Lights! AA Batteries?

[DuncanBeaumont]

I am looking to buy a light set. I have a large number of AA rechargeable batteries, but don't seem to be able to find rear lights that use AA batteries.

Any suggestions please?

 

[chillyuk]

Buy a few triple A batteries, they are cheap enough and problem solved. Simples.

 

[anyuser]

Cateye rear light TL-LD1100 uses AA x2 and front light HL-EL520 uses AA x4. There may be others on the Catey site if you browse.

 

[fossyant]

Hope Vision 1 takes 4 x AA's - that's a front light !

 

[calibanzwei]

I planned ahead. Every light I own is AAA!

 

[PpPete]

I did find one (Raleigh branded IIRC) but the switch was crap and the bracket failed, scattering bits of plastic across the road. It wasn't quite as big & heavy as the LD1100, but not far off.

Someone then pointed out to me that two Smart 1/2Watt (2 x AAA each) weigh less than a AA-powered light + 2 spare AA batteries..... which rather negates the argument for AA in my book.

 

[fossyant]

I've had the Raleigh dual 1/2 watt rear which takes AA's, but my second one died last week - they don't like rain at all, despite being sealed with electrical tape !

 

[DuncanBeaumont]

Cateye rear light TL-LD1100 uses AA x2 and front light HL-EL520 uses AA x4. There may be others on the Catey site if you browse.

 

[DuncanBeaumont]

Thanks for that. Ordered from Wiggle.

 

[subaqua]

I've had the Raleigh dual 1/2 watt rear which takes AA's, but my second one died last week - they don't like rain at all, despite being sealed with electrical tape !

self almagamating tape is what you need. NOT electrical tape which is about as waterproof as blotting paper.

 

[Wobblers]

Someone then pointed out to me that two Smart 1/2Watt (2 x AAA each) weigh less than a AA-powered light + 2 spare AA batteries..... which rather negates the argument for AA in my book.

An AA battery has the same amount of energy as 3 AAA batteries. So you'll potentially get more light or more runtime (or both). There is also the factor that a larger light actually has more visual impact - it's more noticeable - than a small light. When it comes to lights, small is not necessarily beautiful.

 

[DuncanBeaumont]

In my case, as I said in the OP, I have a number of AA rechargeable batteries, plus the charger, so it made good sense - as I saw it - to use those AA batteries.

 

[albion]

Planning ahead I tested my bright 5 year old Cateye LD600. (uses AAA)It lasts a good 8 hours solid and 16 hours 5 flashing.  No doubt with 1 flashing it is 80 hours.No doubt the newer model is brighter and/or more efficient.So for most people is probably fine for a whole weeks commute.


That was with old 800mah batteries

 

[PpPete]

An AA battery has the same amount of energy as 3 AAA batteries. So you'll potentially get more light or more runtime (or both). There is also the factor that a larger light actually has more visual impact - it's more noticeable - than a small light. When it comes to lights, small is not necessarily beautiful.

All true, but the only reliable AA powered light I know of (Cateye TL-LD1100) uses a lot of low powered LEDs (10 of them IIRC) No doubt the 2 x AA will last a very long time even so .... but in terms of (my perception of) visual impact, I think the Smart 1/2 Watts are way better, even though the lit area is a quarter the size. That is why I bought the Raleigh with its 2 x 1/2 Watt emitters running off 2 x AA, because like the OP I wanted to use AA throughout. I thought it sounded like the best of both worlds, but sadly the build quality was just not good enough.

 

[Tynan]

dear god, buying lights to suit batteries

tail wags dog