Batteries for flashlights, radios, etc.

Wow! 800 lumens! A bit more than I would normally pay but not totally out of scope at $60. I will give one a try!

EDIT: Is the battery replaceable? I see that you recharge it while it is still in the flashlight but was just curious if one can replace the battery if it starts to fail.

 

Yes it is and I included a spare factory battery with each one. The batteries also have a USB-C charging port so they are convenient to charge when not in use.

For around a $100 you can get a more powerful version that is also more duty grade. Due to waterproofing the batteries must be removed to charge. I like the smaller one better because the size is so convenient that they actually get taken instead of being left at home. Also when I get into more powerful lights I like headlamps. I really dig the Nightcore HC68 which also has a USB-C port, a very long burn time at low settings and a very comfortable headband. I use it all the time when I'm working on things or tracking the dogs down in the dark. It's also in the $100 range and IMO a better deal.

 

@3M-TA3 "For around a $100 you can get a more powerful version that is also more duty grade."

Which model is that? Size isn't an issue with me so let me know as a more heavy-duty version would probably be better for my lifestyle.

 

The PD35 V3.0 - I suggest you look through the rest of their Law Enforcement section as well. All their flashlights are rugged and their batteries are excellent.

 

Fenix has been good to me. The headlamps usually last over a year of use and knocking around.

 

Remember that if there is a CME or EMP your LED lights will be junk.
Incandescent lights however may sill be functional.

 

FWIW I think LED bulbs will survive an EMP quite well. Two main reasons are, first in a good flashlight they are in an aluminum shell which would tend to shield them and two the leads are so short the amount of voltage generated (and current) should be well within the dissipation of the LED. Not that I don't have a bunch of spare LEDs in a foil pouch. The longer the lead length on the electronic device the larger the potential of the chance for failure.

 

That's kinda what I was thinking.

 

Not saying any house hold LED light ting will survive.....
Lots of long wire lengths to pick up the flux from the sharp rise EMF of the EMP and "Poof".
There will be enough oomph to pop even incandescent light bulbs.
Sooo does everyone have shielded spares socked away?
Nice 40mm ammo can of S base LEDs for the house.
That's only going to be useful if you have some sort of backup power to light them up.
Surprisingly enough experts are saying there is a good chance most solar panels will be OK.
Both NASA's experience with panels in space and some from other agencies doing tests
showing panels are surprisingly resilient to EMP. Don't know The how much I am willing to trust that info.
I can only hope they are right.
Looking at how satellites have weathered the high energy proton storm of the last few days.
Radiation was so strong it fogged the digital cameras aboard some orbital platforms.
Ain't life interesting?

 

I think a big part of the confusion is the terms CMEs. They could come in all sizes. Worst case, we lose the atmosphere and all die as the oceans boil away. Better case, Earth keeps the atmosphere but high power transmission lines melt to slag and we all die or go crazy because our own internal electro-magnetic fields are ruined. More common, some neighborhoods transformers go down in Canada or Sweden. You have to prepare at the level you can afford. That scale is kind of iffy when it comes to CME. I don't really know what science to reference because of all the conflicting data.

EMPs are even more effected by strength, deployment efficiency, distance, terrain and other factors.

Think of a car accident. This could be minor and only need a scratch in the paint buffed out, or so bad they don't realize a passenger is in the crumpled debris for a few days after the car is in the impound yard.

 

I suggest that if you can change the bulb you change to one that will tolerate the spec voltage and a little more. An LED that will take 3 to 9 volts will not be damaged by the slightly higher voltage of Lithium cells as long as you do not use it at a nominal 9 volts.

 

I watched a briefing given by a researcher who works on the EMP issue for the Navy. He said much of the advice that is published about emp protective containers is bunk. He stated that a single layer of metal, even one that has been welded shut using submarine hull welding standards, will not protect its contents unless it is lined with a substantial layer of insulation and the enclosed electronics are in good quality anti static bags like the ones electronic components and sub circuits are shipped in. The presentation was prepared for Auxiliary Radio Operators who work with local and State Emergency Management Offices. The idea is to protect a set of radio equipment that can be brought out after the event to reestablish communications.

One of the things that he was very clear about is all the money that the electrical utilities spend avoiding the imposition of readiness standards by the Public Utility Regulators of each State and the District of Columbia would be better used in hardening the transformers that cannot be readily replaced. He opined that the biggest and hardest to replace transformers can be protected with modest expenditures but in the aftermath of a successful EMP attack on an unprepared grid it would not be possible to replace the larger transformers because all of the transportation and production infrastructure would be unavailable. He thought it would be a good idea for american railroads to have a small number of steam locomotives available for national defense use after an EMP attack. FWIW YMWV

 

The is a really interesting topic. Please consider starting an EMP thread so we can discuss this topic more. The more we talk about it the more we can think through the problem, bounce ideas off each other, listen to suggestions, recommendations and hopefully discover some solutions. Currently, my house has a metal roof with cement board as siding. I keep my extra radios in an insulated metal garbage can with each radio wrapped in foil. It's about all I can do - yet - I wonder if it's enough. Maybe. Maybe not. And, then there are the power sources needed to run and charge things... An EMP strike would totally screw us.

 

On the topic of Batteries for flashlights, radios, etc. and wanted to add that report Li‑Ion (especially 18650) cells hold up far better over long storage compared to NiCd or NiMH - NiMH and NiCd batteries often self‑discharge or fail if unused for just a month or two
In my opinion: stick with quality protected 18650s for flashlights and dual-band radios, and if using AA replacements, test them for interference before committing.

 

If you buy batteries that don't have an expiration date or good until date stamped on them, you're just wasting your money!

 

plus one for night core. i carry a 1k lumen powered by 18650,,, it last a long time on the middle setting with intermittent 2-3 minute use. months, i dont have the usb batt,,, yet. i do have a 1800 lumen nite core that needs a 3500 m@ battery. its like having a car high beam im your hand. great lights. i have 3.

 

yep i need more factual info on emps.

 

I’ve been running an Olight for a while now and it’s been fantastic, solid build, great runtime, and bright enough to light up half the forest if needed. Definitely earned its place in my kit.