High-Output LED lights: What high-capacity cell to use?

pnwoutdoors

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Sep 14, 2008
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USA
The LED drop-in modules available today are offering amazing output. But they consume huge quantities of power, putting a strain on battery capacity. For building a high-output LED flashlight, there are truly a wide array of options, LED-wise.



And, there are various rechargeable cells available. From 1.2V 5000mAh C NiMH batteries to 1.2V 12000mAh D NiMH cells. From 3.7V 2300mAh IMR 26500 LiMN batteries by AW, to 3.2V 3000mAh 26650 LiFePO4 cells. As well as the 3.3V 2300mAh ANR 26650-M1A battery by A123 Systems. Hand-held flashlights are available with stacked and sleeved arrangements of cells, wired in series or in parallel. But it seems that there can never be too much capacity.



So many choices. High run-time and high-output LED performance in a safe, reliable, high-capacity package. Can it be done?





Q: In the C and D sized range of batteries (25000 to 32000 sized cells), which LED module and battery cell combinations available today would you consider for the highest possible run-time and output ... and why?
 
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