The repaired lead-acid battery from the LED flashlight (by adding distilled water and initial intensive charging) worked for almost six months after that. He considered further attempts to resuscitate him inappropriate and began to look for some other battery, taking into account voltage, capacity and possibly permissible dimensions.
Given the current abundance, it seemed that there should be no difficulty in selecting a new battery. But everything didn’t suit me. The most desirable option - a battery from a mobile phone, did not fit in size. And those that were suitable in size had a very inappropriate price.
Quite by accident I noticed a battery compartment for four AAA batteries (or batteries). I tried to place it inside the flashlight - it worked. And in general, according to all possible and even expected parameters, it turned out that this was exactly what was needed. If you want, install AAA batteries of 1.2 volts, or you can use dead batteries, which can then be recharged once or twice.
Flashlight connection diagram
The lantern had the following electrical circuit from the manufacturer. Initially I didn’t touch it, but now I’ll have to change it in accordance with the intended method of operation. Moreover, initially the modification is supposed to be carried out in a budget format and without observing the circuit design bells and whistles proposed in such cases. To do this, you need to decide on the LEDs available in the flashlight (their voltage, current consumption?). There are two ways:
- practical(with measurements)
- theoretical(search in the table with a comparison of sizes, configurations, and other distinctive features). I chose the second one.
In general, there is a useful article for this, which I advise you to read. Headlight LEDs, operating voltage 2.9 - 3.3 volts, maximum permissible current consumption 20 milliamps.
Side panel LEDs, operating voltage, 3.0 - 3.5 volts, maximum permissible current consumption 20 milliamps.
I connected the headlight through a constant resistor with a resistance of 2 Ohms and a trimming resistor of 0.5-20 Ohms, with which I set the permissible current to three parallel-connected LEDs at 60 mA.
I did the same with the side panel, only the constant resistance here is 33 Ohms, and with the trimmer I set the total current of the LEDs to 40 mA.
Refinement scheme
The electrical circuit took this form based on the desired operating mode, which is that for any resistance set on the trimmer resistor, the light output of the headlight will have a ratio with the light output of the side panel as 3:2. That is, the headlight light will always be a third stronger.
Everything fits. The battery fits into the case without effort, but there is no freedom of movement in it either. A suitable “niche” was found for the general, headlight and side panel, trimming resistor.
It is also accessible when the lamp is assembled, so that if necessary, you can always make the appropriate adjustments.
Video
At the time of filming, unfortunately there was no more spacious dark room than the bathroom, but please take into account my assurances that the flashlight’s headlight works perfectly at a distance of 10 meters or even more. Author of the project - Babay iz Barnaula.
Discuss the article REPLACEMENT OF LEAD BATTERIES IN FLASHLIGHTS
When purchasing or assembling new LED flashlights, you should definitely pay attention to the LED used. If you are purchasing a lantern only to illuminate a dark street, then there is a huge choice - choose any one with a bright white LED. But if you want to buy a portable lighting device with characteristics for more complex tasks, the important point here is the choice of the appropriate luminous flux, that is, the ability of the device to illuminate a large space with a powerful beam.
Main characteristics
LEDs are responsible for the quality of light that the flashlight emits. The stability of lighting depends on many characteristics, including current consumption, light flux and color temperature. Among the trendsetters, it is worth noting the company Cree; in its assortment you can find very bright LEDs for flashlights.
Modern pocket models are created using a single LED, the power of which reaches 1, 2, or 3 W. The indicated electrical characteristics are the properties of various LED models from well-known brands. The intensity of the light rays or luminous flux is an indicator that depends on the type of LED and the manufacturer. The manufacturer also indicates the number of lumens in the specifications.
This indicator directly correlates with the color temperature of the light. Light-emitting diodes can produce up to 200 lumens per watt and are produced today in different temperatures to glow: warm yellowish or cool white.
Lanterns with a warm white tint produce a pleasant light to the human eye, but they are less bright. Light with a neutral color temperature effectively allows the smallest elements to be seen. Cool white lighting is usually typical for models with a huge beam range, but can irritate the eyes during prolonged use.
If the temperature reaches approximately 50 °C, then the life of the crystal can be up to 200,000 hours, but this is not justified from an economic point of view. For this reason, many companies produce products that can withstand operating temperatures of up to 85 °C, while saving on cooling costs. If the temperature exceeds 150 °C, the equipment may completely fail.
