22 Years' Battery Customization
Mar 09, 2020 Pageview：4011
Streamlight flashlights lead in performance and reliability. Designed to military-grade specs, they are also durable and guaranteed to go where no other brand can. The Streamlight Stinger series are some of the best options for a variety of uses.
To get the most out of your Streamlight flashlight, you need to pair it with the best batteries. Lithium batteries offer more voltage, last longer, and have no memory effect.
These are the best lithium batteries to replace the default Stinger Flashlight NiCad or NiMH battery.
1.What Kind of Batteries Do Streamlight Stinger Use
Streamlight Stinger flashlights are available for a whole range of applications. There are camping lights, lights for inspection, options for firefighters, and even some for security personnel that can be attached to weapons.
Streamlight Stinger flashlights come with rechargeable Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) batteries straight from the factory. NiCad batteries are cheap, effective, and very safe to use. You can also find them on many other devices such as toys.
Different models of Stinger flashlights such as the PolyStinger, LED Super Stinger, and Ultra Stinger use rechargeable battery packs of AAA size diameter. They are as small as possible to keep the flashlight lightweight and comfortable to hold. Some can also operate on AA or AAA batteries when needed.
Can You Replace Streamlight Stinger Batteries With Li Batteries
Yes. Just make sure the new battery has the same capacity and operates within the voltage range of the flashlight.
NiCad batteries have a shelf life of about five years and can last for up to 1000 recharge cycles. Most people prefer to replace them with lithium or lithium polymer batteries after this due to many reasons.
One of the major weaknesses of NiCad batteries is the so-called 'memory' effect. If, for example, you discharge it to 50% at one time and then recharge it to 100%, it would only discharge up to 50% the next time. That is why you would be advised to make sure your batteries are fully discharged. However, lithium batteries do not suffer from the same problem.
Lithium Batteries for Streamlight Stinger Flashlights
Fortunately, there are now thousands of options for you to choose from when you want to replace NiCad batteries with either Li-Ion or Li-Po batteries for your Streamlight Stinger flashlight.
Different manufactures have come with lithium-ion and lithium polymer batteries of a similar size and voltage to fit Streamlight Stinger flashlights. They have a much better capacity, higher voltage, and do not have a memory effect. They last longer and are more durable.
How Long Does A Streamlight Stinger Lithium Battery Last?
If you are running your Streamlight Stinger on lithium batteries, you can expect it to outlast the factory-supplied NiCad batteries by a long shot.
Rechargeable batteries vary depending on the charge capacity and voltage, so there is no universal standard on which to compare them. Instead, you can consider the different types available and measure how long a full charge can give you.
14500 Batteries
14500 lithium batteries can use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer technology, but most use Lithium Carbon Oxide technology. They have a capacity of 900mAh hours, which can last up to 1 hour continuously on a 320-lumen flashlight.
14500 batteries measure about 4.04”x0.81”, which is almost similar to regular AA batteries. However, never assume that your flashlight can use them interchangeably unless otherwise indicated. The voltage on a 14500 battery is higher at 3.6/3.7V.
16340 Batteries
These are closer in size to CR130A dry cells but can differ slightly. They have a charge capacity of 700 mAh, which can power a flashlight of up to 450 lumens. They can usually last about 50 minutes on a full charge.
18650 Batteries
These are the most popular batteries by far thanks to their higher charge capacity. A typical 18650 battery lasts three times as long as a 14500 battery. The charge capacity varies, but currently, the highest available is about 3600mAh.
Generally, a larger battery means a larger size. 18650 batteries are quite larger than AA batteries. Streamlight Stinger flashlights utilize this type of battery and can last for about 1 hour and 10 minutes on maximum output (about 950 lumens).
These are currently the batteries with the highest capacity you can obtain for your Stinger flashlight. Because they are bigger, they last much longer and thus require fewer charging cycles.
They have about two times the amperage (capacity) of a 18650 battery, at 7100mAh. Some can go as high as 9000mAh, cut it all depends on the quality and size.
3. How Do You Test A Streamlight Stinger Lithium Battery
Rechargeable lithium batteries can deteriorate due to several reasons. To test how good your lithium battery is, you should first know the operating range of voltage and current.
A Streamlight Stinger flashlight battery operates at a maximum of 3.7 volts, which is supplied by 3-cell batteries.
The maximum current draw depends on the battery type, but it depends on its power. A 1000 lumen flashlight can draw as much as 4.5 amps, while a 250 lumen light can draw o.6 amps.
To test how much voltage your battery is producing and current being drawn, just follow these steps.
To Test Current Draw:
●Get a multimeter and set it up with the leads correctly positioned.
●Turn the knob over to DC and make sure the current is selected.
●Unscrew the battery cover of the flashlight.
●Attach the positive or red probe to the exposed metal on the threads, and the negative/black one on the cell terminal. You should get a readout of the current in amps.
For a 14500 battery, it should be about 1.5amps or lesser. For a 18650 or larger, it can go as much as 20 amps, depending on the manufacturer.
To test the cell voltage:
●There are many devices you can use to check the voltage of the cell. Sometimes the battery has a charger that displays the voltage.
●If you don’t have such a charger, you can use a multimeter to measure voltage. Make sure the leads are positioned correctly on the meter.
●Turn the knob over to ‘DC’. Select the voltage.
●Touch the positive/red probe on the positive side of the battery and the negative/black probe on the negative side of the battery. The screen will show you the voltage.
A Streamlight Stinger three-cell battery has a voltage of 3.6 or 3.7V when fully charged, and operates normally up to about 2.8-3.0V. Most lithium batteries have an operating capacity of 2V to 4.2V.
If your battery is in storage for more than a few weeks, make sure to charge it now and then to keep it above nominal voltage levels of 1.2V or below.
Final Words
A Streamlight Stinger flashlight is your companion when out camping, exploring, or working. You can greatly improve its performance by pairing it with the correct lithium battery.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you to understand more about rechargeable batteries for Streamlight Stinger flashlights.
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