Why are lithium batteries so good?

My guess is because the capacity of its bulbs and overall engineering technology demands a bigger power payload. At the moment, only lithium batteries can drive its so-called engine and emits the kind of light the flashlights are designed for.

It helps that lithium batteries do not leak. It's much like having a formula one car and not the right kind of fuel.

Ordinary regular fuel won't send a rocket to space, as they say.

Perhaps in a few more years, scientists will come up with a more powerful battery. If they do, we will really see the LIGHT!!!! :) :)
 
They are capable of supplying higher voltages for brighter lamps(3V per cell compared to 1.6V on a AA cell) from a smaller package (about half as long as AA, simlar diameter) and have a ten year shelf life (several times longer than the best Alkaline AA).

Other than that, no reason.

John
 
They also have up to a 10 year shelf life, which is good for something like an emergency flashlight that might get stashed somewhere for years before anyone thinks of checking the batteries. They, like NiCad rechargable batteries, also have a fairly level discharge curve and maintain their rated voltage 'til nearly discharged, unlike other batteries that show a steady voltage drop. LEDs require 1.7 to 3.4 volts (depending on the type) to even turn on, so an LED lamp would quit working before a carbon zinc battery was used up (though you could probably stick them in a radio or something so you could get the rest of the power out of them before tossing them in the trash)
 
The reason they are so good is that the technology is several hundred years advanced from our own. The lithium is derived from spent lithium fuel rods sent through worm holes by the alien beings from another solar system. Due to the chemical makeup of their sun the lithium is toxic in their world. :eek: Our hydrogen powered sun renders the substance harmless. No, I am not a nuclear physicist but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last week. This, by a strange coincidence, is the same source for the magically powered "Ninja Steel" so prized by todays top custom makers as well as the advanced engineering/ design team at Frost! I just thought you guys should know the truth. At first I did'nt believe it either but after 10 or 20 of Uncle Reds egg nogs it now seems so clear to me. :p
 
ROFL, Gee, and here I thought they were made from the scraps that StarFleet trims off the dilithium crystals when they fit them into their holders and sells to OEMs :p
 
I don't think anybody mentioned this yet but lithium (rechargable) batteries also lack the unwelcome "memory effect" that NiCd and NiMH batteries display after a while (gradually reducing their capacity). That, combiend with other advantages mentioned above and the fact that manufacturing process for lithium batteries has improved so they don't spontaneously combust the way they used to not more than 10 years ago makes then #1 choice for many devices, from cellular phones to notebook computers, video cameras, etc., this apparently includes your flashlight.

One more comment regarding voltage drop of LEDs: these are diaodes, i'd expect them to create a voltage drop of 0.7 V (or a multiple of that, if used in series for some odd reason). I'm not quite sure where the numbers mentioned above come from, anybody cares to enlghten me ?
 
faramir said:
One more comment regarding voltage drop of LEDs: these are diaodes, i'd expect them to create a voltage drop of 0.7 V (or a multiple of that, if used in series for some odd reason). I'm not quite sure where the numbers mentioned above come from, anybody cares to enlghten me ?
Click to expand...

Right .7 is the typical forward voltage drop of a standard silicon diode. Germanium diodes used in radio detection have as low as a .2 volt drop. But, LEDs have a higher voltage drop than standard rectifier diodes. Here's some circuitry for them http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/1804/ln/en

Here's a page with specs on various LEDs http://www.lumitex.com/tn_2-1.html (note the dc forward voltage drops vary with the color and the material they are made of)

More stuff on LEDs and various lamps than you can shake a stick at: http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/ledleft.htm
 
SF used the lithium 123 sized cell for one main reason: Those cells were originally designed for camera flashes; quick bursts of current with a quick recovery time b/w flashes. This wasn't possible using standard chemical based cells.

The 123-size cells are not designed for constant "on" applications, though they do well, they have a tendency to overheat and shut down.

All are rated at 3Volts, with a capacity from 1200MAH to 1400MAH.

-dan
 
Mmm, 1200 mega ampere hours (actually henries) ... neat :D mAh, not that it really matters today, but at some point in the future we might actually have portable power sources with gigantic capacity :)
 
OK, I'll cop. I'm guilty. I don't spend a lot of time on CPF, but am registered and periodically check stuff out there.

I was just at CPF checking a review on the new Nuwai TM-303X 1xCR123 Luxeon III pocket light I recieved tonight. It's named the 3 Watt Aluminum LED Flashlight. Original huh?

This new light is not likely to replace my trusty Surefire L4 EDC, but it is unbelievably cool for the money. It's probably the best Christmas Gift of 2004. It's a single CR123 powered Luxeon Star 3 watt LED based light. It's not a Surefire as far as fit and finish go, and it doesn't have the cool features and interchangable components that a Surefire has, but judged on it's own merits, it's an awesome light. It's an inch shorter than a gen 2 Surefire L1, making it really tiny for it's light output (3.6" long). It does not have the scratch resistant Type III Hard Anodize the Surefire sports, nor the two stage tailcap switch but the overall finishe is pleasing, if not Surefire quality. It has a softer type II ano that will scratch easily and only has a click on/click off switch that engages on the release, so no momentary flashing. It also has a plastic lens as opposed to a Pyrex lens on a similar Surefire product. This company has other products that look promising, but I haven't checked out yet.

I think the Nuwai line of lights is certainly inspired by Surefire and general market trends, but is different enough in features and execution that Surefire will continue to be the premium brand in personal lights while this new brand will be a nice budget alternative.

The Nuwai TM-X303X is priced at around $45.00, or about a third the price a Surefire L1. It is quite a bit smaller and a lot cheaper than an L1 with similar output. While not a Surefire in my book, this light won't replace my EDC Surefires when I go farther than around the block, but this light kicks the heck out of my Inova X5 and will also likely displace that and my Streamlight Twintask L2 in my around the house/walk the dog rotation.

I am not afraid to admit that I am a Flashlight Geek and I am impressed with this new Chinese made light.

John
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top