Stinger Backup Batteries

Bravo25

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 17, 2003
Messages
1,129
Location
Kansas, USA
Does anyone know if a SL Stinger can be run from an alternate battery source if the rechargeble is depleted?
 

paulr

Flashaholic
Joined
Mar 29, 2003
Messages
10,832
Not advisable. Just get a spare nicad stick and keep it charged.
 

Wolfen

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Joined
Aug 11, 2002
Messages
1,363
Location
Midwest
No, because of the +/- setup. TexasTacticalSuppy.com has batteries on the cheap for the Stinger family.
 

EvilLithiumMan

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 20, 2003
Messages
613
Location
Chula Vista, CA
I would think you could. The bulb doesn't know or care what its source of current is. As long as you can supply 2.5 to 3.5 volts at 1.8 amps, you'll get plenty of light from the Stinger.

I built a Li-Ion pack using two 18650 cells in parallel. And two 18650 cells are exactly the same length as three sub-C cells. The advantage here is that the Li-Ion pack has a capacity of 3700mah, a little over twice the Nicad's 1800mah.

But I did have a problem with the Li-Ion protection circuit. Although it supports the Stinger bulb's 1.8A running current, it won't support the start-up current. (An incandescent filament's cold resistance is only 15-20% of it's operating resistance. So all incandescent lamps draw approx. 5 to 7 times more current when they first turn on). This warm up period is very brief, on the order of milliseconds. But the protection circuit is extremely responsive and wouldn't allow my light to turn. My Li-Ion pack runs fine without the protection circuit. But now it is up to me to ensure I don't discharge it to an unsafe level.

I also had to construct my own negative electrode for the pack. I used plastic from a milk carton for the insulator and Solder Wick for the conductor. I know it is horribly crude, but it works.

As for spare Nicad packs, I purchased a 7.2v 1500mah racing pack for RC cars at the local Hobby People store. Once again, I had make the negative electrode using Solder Wick. But I ended up with two more nicad sets, all for only $8.99.
Stinger1.jpg

Stinger2.jpg
 

Bravo25

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 17, 2003
Messages
1,129
Location
Kansas, USA
Are there any torches similiar to the output of a Stinger that will allow for dual power supply like this? I ask because of extended camping trips, and such where a recharge might not be available.
 

brightnorm

Flashaholic
Joined
Oct 13, 2001
Messages
7,160
[ QUOTE ]
Bravo25 said:
Are there any torches similiar to the output of a Stinger that will allow for dual power supply like this? I ask because of extended camping trips, and such where a recharge might not be available.

[/ QUOTE ]

THESE LIGHTS TAKE RECHARGEABLES OR 123'S

Brightnorm
 
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