Can anyone step up for an AA/2AA only BLF budget flashlight?

Looking at Eneloop Pro AA cells. I have some of these, so I’d be interested in a light that can use them to the max. The Manker Quinlan T01 claims 500 lumens from a single AA, so even 1000lm from 2xAA should be reasonable. According to HKJ’s tests, it wouldn’t keep it there very long, but it could do it. Then, add a MCU that we can program to get whatever firmware we like. And put it into a nice looking host. :heart_eyes:

I’m not afraid of lithiums for myself. But, I know people who would love to have a bright light, and I wouldn’t trust them with lithium cells!

+1000

I’d forgotten about the SAIK SA-305

(it’s a 3xAA ‘beer can format’ light, maybe no longer available)
Old Lumens’ mod of that is worthy of consideration as a first draft toward what could be a BLF design.
A bit off topic, I’m more interested in 1xAA for my own use — but the 3xAA could be really nice as a gift for non-lithium-ion family and friends.
(being as I live in earthquake country, I try to keep handy a stockpile of lights and AA lithium primaries …)

+1 :slight_smile:

I love clay... but to do this in clay would be a total waste of time...other than the enjoyment. When folks decide what they want, we can do the light in CAD and render it out. That way, when the design is complete, we can CNC the prototype and go from there. If a clay model were produced, it would need to be reverse engineered or laser scanned to get that shape into a digital format so we can work with it in the shop. You are exactly correct about the manual lathe being a limitation. That is why we currently run CNC machines and are upgrading the entire shop to even higher production volumes & capabilities.

The design possibilities are endless. The capability / ability to produce those designs is almost as endless. I think each of us has "Something" we like in the design of each light we own. That curve, this offset, those fins...etc. .

We can't put everything everyone wants into one light. It takes multiple lights. That is what we have based the shop upgrades on. We needed the capability to be faster and more agile in the design & production of lights.

I think watching what folks like, want, don't want, and crave is highly interesting. TL



+1 = people with children, and/or people who I can’t trust will, in an emergency, remember “if it vents DO NOT INHALE”

Something like this, now: 2-AA Sipik SK68 Mod
That’s by Dbsar, who wrote there:

Just a little re-threading involved. Again just suggesting maybe as a rough draft that could be worth improving.
As usual with these, the driver is probably the big question — live with it or improve it, it’s hard to find 2xAA drivers.

When youre done making awesome driver, I would also like to see it released with 123-18350 tube, 2xAA extension tube as well as 18650 tube, just like that :D!

Wow, I didn't know there was still interest on this.

SURPRISE!!

Yeah I've been dead on this forum.

Zombie! just in time!!

We're actually in the early design/spec stages for a light though it may have deviated a bit from the poll.

And amusing?

My idea of budget is probably different to others but it seems like the cost of this light is going to not be so budget.

Would it be possible to make/find a driver that works for 1x14500 and 2xAA/nimh? If it is the light could be sold as a single cell light with extension tube.

agreed that:

1xAA are super light, effective and generic/popular
2XAA adds options in the power department
a high performance boost driver would be cool (rhetorical question) I wonder why they are not more popular (in existance)?
in the power deparment the 2xAA need is also addressed by the CR123 and 16340 cells
the high current AA application are addressed by the 14500 cell
drivers can take both an AA or 14500 would also be cool (rhetorical question) I wonder why they are not more popular (in existance)?
as far as energy density the 18650 is hard if not impossible to beat.
there are limits to what a single AA can do. Is it possibe that it is the single AA cell power that is limiting factor in design?
dont forget the 2x14250 and 2x16340 configurations
lets not forget that 3xAA give useful power options

and my personal favoite converting 3XAA lights into 3X14500, 6V emitter light options (just because :wink:

yes the SAIK SA-305 and SH-3AA still exist and are availible (best to be used as hosts in my opnion)

If folks are still reading any thoughts on the TrustFire TR-A9-2 ?

TL

you’re implying a 300 lumen AA light isn’t bright enough for them ?? or just not bright enough for you to impress them with ?
non flashaholics are only impressed by output .i’m very impressed by some 80 lumen lights with nice lows like the thrunite ti ’s. but nonaholics never are impressed with a moon mode or a good low …so who cares what they want .

I like AA lights, but they have to have ability to run AA Alcs & NiMH, or a 14500 cell.
Also they need to have a good balance of run time vs. output, have moon-mode, hidden strobe, a hat clip for use as a headlight, good quality build, lock out, all the popular stuff.
two of my favorites are my S15 and S15R with a TIR and 4C emitter mod.

And so we are back at the S15r. It would be hard to design a better light. Yes there is always someone that wants something extra, tint, or even a silly amount of lumens. But the fact remains that the s15 emits the perfect amount of lumens for a light of its size. It can run on 1,2 or 3 AA cells or lithium and the modes are well spaced. Its also the perfect light for a non flashohlic as it charges easier than a mobile phone.

The fact that people are wanting to use old technology (nimh) to power modern LEDs seems and produce massive lumens makes no sense to me. AA lights are good in my opinion but more than 250/300 and you really need lithium.