14500 batteries

[Forestlands]

Hi,

Buying a new torch for walking dog over fields at night, have to spot foxes before he does! Some torches mention using 14500 battery for a stronger beam, have not the faintest idea what these are! Have just bought a new battery charger for AA and AAA batteries that I have been using on present torches. Will I need to buy a different charger for the 14500 batteries?

Any info., recommendations if allowed here, on dog walking torches most welcome! Thanks very much! Always a wealth of info. here!

 

[alan333]

14500 batteries are similar to AA batteries, but they're different sizes at 14mm wide by 50mm long (you can see where they got the 14500) and operate at 3.7 volts. They're commonly used in customised e-cigarettes etc. You'll need an appropriate charger unless your existing one can handle 3.7v batteries.

See this site for some info on batteries...
http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/

As a separate note, Eneloop AA/AAA rechargeable batteries get a great name by folks who use them professionally, like photographers with flash guns etc.

 

[ericmark]

The 14500 has protection built in the AA, AAA does not the problem with AA is there are many versions of rechargeable from 650 mAh to 3000 mAh and 1.3 and 1.5 volt although I only have one of the latter. I use a bike lamp from Lidi which has 4 AA cells and two light outputs. I used it during fireworks display to ensure the drop zone was clear together with others using very expensive lights. Yes theirs were better but 4 times weight, my bike light was ample for the job. As to foxes the ones around here will not get caught by a single dog it requires a pack to catch them. The problem is not the dog catching the fox but the owner catching the dog. Landowners around here will shoot loose dogs so very few places safe to let them off the lead.

 

[Dave54]

Watch out for the batteries that come with some of these torches. The torches seem OK, and in fact we have a couple that are excellent and take the 18650 batteries. However the ones that came with the torches (see the site alan linked to above) are well under capacity and appear to have no protection circuit.
A decent charger (ie not the ones that you get with the torches) and good quality batteries are a must IMHO.

 

[Spark123]

I use one of these: http://www.ledlenser-store.co.uk/head-torches-c71/h7r-2-rechargeable-led-head-torch-p965
I get a few hours out of a charge and it is fairly bright with a focusable beam. The LED is also dimmable.
It uses it's own Li battery and comes with a USB mains charger.
When I first got it I found it started dulling after a while, I just had to switch the energy saving function off.
Also you can have a solid/flashing red light on the back.

 

[Forestlands]

Thanks folks for all the great replies!! Duty calls, dog waiting for walk across the fields! Look forward to reading and digesting your replies when I get back, will check out the websites too. Let you know tomorrow how I got on! Thanks again, your help is much appreciated! Have a good evening!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Buying a new torch for walking dog over fields at night, have to spot foxes before he does!

1) He has a sense of smell you can't begin to really comprehend.
2) He has much better night vision than you.
3) You've got no chance.
4) But the fox does - your dog has an equally low chance of chasing it down.

Some torches mention using 14500 battery for a stronger beam, have not the faintest idea what these are! Have just bought a new battery charger for AA and AAA batteries that I have been using on present torches. Will I need to buy a different charger for the 14500 batteries?

I would have thought that LED torches/lanterns would be just fine using regular batteries.

Any info., recommendations if allowed here, on dog walking torches most welcome! Thanks very much! Always a wealth of info. here!

But seriously - try here for specialist advice