Hybrid Lite solar flashlight

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nanZor

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I broke open my Hybrid Lite solar flashlight so you won't have to! :)

Ok, this isn't a tactical flashlight. But it seems pretty rugged, and has a neat system of using internal nimh AAA's for solar storage, while also having a backup of non-rechargeable CR-2032 lithiums.

Problem is, the nimh's aren't user-accessible. The box shows that they will store a charge for 3 years! Could these be the new Sanyo Eneloops inside?

Nope. Inside is a dual-pack of "AONON" 700 mah AAA's. Are they truly LSD or "Low Self Discharge"? My only research on the net for AONON batteries show that the 800ma versions are LSD, nothing specific for the 700's - but time will tell, although I've got a suspicion they are LSD.

The pack seems well built - no bad tack-welds, sloppy wrappers etc. Anti corrosion sticker over the series tab that connects the two together. I even put them on a Maha charger/analyzer and the seem to hold a discharge of about 650ma or so each.

But 10 hours of light from a full charge? For me, about 4 is all I can get. But I don't like to drop my cells to zero, or just glow like a firefly. :)

I'll put the other one I have which IS totally intact, through another round of full charge / discharge cycles outside in bright sun for 2 days and see if I can get more than 4 hours out of it.

Ok, we all wish it had user-replaceable AAA's as the primary solar source, but it seems useful enough for the time being.
 

kb2vxa

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"...but time will tell, although I've got a suspicion they are LSD."
One way to find out, stick one under your tongue and let me know if you see swirling colors and trees start talking to you.
 

nanZor

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Heh, the trees are the ones who suggested a solar-flashlight in the first place. :)

I've got them fully charged, but will have to wait a few days so I can find time to babysit them as I don't want to accidentally discharge them into cell-reversal. I can't imagine the average consumer doing a series of charge/discharge cycles like I am. :) Results to follow...
 

nanZor

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I couldn't stand it anymore, so I cut up the one I damaged to get a reading on the solar array:

Volts: 4.5
Current: 45 milliamps. With plastic covering removed: 55ma
Measurements at noon directed towards sun.

(note: a 100 k-ohm resistor was found soldered across the panel terminals)

Given an average of 4 hours of USEFUL sunlight (ie, 10a-2p when photons are powerful enough to do some real work), I can see why it takes about 5 days to charge up a 700ma battery from a total discharge.

I don't think I'll be using these all night long until they are depeleted, and expecting a single-day's charge to do a lot of good. :) Still I find them interesting and in the go-bag - not as my primary lights, but a fun accessory.
 
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