The color rendering index is a qualitative indicator that characterizes the ability of an LED to illuminate a space without distorting the actual shade. LEDs for flashlights with a color rendering source characteristic of 75 CRI or more are a good option. An important element of the LED is the lens, thanks to which the angle of dispersion of the light fluxes is set, that is, the range of the beam is determined.
In any technical specification of an LED, the angle of radiation must be noted. For any of the models, this characteristic is considered individual and usually varies in the range from 20 to 240 degrees. High-power LED flashlights have an angle of approximately 120°C and generally include a reflector and an additional lens.
Although today we can see a strong leap in the production of high-power LEDs consisting of multiple crystals, global brands are still producing LEDs with lower power. They are produced in a small case that does not exceed 10 mm in width. In a comparative analysis, one can notice that one such powerful crystal has a less reliable circuit and dispersion angle than a pair of similar elements simultaneously in a single housing.
It would not be amiss to recall the four-pin “SuperFlux” LEDs, the so-called “piranha”. These flashlight LEDs have improved specifications. The piranha LED has the following main advantages:
- the light flux is distributed evenly;
- no need to remove heat;
- lower price.
Types of LEDs
There are many flashlights with improved features available in the market today. The most popular LEDs are from Cree Inc.: XR-E, XP-E, XP-G, XM-L. Today the latest XP-E2, XP-G2, XM-L2 are also popular - they are mainly used in small flashlights. But, for example, Cree MT-G2 and MK-R LEDs from Luminus are widely used in huge models of search lights that can operate simultaneously from a pair of batteries.
In addition, LEDs are usually distinguished by brightness - there is a special code thanks to which you can sort LEDs by this parameter.
When comparing some diodes with others, it is worth paying attention to their dimensions, or rather, to the area of the light-emitting crystals. If the area of such a crystal is small, then it is easier to concentrate its light into a narrow beam. If you want to get a narrow beam from XM-L LEDs, you will need to use a very large reflector, which negatively affects the weight and dimensions of the housing. But with small reflectors on such an LED, a fairly effective pocket flashlight will come out.
Application area of LEDs
Mostly, when choosing flashlights, consumers choose models with the maximum beam of light, but in many cases they do not need this option. In many cases, such equipment is used to illuminate a nearby area or an object that is no more than 10,000 m away. A long-range flashlight shines at 100 m, although in many cases with a rather narrow beam that poorly illuminates the surrounding area. As a result, when illuminating a distant object with such lighting devices, the user will not notice those objects that are located in close proximity to him.
Let's look at a comparison of the tonality of light produced by LEDs: warm, neutral and cold. When selecting the appropriate flashlight light temperature, the following important points must be taken into account: LEDs with a warm glow can minimally distort the color of the illuminated objects, but they have lower brightness than neutral-spectrum LEDs.
When choosing a powerful search or tactical flashlight, where the brightness of the device is an important point, it is recommended to select an LED with a cold spectrum of light. If a flashlight is needed for everyday life, tourism purposes, or for use in a head-mounted model, then proper color rendering is important, which means LEDs with warm light will be more advantageous. A neutral LED is the golden mean in all respects.
Not taking into account the cheapest flashlights, which only have a single button, many flashlights have a couple of operating modes, including strobe and SOS modes. The non-brand model has the following operating options: the highest power rating, medium power and “strobe”. In addition, the average power is basically equal to 50% of the highest brightness of the light, and the lowest is 10%.
Branded models have a more complex structure. Here you can control the operating mode using a button, rotating the “head”, turning the magnetic rings and a combination of all of the above.
Boruit heavy duty headlamp. For lighting during fishing, hunting and household work.
Suitable for various powers. The luminous efficiency of the device should not exceed 80 lm. You should also pay attention to the driver. Typically it is installed with an output capacitor. Some models have an amplifier. On average, their current consumption is 3 A.
If we consider sensitive modifications, then they have a voltage surge protection system installed. In order to understand the issue in more detail, it is necessary to consider specific models.
Circuits with capacitive capacitors
LED flashlight circuits with capacitors include wave filters. In this case, triggers are used on a semiconductor basis. As a rule, their output voltage does not exceed 20 V. Converters are used to reduce sensitivity. Drivers for models are installed with different throughputs. If we consider a 30 V LED, then it has a transceiver.
