Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I have two Streamlight Stinger flashlights which I use at my present job, mandated by the FAA.

The rechargeable batteries will not hold a charge. I have had them for about three years. Is this normal that the batteries are toast? Regardless, what replacement battery would you recommend?

Thanks,

CincyCop

In general, rechargeable batteries lose their charge after many reuses. This will happen with MP3 players, cell phones, and even a flashlight. It just happens.

Unless someone knows of a battery that has an even longer time in which it can be recharged over and over, you should just use the same battery.

When I was around nine, I wrapped some batteries up as a joke gift for my older sister, and on the card it said...."Toy not included."

I look back and realize, God I was cool.:D

I have two Streamlight Stinger flashlights which I use at my present job, mandated by the FAA.

The rechargeable batteries will not hold a charge. I have had them for about three years. Is this normal that the batteries are toast? Regardless, what replacement battery would you recommend?

Thanks,

CincyCop


I've thought about buying one of these myself. Let me know if you get one and how you like it:

http://www.geocities.com/superbatterys/index.html

I've thought about buying one of these myself. Let me know if you get one and how you like it:

http://www.geocities.com/superbatterys/index.html
It'd be worth a shot for only $20.

I know that you can get other batteries rather than streamlight brand that have higher Milliamp hour ratings than the name brand. I used to have the LE/FD site bookmarked... can't seem to find it at present, but you may even be able to find them at Batteries plus.

I would only buy from Galls as a last resort.

I also have 2 Streamlights, a Poli and one with a large head, with a rapid charger in my garage. when I was working, 2 years was about as good as you were going to get out of a single rechargeable stick, having had occasions in which I killed them both, one at a time, but the first was ready again by the time the second one died.

I think its a good idea to take them off of the charger as soon as they charge, because since I've retired, I got next to no use out of one battery after leaving it on the charger for a few months, unneeded.

BTW, on the subject of flashlights, I bought an LED conversion bulb for my old 3 cell c Maglight. ...$10.00 for the single bulb that simply replaces the existing bulb... worse than the cost of a Krypton, except not as sensitive to fingerprints...

Don't waste your time or money right now, unless you see a whole head full of LED bulbs. It will definitely extend the life of your batteries, but you will get more light from a birthday candle.

I'll be taking mine back to Wallyworld.

BTW, on the subject of flashlights, I bought an LED conversion bulb for my old 3 cell c Maglight. ...$10.00 for the single bulb that simply replaces the existing bulb... worse than the cost of a Krypton, except not as sensitive to fingerprints...

Don't waste your time or money right now, unless you see a whole head full of LED bulbs. It will definitely extend the life of your batteries, but you will get more light from a birthday candle.

I'll be taking mine back to Wallyworld.

Which brand was it? Was it the Nite-Ize one, or the official Maglite one?

The Nite-Ize one is designed for long life, low power. The Maglite one is designed for brightness, but shorter life. The Maglite one is much more expensive, since it just came out a few months ago and is higher performance.

I have the Nite-Ize conversion for my Mini-Maglite. I'd recommend it to anyone. I don't recommend the tail switch so much, except for law enforcement officers. The tail switch can function as a convenient lockout if you carry a Mini-Maglite on your duty belt.

Which brand was it? Was it the Nite-Ize one, or the official Maglite one?

The Nite-Ize one is designed for long life, low power. The Maglite one is designed for brightness, but shorter life. The Maglite one is much more expensive, since it just came out a few months ago and is higher performance.

I have the Nite-Ize conversion for my Mini-Maglite. I'd recommend it to anyone. I don't recommend the tail switch so much, except for law enforcement officers. The tail switch can function as a convenient lockout if you carry a Mini-Maglite on your duty belt.

I am pretty certain it must have been the Nite-Ize, since it wouldn't have lit up the inside of a paper bag. I didn't have the $20 for the Maglight bulb, just assumed they would be pretty similar, just as most bulbs other than the Krypton are.

Right now, my Maglight is sitting in my garage for use in the garage attic or backyard, so I felt guilty even spending the $10 for the cheaper bulb, when I could have easily bought a LED flashlight for that price.

I am pretty certain it must have been the Nite-Ize, since it wouldn't have lit up the inside of a paper bag. I didn't have the $20 for the Maglight bulb, just assumed they would be pretty similar, just as most bulbs other than the Krypton are.

Right now, my Maglight is sitting in my garage for use in the garage attic or backyard, so I felt guilty even spending the $10 for the cheaper bulb, when I could have easily bought a LED flashlight for that price.

The Maglite one is much, much more fancy. It's regulated. This means that it always puts out the maxium output, despite the battery voltage.

LED's when they are manufactured are never consistent. After being made, they are tested and divided up by quality into bins. The more you pay for the LED, the higher the quality of the output.

The Nite-Ize one is cheap, and is a lower-quality LED. It also isn't regulated; as the batteries discharge, the light output decreases.

The Maglite one is much, much more fancy. It's regulated. This means that it always puts out the maxium output, despite the battery voltage.

LED's when they are manufactured are never consistent. After being made, they are tested and divided up by quality into bins. The more you pay for the LED, the higher the quality of the output.

The Nite-Ize one is cheap, and is a lower-quality LED. It also isn't regulated; as the batteries discharge, the light output decreases.

Interesting. Thank You for the Quick LED Info 101 course.
I was unaware that those inexpensive LED flashlights I've been playing around with were just cheap LED's.

This explains the 4 pack of multi LED head flashlights I've been seeing around the internet for $29.