Flashlight Batteries

Hope this is the right group, at least it’s technical to me. I have a 3 D cell mag light mounted in my truck. Two days ago I needed it and the light was very dim then went out. It was 3 degrees out. I brought it into the house and the next day it was good. I’m thinking one of two things. Either the batteries are good but it was too cold or the batteries are week and too cold.

will new batteries have this issue? If so any thoughts as to anything I can do to help prevent it? Maybe move the location so the heater blows on it?

do they make cold hardy D cells?

thoughts?

 

Basically, cold weather sucks the life out of batteries. This guy explains it better than I could, and gives your answer:

https://toolguyd.com/flashlight-tool-batteries-cold-weather/

 

Ditto. Cold + Batteries = Bad Time

 

@Naveronski Thank you for the information, Grate help !! I / We have two Maglite Flashlights, both now have very lo light output, they are both about 10 years old(bought together ) I was able to open one of them and replace the size D's, it came back perfectly, the second one a battery has leaked and is stuck in place, anyone know how to get it out ?

 

Here's a way to do it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aZCns5yaLU

 

Great replies - verified what I was seeing!!!!

Thanks again,

Brad

 

nice flasligh

t

really nice mount + lite....................thinkin ahead

ok here goes what we found out in a lengthy experiment

regular flashlite with a ‘ bulb ‘ for some reason we were NOT able to get to

actually drains the batteries when ......off

an LED flashlight Same size Same batteries will NOT

LEDS work when current flows so if there were draining the voltage supply

it would be possible to tell

told my daughter same ...................college degree etc she didnt believe dad

until charlotte went 2 weeks w/o electricity

boy scout tip o the day.......get equivolent LED lite

no less keep 1 set batteries in vehicle

PEAK sells a 12volt magnetic Work Lite approx $11 plugs in will run for days on batt

that wont crank he engine / beep the horn 12 foot cord

i dont like rechargeable

they dont last long & quit b4 Ur thru

no way to recharge on the road when U need it

 

I have pretty much given up on flashlights despite of having a slew of the different size Maglights.

I have gone to headlamps with rechargeable batteries I have both a 120VAC and 12VDC chargers works for me it just got to be a pain trying to hold a light even the magnet bases don`t work well on Aluminum and some stainless the grade slips my mind

About 10 years lights live in the vehicles now then here winters are not that cold just damp so no problems in that respect

 

During the cold winter here in Iowa, I carry a crank up flashlight in my truck. I don`t worry about batteries that way. Can`t remember what they call this type of light.

 

Interesting seeing different experiences. Here in Maine, with my D cell LED flashlight, I'm able to get a full year out of the batteries before replacing. I replace each November.

 

I dig what you're saying but will make the point that a 4D Maglite mounted under the driver's seat doubles nicely as a window breaker if you ever needed such a thing. Or a zombie skull thumper.

 

Yes indeed I can agree with that

 

I use streamlight 18650s gives me about 50 hours on low in my polytac I think about 3 on highest setting or you can power it with cr 123s. I like them because I can charge the battery separately from the light with a common charger. The days of big bulky lights and batteries are over for me. Had them for a couple years still going strong.

 

How did you do that mount? I have been looking to mount the rechargable Maglite (the big rechargable one RL1019) in my 4Runner without drilling any holes. That looks like a clean mount. Any other suggestions? Yea, I know, this is a Tacoma forum and I am asking about an installation in a 4Runner but close enough.....

 

I don’t use alkaleaks anymore, too many ruined devices. C and D-cell lights are way to bulky and dim for the weight and cost of batteries. Any AA I use at all are either liion 14500 or eveready ultimate Lithiums that can actually push some current and never leak. Mostly though I’ve switched over to 18650’s and have chargers that work either of 12VDC or 110AC.