Still some interest in a 3xAA light. It is also interesting because the overhead voltage between a modern low voltage led and 3xNiMh-in-series is close to ideal again for lineair drivers (7135 based) or even FET-drivers: good efficiency and still good runtime in regulation.
I did a test holding a 3xAA carrier with switch (phosfor-bronze springs) against the head of my LuxeonV-modded D4. The Eneloops were not quite full but it gave me a steady 1250 lumen for the 10 seconds that I managed to keep the parts in place in the entrance hole of the sphere.
I want the long version of that very light, with the three AAs placed nose-to-tail. I know it would be about 200mm / 8 inches long, but I like long lights
Of course the various 4xAA lights out there fill that niche as well (D40A, EA41), the merit of this one is that it is exceptionally thin and short.
@Phlogiston: 3xAA in a tube would work just as well (even a bit better because the resistance in between the batteries is virtually zero), that is of course a matter of preference, I like stubby lights, you like long and thin.
You can do this by combining tubes from a SK68 clone and a ā3W Policeā flashlight (see the lego thread)
Iāve still got a Brinkmann 3AA tube light in the ādo something with this somedayā bin.
Google finds a lot of other 3AA flashlights (limiting search with /Tools/verbatim, and then choosing /Images)
Iād like to see a djozz-inspired 3AA BLF light myself.
Now this is weird. Two emitters, one spot and one flood ā and an infrared beam to decide how far away the subject is to balance power to the emitters.
(Iām waiting for the flashlight design where you click the button and the light head extends little propellers and flies over to hover and illuminate your target, while you control it from the battery tube)
Iām not sure it would be cheap, I can imagine it being 30 dollar, structurally it is not unlike the Q8, 4 high power leds, and a battery tube for 3 cells (bored out for 3 cells with a rotating tailboard, my preference, or with battery carrier). One advantage: with 1A per led a DTP board is not needed.
1+ on the BLF headlamp but Iām guessing that Zebralight headlamp of yours is one of those tiny ones that donāt have big heatsink or cooling fins?
Btw there are plenty of those small ones.
The ones that doesnāt exist (what I know of) is a good big headlamp with a battery compartment at the back.
Mike C was looking for a good headlamp host in This thread.
I been searching too but I just ended up disappointed.
I like this idea. Is there an advantage to using a battery carrier over a drop in battery tube? I personally favor the simplicity and easier in the field battery swap of the battery tube.
Most people prefer a thicker light than a super long one.
When you need the cells in series, a battery carrier is the simplest and cheapest option compared to having a special rotating PCB and alignment pins.
The other options is to have all the cells in parallel and use a boost driver, but those are harder to make, rarer, and often less efficient than buck or DD.