Propolymer 4AA and lithium AA cells (don't)

Propolymer 4AA and lithium AA cells (don\'t)

Add my name to the list of Propolymer 4AA owners who blew their xenon bulb by using 1.7V lithium cells. I had used the light all of 8 minutes intermittently over several weeks, marveling at its throw. But this evening, after 30 seconds of use, the bulb went dark without a sound.

I'm committed to using lithium cells in all my lights, so it's adios, 4AA xenon. I wonder when BrightGuy will stock the Luxeon replacement assembly. It will work in my xenon body, yes?

I'm happy to report that my Propolymer 2AA xenon has fared better. I ran a set of lithiums in a single session until they died a 30-minute death, some 6 to 6.5 hours later. Once I give away my UK 2AA and twistie Mitylite, this light will be the only incandescent I own...and probably the last one I'll ever buy.

Re: Propolymer 4AA and lithium AA cells (don\'t)

If you want a comparable xenon light, try a Princeton Tec PT40 with a 5-cell Mag xenon bulb. It should do fine on the voltage of 4 lithiums.

Re: Propolymer 4AA and lithium AA cells (don\'t)

I ran my PT Vortec headlamp with 4AA lithiums and the Mag 4 cell xenon bulb and the bulb didn't blow on the first set of batteries. I changed the set up to 4 nimh's and a 3 cell krypton bulb, so I don't know how many hours the 4 cell xenon bulb can run on lithiums.

Re: Propolymer 4AA and lithium AA cells (don\'t)

I use the UK4AA with the 4 watt xenon bulb and lithium batteries. According to Flashlightreviews the UK4AA with 4 watt bulb has the same throw and better overall output than the Streamlight Propolymer 4-AA xenon.
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/features/chart_throw.htm

I have a couple of these UK4AA, 4-watt bulb, lithium AA battery setups. The bulbs seem to handle the lithium cells fine. I only have a couple of hours of burn time but many on-off cycles and haven't lost a bulb yet.

Here is a review of the UK4AA. I buy the non-rechargeable UK4AA and replace the standard 2-watt lamp with the 4-watt lamp intended for the rechargeable.
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/uk_4aa_nimh.htm
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/uk_4aa.htm

Re: Propolymer 4AA and lithium AA cells (don\'t)

[ QUOTE ]
try a Princeton Tec PT40 with a 5-cell Mag xenon bulb. It should do fine on the voltage of 4 lithiums.

[/ QUOTE ]
You might even find that this combination is underdriven. Closed-circuit voltage is so highly dependant on battery chemistry, load, size and even brand.

Energizer Lithium AA cells produce a voltage of about 1.4 volts under loads of 0.5-1.0 A. The Propolymer bulb might find the Batterystation Lithium AAs more acceptable as they produce about 1.3 volts under these loads.

Re: Propolymer 4AA and lithium AA cells (don\'t)

I was using Batterystation AA lithiums. In fact, they're the only cell, of any size, that I use among all my lights--even my Propolymer 3C LED.

I'm a big fan of UK. However, I'm using this event as a milestone toward moving to 100 percent LED lights. I value flood over throw, and it's hard to beat the broad, white beam of a multiLED flashlight.