! You will never want to use an unregulated light again! (If Sure Fires are so darn great why don't they use a regulated circuit? )<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, especially considering that Willie Hunt is based at SF (look at his address). I'm sure that even with the good batteries that SF uses, some models could do even better with regulation?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JB:
I'm sure that even with the good batteries that SF uses, some models could do even better with regulation?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Of course they could. You will get longer bulb life and constant brightness. Different quality of batteries will only influence burn time. And if the circuit is adjustable, you can use a wider selection of bulbs. But it is a far way from such a circuit to industrial production.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Marvin martian:
I thought that it was okay to use lithium cells in the UKE 4aa since it uses the same lamp assembly as the 2L and, the 2L is a lithium powered light.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

One has nothing to do with the other. The 2L uses 123 cells, usually LiMn. The AA cells are LiFe.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>But it is a far way from such a circuit to industrial production.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Isn't this what Willie Hunt's circuit does? I thought his LVR was already in mass production.
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Oh, or are you saying that an *adjustable* circuit is not in industrial production? Do you know if this Lupine system qualifies as an adjustable regulator? http://www.lupine.de/en/stirn/electronic/index.html
 
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