3x NiMH batteries should be fine with 8x 7135, 2,8A on high…
But what about alkalines?
I read on here that the 3aa cyclone flashlight from IO uses 8x7135, but the text also says:
“Alkaline batteries should be used on Low and Medium modes only, due to high internal resistance.”
Basically, what does that mean in real life? What would happen if high mode was used (for some time)…
Would there be problems if using 6x 7135@ 2,1A in combination with alkalines? Where is the limit for alkalines?
The reason I ask is because I have thought a little about buying a 3AA mini maglite and modifying it for extreme output. But would be nice if a potential buyer/user could use all types of AA batteries. No plans of li-ion if getting a 3aa light…
The idea is, you won’t actually find out “what would happen if high mode was used ”
because alkaline battery capacity is terrible w/ .5C current draw.
It isn’t a safety thing, afai. I don’t think you could get them to explode or anything. I have a different light w/ 3xAA and the same driver - no problems w/ alkalines, just very short life on high.
They might be more likely to leak…but they’ll be dead so quick that you probably won’t have them in your light long enough for that to happen
Alkalines are known to leak at high currents, due to internal heating and pressure. The seals used on them are poor (probably on purpose to prevent people from charging them). When you draw a lot of current the cells heat up and pressure releases the acid. It’s not that dangerous to people, but it eats metal and will ruin your light internals, especially springs.
The Duracell/Energizer Lithium high drain primary (non-rechargeable) batteries should be OK, but they are more expensive than a set of good NiMH.
I have not read a lot about the EA4. But I would assume it probably have around 2,6A to the led on (full) turbo before stepping down after 3 min. Is it not strange that Nitecore seem to recommend alkalines just as much as NiMH? They even show 4 Duracell Alkaline batteries as one of their selling points. General selling points and info link
I know 4 batteries helps, and going down to somewhere around 1,5A (?) on high helps a lot. But still…
What are you guys thoughts about Alkalines in that light and the way the lights is marketed with them?
I think you’ll find their is a big difference in performance at ~1.5A and ~2A, but personally, I think using AAs to drive a ~10W emitter is a worst case scenario.
Look what I found!
They show the 1W discharge curve as less than HALF the capacity of .25W - and we’re talking 2 and 3W
without looking for somebody’s test data, I’d expect maybe…<<750mah? and that might not all be useable, depending on the driver’s characteristics (voltage sag)
Skip alkaline in the cyclone, notice how the ea4 has 4 instead of 3. Also it may have some kind of buck driver.
NiMH won’t put out 3a in the cyclone either, (think 0.8-2a depending on brand), and would likely also be the buck driver on the ea4
Alkalines are good when you have nothing else. NiMH would be the way to go and eneloops will flat out take 8-10 amps (if only for a short time). If the driver is designed for NiMHs, then they will easily take 3 amps.
As far as marketing? Well, they live in a different world, one which I have never been able to find. They probably take into consideration that most people would use the light at a reduced power setting, where Alkalines would hold up a little longer. Plus, more people will buy when they see the Copper Tops in the photo.
The eneloops can put out 8-10amps, but you will get 1.8-2.0 in the cyclone, believe me i know, and contrary to popular belief its not due to the battery holder being cheap (it is cheap though) but seems to be caused by voltage sag at that load. Perhaps 4AA would give the full 2.8Amps
