Pacific Tech Notes

[RobynS]

PEAK LED SOLUTIONS

PACIFIC TECH NOTES

26 FEB 2006

Our goal in producing the Pacific line of Peak LED Solutions flashlights was to use a single, low cost, generic alkaline AAA battery in a High Power operation, which would duplicate the output and run time of the Peak 7 LED Ultra Power McKinley using a single CR123A lithium battery. The use of optional battery packs to tailor the light to different applications instead of buying different lights was also a consumer value goal.

Designing a high output LED flashlight for the alkaline AAA battery with good run time is a challenge. The alkaline AAA battery specifications call for a continuous maxium output of 30 mA per hour. AAA battery capacity is determined at a constant draw at 25 mA. Higher current draws can severely decrease the overall capacity of the battery by as much as one third.

The current draw from the 1.5 volt alkaline AAA battery for the High Power Pacific is 210 mA. This is 7 times the recommended maximum constant current output for this type of battery. (All numbers given are nominal, subject to individual differences of electronic components and batteries.) As a reference, an unregulated single 5 mm LED single alkaline AAA flashlight that outputs 43 foot candles will draw 240 mA. The Peak LED Solutions 3 LED Ultra Power Matterhorn that outputs 110 foot candles has a draw of 280 mA.

Our testing procedure for the Pacific line of Peak LED Solutions flashlights:

A random sample of 20 completed High Power heads was selected and tested with 2 alkaline AAA batteries, (3 volts), for light output. The output range was from 284 foot candles to a high of 335 foot candles. A Pacific head with an output of 313 foot candles was chosen as a test standard. All batteries used in our testing are low cost generic brands. Premium or brand name batteries may give 5 % to 10 % increase in run time, but in our opinion do not justify the increased cost.

Each run is for 24 hours except for the alkaline AA which was allowed to run longer. More test runs will follow in this thread as they are completed. The AA and AAA battery tests will include three types of batteries in three types of battery compartments, for a total of 9 runs for the Pacific High Power series. Plus a CR-2 lithium battery test. We do not recommend the Li-on battery of over 3 volts output in the Pacific.

The test equipment is an Extech Light Meter using their Data Acquisition Program monitored by a HP Pavilion computer, and saved in Microsoft Excel. Current battery draw measurements are taken with an Extech Digital Multi-meter by measuring the voltage drop across a one-tenth ohm one per-cent 3 watt resistor.

The electronics for the Pacific were designed for the requirements of the Luxeon LED. This electronics package will not reliably monitor the battery condition of multiple 5 mm LED systems. As a result the output is erratic and will only be used in the Pacific and other future similar projects. You will note that in some low cost 1 watt competitive flashlights, that they can drop up to 25% of initial output during the first 10 minutes of constant run, and may be dead or in "moon mode" light output after only about 90 minutes. The Peak LED Solutions Pacific with a single alkaline AAA at 10 minutes has a drop of only 5%. And at one hour of continuous run the light output drop is only 13%. The electronics in the Pacific maintains a relatively flat output until it recognizes that the battery can no longer supply full power, then it goes into a battery saver operating mode. This changeover normally takes only 2 seconds or less. This is not what you may be used to in reference as to "moon mode" operation, (less than 5 foot candles output). In the battery saver operating mode, the new output is 50% of the original start-up output. And then has a 'long tail' of many hours of useful light output. After 6 hours of constant run, the single alkaline AAA Pacific High Power has more light output than any single 5 mm single alkaline AAA LED flashlight at start-up. And some are totally dead at just over 6 hours.

Test results, single alkaline AAA battery, Pacific High Power:

Start 208 cP Drop Output % Drop Hours
10 minutes 198 cP 10 cP 5%
30 minutes 189 cP 19 cP 9%
60 minutes 182 cP 26 cP 13% 1 hour
104 minutes 175 cP 33 cP 16%
105 minutes 108 cP 100 cP 48%
120 minutes 106 cP 102 cP 49% 2 hours
180 minutes 91 cP 117 cP 56% 3 hours
240 minutes 79 cP 129 cP 62% 4 hours
300 minutes 67 cP 141 cP 68% 5 hours
360 minutes 46 cP 162 cP 78% 6 hours
420 minutes 36 cP 172 cP 83% 7 hours
480 minutes 28 cP 180 cP 87% 8 hours
540 minutes 23 cP 185 cP 89% 9 hours
600 minutes 18 cP 190 cP 91% 10 hours
720 minutes 12 cP 196 cP 94% 12 hours
900 minutes 7 cP 201 cP 97% 15 hours
1080 minutes 4 cP 204 cP 98% 18 hours
1440 minutes 2 cP 206 cP 99% 24 hours

At 9 hours the single alkaline AAA Pacific High Power produced as much light as the original single 5 mm single alkaline AAA LED flashlight of 4 years ago and at 12 hours the Pacific equals the light output of the original single 5 mm single alkaline AA LED flashlight of 5 years ago. Typical "moon mode" output is achieved at about 18 hours of constant running.

