What battery amp?

shwaler

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 27, 2024
Messages
1
Location
USA
I have a kraken nr-1000 dive light that came with a rechargeable 18650 that only lasted a few charges, but since its not frequently used, its out of warranty. Looking to replace with another rechargeable...thinking maybe something like this molicel would work but not sure if 10A is appropriate. Can't find anything on the light or documentation to indicate. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.
 
That battery should be fine, but check the length of the battery that came with the flashlight. Since the included battery has a USB charging port on the battery itself, it will likely be at least 70mm long. Also, the flashlight will only use the amperage it needs up to the battery cutoff. I cannot find any information on what LED that flashlight is using. Typically, 1000 lumens in a modern LED flashlight will be around 6A or less.

BUT, that can vary (up or down) based on the lumens per watt of the LED. If it's using an old cheap LED that only does about 60 lumens per watt, then it would draw closer to 9A, and if it's really inefficient at say 40 lumens per watt, then you would need about 13.5A to hit that 1000 lumens.
 
Before we dive into battery options, it's important to understand the specific requirements.

Key points to consider:

  • Voltage: Most dive lights use a voltage of 3.7V. Ensure the new battery matches this voltage.
  • Capacity: The capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). A higher mAh rating generally means longer runtime.
  • Discharge rate: This indicates how quickly the battery can deliver current. A higher discharge rate is often required for devices that draw a lot of power, like flashlights or dive lights.


Its 10A discharge rate is generally sufficient for most dive lights, including the Kraken NR-1000. However, it's always a good idea to double-check the specific discharge rate requirements of your light.

By the way,

The amp rating of a battery, often referred to as its capacity, is typically measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). This indicates how much current the battery can deliver over a specific period.

How to calculate the amp you need:

Determine the battery's voltage: Most rechargeable batteries used in devices like flashlights, power banks, or electronics have a voltage of 3.7V.

Calculate the current (amps): Use the formula:

Amps = Watts / Voltage
For example, if your device consumes 5W and the battery voltage is 3.7V, then:
Amps = 5W / 3.7V ≈ 1.35A
Factor in usage time: If you want the battery to last for a certain amount of time, multiply the current by the desired usage hours. This will give you the total milliampere-hours (mAh) needed.

For example, if you need the battery to last for 5 hours, then:
mAh = 1.35A * 5 hours = 6.75 mAh

Additional considerations:

  1. Discharge rate: Some devices require batteries with a higher discharge rate, measured in amps. Ensure the battery's discharge rate is sufficient for your device.
  2. Battery type: Different battery types (e.g., lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride) have different characteristics and may require specific charging and discharging methods.
  3. Efficiency: Consider the efficiency of the device and battery. Not all energy from the battery is used effectively, so you might need a slightly larger capacity to compensate.
 
Top