Using snubber capacitors
The LED circuit with a damping capacitor includes contact filters. In total, the models have two converters. The driver is connected to the LED through a winding. Some modifications have a compact transceiver. Most often it is used with an amplifier.
Characteristics of LED marked 530
These are universal for flashlights too. The characteristics of the devices indicate a high conductivity coefficient. LEDs are produced for 20 and 25 V. If we consider the first option, the luminous efficiency of the device is on average 60 lm. The color rendering coefficient in this case depends on the conductivity of the transceiver. For many models, the amplifier is used without a converter.
The current consumption of LEDs does not exceed 2.5 A. The turn-on time for models of this type is about 6 ms. If we consider 25 V LEDs, then they only use a pulse transceiver. Many models have one amplifier. The driver is connected using a converter. The luminous flux parameter is around 65 lm. The turn-on time for LEDs of this type is 7 ms.
LED 640 (LEDs for flashlights): characteristics, photos
The LED circuit of this series includes a phase-type converter. Filters are used to increase sensitivity. Amplifiers are most often used on a magnetic basis. The luminous efficiency parameter in the devices is 65 lm. It is also important to note that the current consumption does not exceed 4.2 A. The frequency deviation averages 4 Hz.
The service life of this type of LED is three years. The disadvantages of the devices include the low current conductivity of the drivers. Their brightness indicator is extremely low. Light output, as a rule, does not exceed 5%. These 6 volt flashlight LEDs work well.
Using LED 765
The 12V unit uses the specified flashlight LEDs. The 2014 specifications indicate an increased level of current consumption. this modification is equal to 45 lm. It is also important to note that the model is suitable for switching amplifiers. The driver in the device is used at 6.5 microns. Phase interference with these LEDs is not a problem.
Luminous efficiency averages 70 lm. The service life of the device does not exceed four years. The color rendering coefficient is 80%. The model is perfect for flashlights with regulators. In this case, the devices are connected via a contact adapter.
LED 840 circuit
These are compact and universal LEDs for flashlights. The characteristics of the model primarily indicate a high dispersion rate. Its pulsation coefficient reaches a maximum of 80%. The device turn-on time is 5 ms. According to experts, the model is excellent for 12 V flashlights. The amplifier in the device is of the absorbing type.
In total, the model has two drivers. The LED trigger is used with an adapter. To solve problems with heat loss, a capacitor is used as standard. The luminous efficiency of the presented model is 67 lm. The conductivity indicator does not exceed 10 microns. In this case, the current consumption is 0.3. The minimum permissible LED temperature is only -10 degrees. The model does not have an overheating protection system.
Characteristics of LED 827
Models with are suitable for the indicated LEDs for flashlights. The characteristics of the device indicate the presence of high-quality wired transceivers. The amplifiers of the model are installed in an open type. The device uses two capacitors in total. They do an excellent job of minimizing heat loss. The minimum permissible LED temperature is -15 degrees.
They are not suitable for 15V flashlights. The protection system in the device is used with filters. The model has a driver for 4.5 microns. Current consumption is no more than 4 A. The LED turn-on time is on average 6 ms. The pulsation coefficient of the model is 85%. Luminous efficiency, as a rule, does not exceed 50 lm.
LED 830
These flashlight LEDs are perfect for 10V devices. Their characteristics are quite good. The turn-on time is 5 ms, the luminous efficiency is 65 lm, and the current consumption is 3.3 A. The model uses a phase-type converter. According to experts, the model is not suitable for 15 V flashlights.
There is no transceiver in the indicated LED. The driver itself is installed with a conductivity of 4.5 microns. Problems with current rectification are solved thanks to capacitors. The pulsation coefficient of the model reaches a maximum of 90%. The service life of the presented device is three years. The minimum permissible LED temperature does not exceed -20 degrees.
Characteristics of LED series LB
The specified LED is suitable for 15 V flashlights. The characteristics of the model indicate an increased color rendering coefficient. The output voltage of the model is 15 V. The filter in the device is of the wave type. The driver in this case is connected via a conductor. The LED transceiver is used with an adapter. The capacitor is installed in an open type. The model has two triggers in total. In this case, the energy consumption is 2.5 A.