We will be adding additional test results as they are processed.

Thank you

 

[Grubbster]

Great data Robyn! My Pacific was waiting for me when I got home today. Are you going to do data with lithium AAA and NiMH?
Nice looking light; can't wait to give it a good try.

 

[Roger11]

Hi Robyn, as you know I am one of the Beta testers. I asked in another thread if RCR32 could be used and was told it could. RCR32 is typically 3.7 volts at least 10440 AAA batteries are. Is it all right to use these? I have done this but only for brief times. What do you think?

Also, my "kit" did not include AA size battery tubes, it had CR2 and AAA, two of both.

 

[Sigman]

This one's certainly lookin' like a keeper!! :thumbsup:

 

[Lebkuecher]

Very impressive!!! I also like the looks of the light.

When I first read about the light I was under the impression that it was going to be a keychain light. This was my assumption and not directly related to anything that was posted. I now understand what you are accomplishing and although it's not what I was expecting it still something that I look forward to having. I still can't believe the results your getting on a AAA battery, never thought it was possible.

Thanks for sharing Robyn

 

[BentHeadTX]

Very interesting how the Pacific regulator works,
I call it the "anti-Murphy's Law" light. Under normal use, after say 2 hours the sudden drop in brightness to around half output is noticable indicating battery saver mode. That is when I normally make a mental note to change the battery. It is also the perfect moment for Murphy to step in and you need several hours of light as your battery starts to die. On average, the batteries in my flashlights are half-dead so cut normal runtimes in half. Not a very good feeling to know my work EDC has an average of 75 minutes of light left in it (before it starts strobing) so the keychain Matterhorn is my runtime champ.
The thing that I find great is the built-in "nag factor" or when the battery starts to go a little low, turning the light on will give an initial burst of brightness then drop the output 50% to a decent output. Even the most forgetful person will notice the drop eventually and change the battery. Nice to know that even if the Pacific gives the 50% drop upon activation that it has 12 hours of useful light left and another 10 hours of dim light if needed.
The Pacific is not a retina searing wow! light with 30 minutes of runtime but a very bright AAA light that will adjust itself to be an ultra-long runtime light to get you home when needed.
When I get mine, I'll wire a switch attached to a selectable resistor bank through the removable negative stud. Just wondering what resistance it would take to "trick" the regulator into battery saving mode. (nudge, nudge... wink, wink... say no more)

 

[RobynS]

PEAK LED SOLUTIONS

PACIFIC TECH NOTES

28 FEB 2006

This is the run time test of the Peak LED Solutions Pacific High Power LED flashlight using the alkaline AA battery. The alkaline AA battery was designed for a higher constant current draw then the alkaline AAA battery used in the first test. At a maximum continuous output of 130 mA per hour, the Pacific only draws 1.6 times the maximum recommended constant current output of the alkaline AA battery. Therefore the actual percentage of capacity decrease of the AA battery is less in this application than that of the AAA battery.

Test results, single alkaline AA battery, Pacific High Power:

Start 216 cP Drop Output % Drop Hours
10 minutes 209 cP 7 cP 3%
30 minutes 204 cP 12 cP 6%
60 minutes 198 cP 18 cP 8% 1 hours
120 minutes 193 cP 23 cP 11% 2 hours
180 minutes 189 cP 27 cP 13% 3 hours
240 minutes 185 cP 31 cP 15% 4 hours
300 minutes 182 cP 34 cP 16% 5 hours
318 minutes 181 cP 35 cP 16%
319 minutes 111 cP 105 cP 49%
360 minutes 109 cP 107 cP 50% 6 hours
420 minutes 101 cP 115 cP 54% 7 hours
480 minutes 93 cP 123 cP 57% 8 hours
540 minutes 85 cP 131 cP 61% 9 hours
600 minutes 77 cP 139 cP 65% 10 hours
720 minutes 49 cP 167 cP 77% 12 hours
900 minutes 33 cP 183 cP 85% 15 hours
1080 minutes 22 cP 194 cP 90% 18 hours
1440 minutes 13 cP 203 cP 94% 24 hours
2880 minutes 7.6 cP 208 cP 96% 48 hours
4320 minutes 1.6 cP 214 cP 99% 72 hours

 

[BentHeadTX]

RobynS,
Woops! I need to learn how to read! Any chance to get a lithium AAA runtime chart? That is my battery of preference so can I go on the original 5 hours of runtime or did that change?
Any estimated release date for the HA-III version with option 1AA and 2AAA bodies? Put me down for two.

