Most powerful flashlight for AA batteries

toneedo

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 24, 2003
Messages
20
Im looking for the most powerful and best flashlight using AA batteries. Possibly 5+ watt luxeon or more. I have rechargble 2300mah nimh AA batteries and i want a powerful flashlight for them.
 

Klaus

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 6, 2001
Messages
1,998
Location
Germany
KL4 with 3AA body ?
Modded 12AA (24AA) 20W (35W) IRC MR16 in 2/3D ?

Klaus
 

Roy

Farewell our Curmudgeon Administrator
Joined
Apr 14, 2002
Messages
4,465
Location
Granbury, Tx USA
Not an LED but the PT Surge is BRIGHT on 8xAA batteries (two groups of 4xAA)
 

treek13

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
May 11, 2002
Messages
1,325
Location
West Coast of Michigan
MEGALITE HD - "Thick beam output from a 5W HD Luxeon operating at up to 10 watts. Uses a removable 6AA battery cartridge that works with both alkaline and NiMh/NiCd rechargeable batteries."

Lambda makes excellent lights! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 

The_LED_Museum

*Retired*
Joined
Aug 12, 2000
Messages
19,414
Location
Federal Way WA. USA
If you can get your hands on a Space Needle II with Assault and Batteries barrel, it has a 5W Luxeon Star and uses 6 AA cells; that's what I'd go for. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

Steelwolf

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
1,208
Location
Perth, Western Australia
Toneedo: Maybe you should give a ball park figure of how many AA cells you want to use?

I can imagine building a real eye burner using at least 24 AA cells in series-parallel configuration. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
 

PaulW

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 23, 2003
Messages
2,060
Location
Laurel, Maryland
Hi Toneedo,

Welcome to CPF. Welcome to the world of bright flashlights.

A few of us in the "hot wire" category have put 9 or 10 AAs in a Mag 3D running a 32-watt WelchAllyn 01185 bulb. Details are in the thread, 500 Lumen Mag 3D.

Paul
 

CM

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 11, 2002
Messages
3,454
Location
Mesa, AZ
I would say the PT Surge is the best form factor as well as good output. I know you can run the KL4 with 4AA's. THe problem for me is that it becomes an unacceptably long package. I don't like carrying baton-length flashlights and much prefer something that can fit in my fat little hands. I'd like to see a power pack that takes 4AA's or 8AA's (like the surge) and holds a McLux PR. It's probably a lot of machining work but NiMH AA's are very economical for heavy use lights.

CM
 

tankahn

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 14, 2003
Messages
89
PT Surge has a microswitch that is easily dislodged when batteries are being changed. Other users has reported it exploding due to internal pressure. I removed the O ring to in case it happens to mine.
 

Lux Luthor

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 10, 2000
Messages
1,944
Location
Connecticut
After many people use a flashlight long enough, something is bound to happen. I've had one for a long time, and have never been so careless while changing the batteries so as to bash the switch.

Also, that explosion incident may have been from reverse charging. I would suggest cleaning the contacts regularly, or just running it on 4AA NiMH. It's lighter that way anyway, which brings me to my only real criticism of it which is that I would prefer a smaller one designed only for use with 4AA.
 

Alan

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 31, 2001
Messages
1,666
Location
Hong Kong
I have one Surge exploded in my backpack due to reverse charging. Since then, I become very picky on charger:-(

Alan
 
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