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From: jkh@jade.BERKELEY.EDU (Jordan K. Hubbard)
Newsgroups: mod.rec.guns
Subject: Re: A Miscellany of Topics (specifically flashlights)
Message-ID: <1071@jade.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Wed, 6-Aug-86 21:45:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: jade.1071
Posted: Wed Aug  6 21:45:36 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 9-Aug-86 03:48:47 EDT
References: <1022@jade.BERKELEY.EDU>
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 32
Approved: jkh@ucbjade
Author: decwrl!decvax!utzoo!henry@ucbvax.Berkeley.Edu

Article: 8:3

[This group will be changing its name to mod.rec.flashlights pretty soon. -jh]

(I know this isn't gun-related, but it's not as if the group is noisy...)

> ... since I wouldn't be using it constantly... I think it might
> be better to buy the version that uses replaceable ordinary batteries
> and not rechargeable nicads. This would not only be cheaper, but would
> avoid the "memory" problem you get with little-used nicads.

Also, nicads are an outstandingly poor choice for a flashlight which is
going to be used only occasionally, because nicads will not *hold* a
charge for long periods of time.  After a few weeks sitting on a shelf,
you won't get much light from them.  (Ever wonder why the instructions
for nicad-powered stuff say to charge it before using it for the first
time?  It's because the nicads will be completely flat after a few months
in the warehouse or store.)  To keep nicads at full capacity, you have to
charge them often... and then the memory effect becomes a hassle.

Assuming you're not feeling rich enough to spring for luxuries like lithium
batteries, your best bet is good-quality alkalines.  They won't last
forever on the shelf, but they will last a good long time -- much longer
than garden-variety batteries.  They also are much less likely to leak,
since their outer case is not a participant in their internal chemistry.
(Note the words "much less likely"; I've had one leak.  But it's unusual.)
Definitely the battery of choice for something that's used infrequently
but had better work when the time comes.  They're also a good buy in general,
since the extra energy content pretty much balances the higher price.

				Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
				{allegra,ihnp4,decvax,pyramid}!utzoo!henry