Hi,
I was just searching eBay for 4 D-size battery holders to use my Maha 9000 to charge some Tenergy D cells and I stumbled upon an adapter to convert 2xAA into a D-size container - makes the capacity difference less of a probalem and obviates the need to buy D cells:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270819252873
and they ship from the US!
Regards,
KumaBear
I've got some of these, they are great for backup-use
Depending on the battery you use, they will yield you around 4000-5000mah (about half the capacity of a quality D cell)
I have found they don't work in all applications, I've got a portable heater and they don't make correct contact without using a shim on the negative end.
They are great for back up use though.
They also make AAA-AA adapters, and also AA-C adapters
I got a set of these to use in my 3d. They work all right, though, their hinges tend to tear easily. You’ll need to tape the cap then.
I have all of them, AAA->AA, AA->C and 2xAA->D ones, so far have tried AAA->AA in my camera, work flawlessly. 2xAA->D worked good in $0.60 flashlight too :D!
Pitty there are no 3xAA to D converters, might investigate if there is a way to squeeze that 3rd battery in, would be nice to have 3 Eneloops in one D size adapter. Would be cool for a D sized LSD with max/min 6000/5700mah capacity on the cheap.
Given that LSD D cells cost an arm and a leg for 6000-10000mah Id rather use adapters and universally sized AA Eneloops.
How about this:
http://www.batteryjunction.com/3-aa-1-d.html
Nevemind it is out of stock and discontinued. :/
Yea, those are in series though.
Browsed the web looking for cheap 3AA->D converter, found nothing, everything is out of stock!
Too bad.
Again, it looks like the KD version has the cells in series, rather than parallel. So, assuming 2000mAh Eneloops, you are getting a 3.6V 2000mAh pack, rather than a 1.2V 6000mAh pack to replace a D cell.
LOL, thanks, somehow my search there didnt yield any results, all I got was either expired links from forums or "no products found" when searching@KD.
Thanks :)!
I can't decide if I think they're parallel or serial. If they are parallel, one would assume all the springs would be at one end...since that would be easiest to construct...but that's clearly not the case here.
On the other hand, they do say 3AA - 1D, and the holder has + marked on one end.
I'll find out when the 6 I ordered arrive :)
It doesn't matter much to me though, since I'll be replacing their high resistance springs and contacts anyway...
Looking closer at some of their photos, the AA's are placed opposite one another, so they are in series.
I brought some of the 2 x AA to D cell adaptors they where cheap enough, but since i could not get any tenergy D cells, because international shipping was sky high i brought some of these to test.
1.2V D 8000mAh Rechargeable NiMH Battery the way i see it if i only get 50 % of the claimed mAh it still should give me a decent run time and they are only $5 AUD each deleviered.
received these today. stock they are series.
move one spring to the opposite end and they're parallel.
edit, oh and put a drop of solder between contacts on each end...
I didn't think of that!
working good in a 3D light. it has a high resistance switch so I set it up direct drive - 50% more current w/ 9xAA nimh than 3xD nicads, but those are pretty old nicads. I'll have a better idea of the real difference when my tenergy 10A d cells arrive :)
I use two of those adapters in the Mag with the Fusion 36. 6 AA Eneloops for 7.2 volts is what the doctor ordered for this drop-in
From my tests, the Fusion dropin needs above 4.8V to give of its brightest. Below that it isn't as powerful. That said, I have a 3D at the back door with 3 8000mAh LSD(ish) Ds in it. It works for large black dog spotting in the backyard and doubles as supplemental lighting for that end of the kitchen which does get a bit gloomy at night. Even with LSD cells, self-discharge is more of an issue than current draw.
Sofar out of the 4 ive got ive only givn them a quick charge and discharge but im getting around 4500 mAh average and im sure they will pick up a bit more with a few more cycles but i dont think they will hit the 8000 mAh that is claimed.
Consider that a 10,000 mAh Accurevolution LSD D cell costs about 12 dollars each, minus discounts, bulk, etc.
4 Eneloop AAs (8,000 mAh) costs about 10 dollars each. 5 (10,000 mah) cost 12.50 then. (plus the adapter cost)
So you really aren't saving any money with this approach. You are just going through a bit of extra trouble, introducing an extra point of failure, and effectively using lower capacity cells.
I would recommend against doing this UNLESS you have a pretty good charger that is AA/AAA only and don't want to spring for a universal smart charger. Which is probably a fairly common scenario actually.