Single AA alkaline emptier

[CQ73]

So I have access to a lot of nearly dead AA batteries from my job, and I'd like a fairly cheap flashlight to use them up totally. Preference would be something that can go very dim for reading at night, and which has an operating voltage cutoff that is pretty low. Of course I wouldn't mind if it also goes very bright, but I do have plenty of lights that already do that.

Bonus points if it's still pretty easy to open if an alkaline battery leaks and clogs things up!

 

[jon_slider]

fairly cheap

Convoy T5

 

[sbslider]

Sold/Expired Post in thread 'datiLED Battery Drainers & Micro Lanterns'

Apr 4, 2022

So what exactly are these for? Do they need a host? Can you show one in use?

The Volt Vamp battery drainers can drain partially depleted batteries down below 0.6V. They are ideal for power outages, camping or just getting the last lumens from a battery that won't work in anything else. The lanterns have two levels, and can be used for camping, mood lighting, power outages, etc.

They simply stick to the ends of a battery with magnets, and are capable of supporting their own weight horizontally with an AA battery.

I’ll take number 7 please.

PM incoming...

• datiLED

• 

Cheap, but only one mode. For mostly drained cells it will be pretty low. If you PM @datiLED he can tell you if he has any left. I bought 3 about a year ago.

 

[troutpool]

Peak LED Solutions El Capitan.

 

[CQ73]

Thanks for these great suggestions!

 

[archimedes]

Peak LED Solutions El Capitan.

This is what I use also, although a true "joule thief / battery vampire" will take the cells lower

 

[CQ73]

This is what I use also, although a true "joule thief / battery vampire" will take the cells lower

I knew there was a commonly used term for this kind of thing! Thank you for reminding me of it. I may just build some joule thieves

 

[archimedes]

.... Bonus points if it's still pretty easy to open if an alkaline battery leaks and clogs things up!

.... I may just build some joule thieves

You might also find the old thread linked below of interest ...

P

Thread 'The A-AA - an alkaline AA battery vampire'

Mar 8, 2014

A-AA = Alkaline AA

There was some discussion recently about battery vampires and the concern about alkaline battery leakage. The thought then occurred to me that a plastic light with just two simple brass contacts would be able to handle a leaking alkaline cell and could easily be cleaned and returned to service. This is a build log for that light.

The light engine that I'm using for this project is the now discontinued Nite Ize 3-LED drop-in module for the Mini-Mag. One of the nice things about this drop-in is that it will drain a single battery down to a really low voltage, low enough...

• PCC
• Replies: 64
• Forum: Homemade and Modified Flashlights Discussion

That build thread by @PCC was one of my favorites

 

[GMT2330]

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/found-it-the-best-battery-vampire.415901/
A very simple battery vampire is the Niteize 1W 2-6 cell LED bulb and a paper clip.
It will get all the juice from a single 1.5v battery.