The luminous flux of the device reaches a maximum of 65 lm. The pulsation coefficient of the model is insignificant. Also, the disadvantages can be attributed to the low level of the minimum permissible temperature. A Chinese LED flashlight turns on in 4 ms. The model rarely has problems with current rectification. This model is not suitable for 10V flashlights. The LED does not have an overheating protection system. The frequency deviation of the model is 5 Hz. These Cree flashlight LEDs work great.
daylight
These LEDs for flashlights are produced with high-quality pulse-type amplifiers. In total, the model has two capacitors. The transceiver is standard wired type. It is also important to note that the maximum frequency deviation is 4 Hz. The current consumption of the LED does not exceed 3 A. The luminous flux of the device is 70 lm. The light output of the model is insignificant.
According to experts, the model is excellent for 12 V flashlights. The driver is directly connected via an adapter. On average, the turn-on time is 6 ms. The service life of the presented model is 5 years. The minimum permissible LED temperature is -15 degrees.
TB series (warm white light)
These are simple and inexpensive LEDs for flashlights. The characteristics of the device indicate that the color rendering coefficient of the model is low. It is also important to note that the output voltage is 8 V. The LED lifespan is three years. The transceiver of the modification is used with high sensitivity. In total, the model has two capacitors. According to experts, the device is not suitable for 10 V flashlights. The current consumption of the model is 2 A. The LED luminous flux reaches a maximum of 65 lm.
Problems with negative modulation are rare. The disadvantages include only a small conductivity parameter. Filters in the device are used only of the open type. The maximum frequency deviation of the LED reaches 5 Hz. To reduce the sensitivity, a trigger is used on the capacitor. The pulsation coefficient of the model is insignificant. To install the LED, a wire adapter is required.
Features of LED models of the LHB series (cold white light)
These LEDs have good characteristics. First of all, it is important to note that the color rendering coefficient is 80%. In this case, the service life is three years. The direct output voltage is 12 V. The turn-on time is 5 ms. In this case, the amplifier is used with an adapter. According to experts, problems with heat loss are rare. The model's capacitors are of the pass-through type.
Flashlights can be upgraded with a chip. A lithium battery charge controller is sufficient for this. You can consider using charger boards with TP 4056 in conventional flashlights:
To operate, you will need batteries from old mobile phones. Their containers must be the same size. Suitable balanced batteries are soldered into a block. One application uses a current of 1.5 A, and the other uses 1 A. Depending on the connected power supply, charging time ranges from 1-3 hours.
Any old camping flashlight can be converted into a 18650 lithium battery. All you need to do is draw a signet slightly smaller than the original. When charging is connected, the device should work.
After this, you can try replacing the acid battery. A type 18650 battery and a TR 4056 storage device are connected to the flashlight. The capacity of the receiving power supply is 1.3 A.
The process of converting a flashlight to a lithium battery is illustrated in detail in the following example. The original device has an incandescent light bulb and is infected from the network.
The gel battery built into the case has served its useful life. It can be revived by installing 4 parallel lithium batteries of 800 mA each into the unit. A pair of 60 mA and 150 mA LEDs will allow you to increase the functionality of the device.
The place of the retractable fork is occupied by an additional aluminum radiator plate. You can also place an SMD LED here. Recommended operating current: 150 mA. Instead of a light bulb, it is enough to install a round LED with a power of 60 mA and a diameter of about 8 mm.
The free space corresponds in size to the finished TP 4056 storage device. The old power LED has a suitable hole, so there will be no problems installing a new one on the board. First you need to cut a conical charge indicator out of plexiglass and glue it into the case. The result is a compact pocket flashlight with a large energy resource of up to 3.2 A and the ability to recharge from 5V.
Additional protection for the device will be provided by protective plexiglass. It is added to the design in order to protect the LED from dust. The photo of the disassembled body clearly shows all the insides of the converted lantern. It is permissible to install a boost converter into the empty space. This will add useful features to the device. For example, you can easily recharge your mobile phone.
Through simple transformations, any old device will continue to serve its owner in a new capacity. To do this, it is enough to use a modern electronic database.
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To an uninitiated person it may seem that there is nothing complicated in choosing a flashlight. Really, what is there to choose from? Light bulb, battery and housing.
However, in reality everything is not so simple. Modern LEDs have long been used instead of light bulbs, the variety of batteries and accumulators can make your head spin, and the technologies and materials used in modern flashlights have migrated straight from the space field. Therefore, when choosing the device that is right for you, you need to take into account many different factors and characteristics.
