What type of batteries should I use with my flowlight?


Flowlights are optimized for rechargeable AAA batteries. We recommend high-quality rechargeable NiMH batteries which you can find on our website by clicking here.

 

Important note: If inserted in the wrong direction, the reverse polarity of Li-ions can ruin your flowlight. Always insert your battery with the positive "head" of the battery pointed towards the pointy "head" of the flowlight.




How long does the battery last?


Battery life depends a lot on the mode you are in. Check the modes chart attached below for average runtimes of each mode.


With freshly charged NiMH rechargeables, flowlights normally last for 7-24 hours in most modes, 2-4 hours in page 3 “performance” modes, and 1-2 hours in “bolder” and “bold” (all white modes).


Runtimes with disposable alkaline batteries are typically lower, and cheapo disposable batteries may last less than 30 minutes, as they cannot handle the amperage required. 


Typical NiMH rechargeables hold a good charge for a few weeks. After that they may have less than 50% of their charge left, so we recommend charging batteries within a week of any important events, like festivals, parties or performances. 


Flowlights run on a single AAA battery. It amplifies and regulates the voltage – which means you can use common rechargeable batteries and your flowlights will run at full brightness for the entire life of the battery, and not dim over the course of the night. Using higher-voltage disposable alkaline batteries will not increase the brightness, or runtime. 


Can I use li-ion batteries with my flowlight?


The flowlight can run on any 1.2-1.6V AAA battery, and also 3.5-4.2V li-ion cells without protection circuit (protected cells are longer and will not fit). Flowlights contain a DC-DC switching power supply to run at optimum brightness from 0.9v to 6v.


There are also rechargeable li-ion AAA 1.5V batteries with built-in USB charge port. Like this:
 These include an internal voltage regulator, and output 1.5V from their ~4V li-ion cell. They work great in flowlights and many other devices as long as you understand their limitations:
- the output is a constant 1.5V, so the device can not detect the battery charge level, they just suddenly turn off.
- the internal voltage regulation circuitry generates heat and can not handle the power required by some device, such as a headlamp on high, or flowlight on max brightness level in p3m8 “bolder” white mode without flickering and/or shutting down.

**We do not yet have good data on the durability of these cells. If you try them out, please let us know how it goes!



Feel free to contact us if you have questions ;)