 

[Solstice]

Sounds very good! There are just too many common battery based lights coming out right now, but this one may just be the leader in terms of circuitry.

Any chance we can finally see some picts of the aluminium version? You guys gotta have one that you can throw by the waterfall and grab some picts of, right?

 

[RobynS]

PEAK LED SOLUTIONS

PACIFIC TECH NOTES

1 MAR 2006

This is the run time test of the Peak LED Solutions Pacific High Power LED flashlight with 3 different battery systems. Two different 3 volt systems, and a lithium 1 x AAA L92 will be tested.

The first test is of the single CR2 Lithium house brand from the Battery Station. Average capacity is 800 mA to 2.0 volts cutoff at 100 ohm draw down for 31 hours. Maximum discharge is 1000 mA for 22 minutes to 2.0 volts cutoff. Typical current draw from the Pacific High Power is a nominal 185 mA in the 3 volt input power mode. This is a Lithium/Manganese Dioxide chemical composition battery.

Test results, single lithium CR2 battery, Pacific High Power:

…………… Start……………305 cP…….…..Drop….Output % Drop……Hours
……………10 minutes……...296 cP……....…..9 cP……..…3%
……………30 minutes……...294 cP……..…..11 cP………..4%
……………60 minutes……...292 cP……..…..13 cP………..4%................1 hour
……………120 minutes…….290 cP……..…..15 cP…....…..5%................2 hours
……………180 minutes…….272 cP…..……..33 cP…...…..11%...............3 hours
……………203 minutes…….176 cP………..129 cP…….....42%
……………204 minutes…….136 cP………..169 cP……….56%
……………240 minutes……...25 cP………..280 cP…...…..92%................4 hours
……………300 minutes…..….14 cP.…...…..291 cP…….....95%................5 hours
……………360 minutes…..….12 cP………..293 cP……….96% ...............6 hours
……………420 minutes……….9 cP………..296 cP……….97%................7 hours
……………480 minutes…..….. 7 cP………..298 cP……….98%................8 hours
……………540 minutes…..….. 6 cP …….....299 cP……….98%................9 hours
……………600 minutes…...…. 5 cP………..300 cP……….98%................10 hours
……………720 minutes…...…. 4 cP………..301 cP……….99%................12 hours
……………900 minutes…....….3 cP………..302 cP……….99%................15 hours

The next test run is another 3 volt system, but this time using 2 alkaline AAA batteries. These are of a Zinc-Manganese Dioxide chemical composition.

Test results, 2 x AAA alkaline battery, Pacific High Power:

…………… Start……………326 cP…….…..Drop….Output % Drop……Hours
……………10 minutes……...311 cP……..…..15 cP……..…5%
……………30 minutes……...302 cP……..…..24 cP………..7%
……………60 minutes……...298 cP……..…..28 cP………..9%.................1 hour
……………120 minutes…….289 cP……..…..37 cP….........11%................2 hours
……………180 minutes…….277 cP…..……..49 cP…...…..15%................3 hours
……………218 minutes…….247 cP……..…..79 cP…….....24%
……………219 minutes…….142 cP………..184 cP……….56%
……………240 minutes……...16 cP………..310 cP…...…..95%................4 hours
……………300 minutes…..….10 cP.…...…..316 cP…….....97%................5 hours
……………360 minutes…..….10 cP………..316 cP……….96% ...............6 hours
……………420 minutes……….9 cP………..317 cP……….97%................7 hours
……………480 minutes…..….. 9 cP………..317 cP……….97%................8 hours
……………540 minutes…..….. 9 cP …….....317 cP……….97%................9 hours
……………600 minutes…...…. 9 cP………..317 cP……….97%................10 hours
……………720 minutes…...…. 8 cP………..318 cP……….97%................12 hours
……………900 minutes…....….8 cP………..318 cP……….97%................15 hours
………..…1080 minutes…...…. 7 cP………..319 cP……….98%................18 hours
………..…1440 minutes…...…. 5 cP………..321 cP……….99%................24 hours

7 candlepower is about the same output as most low cost coin cell key-chain flashlights. One of those was used a while back to traverse 3 miles of no moonlight rough Arizona terrain, after spending too much time on a rock climb, (my brother). This is one reason we prefer to have long run times rather than having the light flame and then go dead as is common with some competitive flashlights.