Purpose of purchase
First of all, you need to decide what functions the flashlight should perform. Perhaps you just need to illuminate yourself in a dark entrance. Then the model should be extremely compact and economical.
It's a completely different matter if you're going out into nature or going on an evening bike ride. In the first case, a head-mounted model is best suited, as it leaves your hands free. Cyclists should pay attention to the presence of a powerful beam, an emergency flasher and the possibility of mounting it on the handlebars.
Each flashlight is designed to be used in specific situations, so you need to think about this before purchasing. For example, the popular Convoy C8 flashlight is not very compact in size, so it is unlikely to be suitable for daily use.
But this model has a durable aluminum case with moisture protection. The flashlight features a powerful, narrow beam that can shine up to 200 meters. Therefore, Convoy C8 is ideal for use outdoors, in the countryside, or in any situations where you need to illuminate very distant objects.
The flashlight has several brightness modes. In addition, there is an SOS signal mode, which can be useful in an emergency situation.
Main settings
After determining the goal, you should proceed to a careful analysis of the technical characteristics. By the way, there are not so few of them. To understand some of them, you will have to brush up on your knowledge of the school physics course.
Here is a short list of characteristics:
- Brightness determines the amount of light coming out.
- Luminous intensity shows how effectively brightness is used. It characterizes the quality of the optical system: LED, reflector, focusing system, electronic control circuit.
- Range is measured in meters and records the distance at which illumination remains at 0.25 lux.
- Operating time is defined as the time period during which the brightness drops from maximum to 10% value.
- Protection against environmental conditions is determined according to the international standard IEC 60529 and is indicated by an alphanumeric code. More information about the degrees of protection can be found in.
What should you pay attention to first?
First of all, we should be interested in the brightness of the device, on which other parameters depend. However, it should be taken into account that different manufacturers may use different methods for determining the luminous flux for their flashlights. Some measure the luminous flux coming out directly from a lamp or diode, without taking into account losses in optics, which allows one to obtain slightly inflated values.
Other manufacturers indicate the luminous flux at the exit of the flashlight, taking into account losses on the reflector, glass or lens. This method of measurement is more objective, but the output numbers are smaller than in the first case.
To put things in order, a special standard, ANSI/NEMA FL-1, was adopted in 2009, allowing for more reliable comparison of device parameters. Most popular LED flashlight manufacturers now use it.
A good example is the JETBeam E10R flashlight. It has a miniature size, which allows you to easily carry it in your pocket, purse or even handbag. At the same time, the brightness of the beam is 650 lumens, which is more than enough in urban environments.
The presence of five modes in the JETBeam E10R significantly expands the scope of its application. So, the minimum level allows you to simply illuminate a few meters in front of you. But in maximum brightness mode, the beam hits the eyes so that it can be used to protect against attack.
The anodized body of the flashlight is reliably protected from water and can survive a drop from a height of up to one meter. The presence of a built-in microUSB charger for an AA-size battery means you don’t have to worry about buying batteries.
Nutrition
Modern flashlights can use different batteries and rechargeable batteries as an energy source. The brightness of the beam, operating time and the final cost of the device depend on the type of power supply, so this issue should be taken seriously.
If you need a flashlight from time to time, you can use regular AA or AAA batteries. They are inexpensive and sold at any retail outlet.
The price of batteries is much higher, and you will also have to take care of a special charger. However, this investment will quickly pay off if you use the flashlight regularly.
Good LED flashlights most often use 18650 batteries. They have become popular due to their reliability, safety and long service life. Such elements provide high energy density, cope well with high discharge currents and can operate over a wide temperature range.
A typical flashlight with a similar battery is the EagleEye X2R. It has a medium-sized, durable aluminum body with a diamond-shaped notch, thanks to which it fits securely in the palm of your hand. The device has IP65 dust and water protection.
EagleEye X2R shines a focused beam of neutral white light up to 100 meters away. There are three brightness modes, switching between them using a button located on the end.
The flashlight is powered by one 18650 battery. The main feature of the EagleEye X2R is the presence of a built-in charger. On the case there is a microUSB connector closed with a tight plug, and next to it there is a colored charging indicator. Owners of this flashlight can save on a separate charger and recharge the battery directly in the flashlight.