AA driver

LED Flashlights – General Info Multiple AA / 14500 Flashlights
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Hi all,

I am looking for a reasonably priced 2 or 3 mode 2aa driver, as high output as possible, can anyone point me in the right direction?

I see only 1 or 5 mode at fast tech, there is a nice one at Intl outdoor, but I was hoping there was something similar for around half the price.

Thanks

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Hi, how much do you want to spend?

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Preferably under $5, unless it doesn’t exist….

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Both of those suppliers Are the cheapest and i’d have to say the more reliable to deliver what you actually ordered.

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I was going to suggest the nanjg 112a from KD, but it isnt in stock :frowning:

Might have to stump up the extra cash and go for the LD30 from Intl-outdoor

Sorry cant be more help…

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Thanks, I see there is quite a range of drivers at kaidomain, but almost everything related to aa seems to be sold out… Wonder how long before they restock??
Perhaps I can search for that driver elsewhere….
I’ll keep looking, thanks…

By the way, I heard the solar force l2r body was not sold anymore, but I bought 2 yesterday, they are apparently on their way, so I guess they have decided to restock on them…

I am looking to provide a couple of quality lights to people here in South Africa at a budget price, but most people do not know of lithium ion, so they tend to want to stick to AA, which is why I am pursuing various aa options….

Thanks

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Not a three-mode, it's a five-mode but I used this one from Fasttech on a recent build:

https://www.fasttech.com/p/1127407

Seems to be good. It has no mode memory and always starts at High so you really don't have to cycle through the extra modes. The 800mA on high seems to be right-on which makes a nice light with an XP-G2 emitter. Relatively high PWM compared to some of my cheaper budget drivers...

Unfortunately, I haven't found a good low-voltage no-blinky driver I could recommend...

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This is one of the most powerful 1AA driver you will find - http://dx.com/p/3w-5w-20-mode-regulated-circuit-board-for-flashlights-7880

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I can’t get my head around how you can have 20 modes on a driver???

Is it possible to use it without having to endure endless different strobes?

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I have this driver and the 1st mode group is really quite outstanding.

Modes in group 1 are actually: candle\10 sec beacon\ultra low\low\mid\high.

Memory works well and modes are well spaced. As Essexman eluded, this is probably the highest output budget 1.5V mini driver available. I had to use a dremel tool to sand down the OD to fit a Hugsby P31, but it did fit and outperformed the already respectable stock driver.

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Flitsmal, did you order from here ? If so… bad news, that’s not an L2r at all. It’s a regular L2 with an extension. That setup works, but it’s nowhere near as compact as an actual L2r. :_(

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Hi Wight,
Yes I did.
Well, as long as it works with aa I should be happy.
I have never seen the original l2r,so I guess I don’t know what I’m missing!!
Still seeking a budget 2 mode driver though…
Thanks

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Been thinking about this project. Do you really want the most powerful output considering ? Maybe best to find an average output driver with just one mode for longer run time and simple UI.

Will they be using alkaline cells or rechargeable cells?

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Hi Essexman,
Not sure, probably alkaline mostly.
I think it’s always nice to have a light with a high, as well as a low mode, especially if you want your batteries to last quite a while…
And the bright mode should be reasonably wow….

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This driver should do well for 2AA batteries

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If we look at the first graph in Bort's link to HKJ's review of the LD-30, we see that on high with 2xAA the driver will start by pulling 0.7A and before it goes into low-voltage-warning mode it is drawing 1.0A. Looking at the second graph (1A discharge) in HKJ's comparison of AA battery chemistries we see that while that's not a problem for NiMH (or lithium primaries), alkaline cells just don't handle that kind of drain well. For a more detailed view of alkaline performance from HKJ, see here.

You should get nearly full capacity out of alkaline AA's in the LD-30's low mode.

On High the LD-30 seems to be extracting about as much power as you can reasonably hope to on two alkaline cells. I don't know of a more powerful 2xAA driver anyway, but if there was one it would quickly demolish alkaline AA's.

Edit: fixed links

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thats a good point, alkalines are just not designed for high current draw, i remember HKJ did a test on some lithium primaries (Energizer maybe?) that would do fine but for alkaline i would recommend very low lumens or no usage in flashlights at all (when avoidable)

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Absolutely. HKJ has also reviewed Nice brand lithium primaries, and while not as good as the Energizers they were close I thought. Energizer Ultimate Lithium is definitely the best.

What I've run into with powerful AA lights is that the end user _just can't understand_ why I'm recommending that they spend so much money on lithium primaries. I've found that many end users purchase budget AA's, the really crap stuff that's way less expensive than regular Energizer/Duracell alkalines. No matter how much better off they'd be powering the light with good batteries I suspect many people would continue to feed it budget cells - to their own detriment of course. On the other hand, if you provide them with an 18650 light they are forced to use the 18650's you provide along with it! Same thing probably works with lights which have a charging dock.

Imagine one of those [possibly dearly loved] chumps attempting to use their extra-crappy-budget-AAs in an emergency situation...

Edit: fixed links...

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in the end mega lumens is not required, 200 lumens will do for most situations (though of course there are situations which would require more), but alkalines are an ingrained source of power for most people, when i suggest rechargeables for anythign not just flashlights most people look at me as if i am telling them to abandon gasoline.

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