This next test is using the AAA Lithium L92 battery. This battery is rated at 1250 mA to 1.0 volt. Rated capacity is at a constant drain of 100 mA. This battery is of a Lithium/Iron Disulfide chemical composition.

Test results, single lithium AAA battery, Pacific High Power:

…………… Start……………229 cP…….…..Drop….Output % Drop……Hours
……………10 minutes……...215 cP……..…..14 cP……..…6%
……………30 minutes……...214 cP……..…..15 cP………..7%
……………60 minutes……...212 cP……..…..17 cP………..7%................1 hour
……………120 minutes…….211 cP……..…..18 cP…....…..8%................2 hours
……………180 minutes…….208 cP…..……..21 cP…....…..9%................3 hours
……………240 minutes….....204 cP……..…..25 cP…...…..11%...............4 hours
……………298 minutes…….187 cP……..…..42 cP…….....18%
……………299 minutes…….107 cP………..122 cP……….53%
……………300 minutes…….109 cP.…...…..120 cP…….....52%................5 hours
……………360 minutes…..….19 cP………..210 cP……….92% ...............6 hours
……………420 minutes…...…..4 cP………..225 cP……….98%................7 hours

 

[BentHeadTX]

Thanks for all those charts,
Five hours on a lithium AAA is great runtime and the extra two hours of dim light should be long enough for me to find another battery.
If I go hiking with your brother, I'll have my Pacifics loaded with alkaline AAA batteries for that extra runtime.

 

[RobynS]

Thanks for all those charts,
Five hours on a lithium AAA is great runtime and the extra two hours of dim light should be long enough for me to find another battery.
If I go hiking with your brother, I'll have my Pacifics loaded with alkaline AAA batteries for that extra runtime.

Fortunately, now my brother has more than an ample supply of Peak lights, I don't think he will ever be in that situation again - at least he had better not!!

 

[Grubbster]

Interesting charts. It looks as though it would not be cost effective to use the lithium AAA in this light unless cold temperature were an issue. Amazing numbers on the alkaline AAA. I also like the CR2 numbers. I guess I will be getting one of those bodies as well as a AA body.

 

[SAKLED]

RobynS, thank you and Peak for taking the time to post these runtimes. I am sure that I speak for many of us "spec junkies" who thrive off candlepower, runtime and just numbers in general.

I will be ordering a Pacific in the near future in stainless steel. If you are not burned-out on running these battery tests, do you think you could run one more? How about a test with lithium AA?

Thanks again for going above and beyond what most manufacturers would do for us CPF members.

 

[BentHeadTX]

. If you are not burned-out on running these battery tests, do you think you could run one more? How about a test with lithium AA?

I was looking at Silverfox's battery runtime tests at a half amp load with Energizer AA and AAA lithium batteries. E2 AA 3484 mAH and E2 AAA 1363 mAH or the AA has 155% more capacity. Figure 150% to make it easy so the Pacific should run at least 12 hours on a lithium AA at regulated brightness.

 

[BrightIdeaOSU]

I am impressed by this light in all configurations. It is bright enough, light enough, and long running enough for virtually any task save spotlight/blinding baddies duty. I've got my CPF special for that.

--Aaron

 

[RobynS]

PEAK LED SOLUTIONS

PACIFIC TECH NOTES

6 MARCH 2006


Here are two more battery run time tests of the Peak LED Solutions Pacific High Power pocket flashlight. The first test is of the AA Lithium L91 battery. This is of a Lithium/Iron Disulfide chemical composition. It is rated at 2900 mAh at a constant drain of 200 mA. The battery drain with a 1.5 volt input by the Pacific High Power is a nominal 210 mA. Using the AA Lithium L91 battery, the Pacific High Power does not incur a substantial degenerative effect on this battery's output.

We ran two back to back tests with batteries from the same package to confirm the results from the first test. In the second test the output was a consistent 4 candlepower higher and ran to 789 minutes before changeover, as compared to 772 minutes with the first test. We are presenting the first test in the following table. As always, test results will vary from battery to battery and different flashlights. We try when practical, to offer results that are average instead of selected best.


