I've read this entire string and a few thoughts keep sticking out in my mind. At the risk of being cynical here, I'm going to go out on a limb.
DC is pretty basic stuff and regardless of the marketing (by light, tester, and battery makers), it remains basic. After all, the current draw of a steadily hot filament is far more consistent than many other tasks performed by batteries. The following could also be logical:
DC is pretty basic stuff and regardless of the marketing (by light, tester, and battery makers), it remains basic. After all, the current draw of a steadily hot filament is far more consistent than many other tasks performed by batteries. The following could also be logical:
- Some bad battery lots are being thrown in with some good battery lots at the factory. It's nasty business, but it happens. One should never underestimate greed -- some more than others.
- Brand names invest money in their names. They have a "vested" interest in protecting that name branding. Non-brand names invest little or nothing in their names so they sell value against the brand names. Caveat emptor.
- Doing a good job -- and not getting caught doing a bad job -- is the same thing.
[*]Users should not mix bad batteries with good. Distributors should not sell them either. - A good adjustable Fluke meter (or other) can test your batteries (with a load applied).
[*]When does metering good consistent voltage across the terminals (with resistance at current) still reflect a bad battery? Need more insight on that one. - Inconsistency with testing devises is caused by inconsistent testing devises. They cost 40 bucks for Pete's sake! They're helpful, but far from lab bench quality. What's with the NASA reference? I'm sure post-Apollo-13-NASA is more concerned about accurate battery measurements than 20-percent increments on an LED array (and post-Apollo 13 astronauts now test their batteries with their tongues while holding a light bulb).
- Any "pulse" applied with recovery is no more "real world" than a steady load without recovery would be to other users -- unless it's a marital aid. Flashlights are a relatively steady drain.
- Marketing hype is not fact, it's sales. It's worse when it's believed.
- I've spent a lot of money on a light/batteries/devise. I can not have been duped. Unfortunately, the sale is over.
- When in doubt, buy something.
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