Test results, single L91 Lithium AA battery, Pacific High Power:

…………… Start……………230 cP………..Drop….Output % Drop……Hours
……………10 minutes……...220 cP………..10 cP…………4%
……………30 minutes……...220 cP………..10 cP…………4%
……………60 minutes……...220 cP………..10 cP…………4%................1 hour
……………120 minutes…….219 cP………..11 cP…………5%................2 hours
……………180 minutes…….219 cP………..11 cP…………5%................3 hours
……………240 minutes…….218 cP………..12 cP…………5%................4 hours
……………300 minutes…….218 cP………..12 cP…………5%................5 hours
……………360 minutes…….217 cP………..13 cP…………6% ...............6 hours
……………420 minutes…….215 cP………..15 cP…………7%................7 hours
……………480 minutes…….214 cP………..16 cP…………7%................8 hours
……………540 minutes…….212 cP …….....18 cP…………8%................9 hours
……………600 minutes….…211 cP………..19 cP…………8%................10 hours
……………720 minutes….…205 cP………..25 cP………...11%................12 hours
……………772 minutes…….190 cP………..40 cP………...17%...............12.9 hours
……………773 minutes…….137 cP……….105 cP….…….46%
……………780 minutes…….116 cP……….183 cP….…….80%................13 hours
……………800 minutes……....68cP……….194 cP….…….84%................
……………820 minutes………14cP……….203 cP….…….88%................
……………830 minutes….........9 cP……….208 cP…….….91%..................
……………840 minutes……….6 cP…...…..214 cP…….….94%.................14 hours

At an average usage of 4 minutes per day, that would be equivalent to two L91 Lithium batteries per year at maximum light output.

The second test is with two NiMH rechargeable batteries, the combined output is 2.4 volts. These are also high drain batteries with an average capacity of 850 mAh. This is based on a 170 mA (0.2C) discharge rate. The internal resistance of the cell varies with the state of charge. A fully charged cell has an internal resistance of 100 milliohms while one that has been discharged to one-half of capacity, has an internal resistance of 1200 milliohms. Internal resistance of alkaline and Lithium batteries is related to current discharge rate and not that of remaining capacity.

It must be remembered that when placed in series, the rated capacity of 850 mAh does not change. Only the voltage is doubled, the electronics then outputs more current to the LED and increases the light output by approximately 50%. This does not substantially alter the run time from that of a single battery by more than 50%. If the batteries could be placed in parallel, then the run time would be increased at the cost of light output. This gives you the option of being able to tailor the Pacific to your individual requirements for a particular application, utilizing different battery compartments and different battery types.

Test results, NiMH 2 x AAA battery, Pacific High Power:

…………… Start……………328 cP………..Drop….Output % Drop……Hours
……………10 minutes……...317 cP………..11 cP………...3%
……………30 minutes……...311 cP………..17 cP………...5%
……………60 minutes……...308 cP………..20 cP………...6%................1 hour
……………120 minutes…….306 cP………..22 cP………...7%................2 hours
……………170 minutes…….277 cP………..40 cP……….12%..............2.8 hours
……………171 minutes…….146 cP………182 cP……….55%
……………180 minutes……...80 cP……….248 cP………75%................3 hours
……………200 minutes……...38 cP……….290 cP………88%................
……………220 minutes……...24 cP……….304 cP………93%................
……………240 minutes……...19 cP……….309 cP………94% ...............4 hours
……………300 minutes……...10 cP……….318 cP………97%................5 hours
……………360 minutes…….. ..7 cP……….321 cP………98%................6 hours
……………420 minutes…….. ..5 cP ……....323 cP………99%................7 hours

We believe that the Pacific High Power from Peak LED Solutions has set a new standard for candlepower output combined with battery run time for pocket sized production LED flashlights.

 

[MagLED II]

Thanks for all the Tech notes!

this light is going to be great! I have $60 buning a whole in my pocket waiting to get a Stainless steel Pacific. This is just the light I have been looking for, a balance of run time and brightness.

thanks again for all the tech notes!

 

[ViReN]

Thats a Killer Runtimes... Great Info Robyn

 

[RobynS]

PEAK LED SOLUTIONS

PACIFIC TECH NOTES

7 MARCH 2006





Test results, single NiMH AAA battery, Pacific High Power:

…………… Start……………217 cP………..Drop….Output % Drop……Hours
……………10 minutes……...209 cP……..…..8 cP……..…4%
……………30 minutes……...206 cP………..11 cP………..5%
……………60 minutes……...204 cP………..13 cP………..6%................1 hour
……………120 minutes…….201 cP………..16 cP………..7%................2 hours
……………147 minutes…….180 cP………..37 cP……….17%.............2.4 hours
……………148 minutes…….118 cP………..99 cP……….46%
……………180 minutes……...59 cP………150 cP……….70%................3 hours
……………240 minutes……...22 cP………195 cP……….90%................4 hours
……………300 minutes……...12 cP………205 cP………..94%................5 hours
……………360 minutes……….8 cP………207 cP………..97% ...............6 hours
……………420 minutes……….5 cP………212 cP………..98%................7 hours
……………480 minutes…….. ..4 cP………213 cP………..98%................8 hours