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Reviewer's
Impressions:
The LEDtronics 3 volt 3-LED PR Replacement Bulb will allow
your flashlight batteries to last practically forever. Unfortunately
this comes at the price of very dim light output.
A good option for this bulb would be to place it in a 4
AA cell light using a dummy battery (easily made from wrapping
either a wooden dowel or dead AA battery with aluminum foil)
and 3 NiCAD or 3 NiMH rechargable batteries. This would bring
the input voltage up to 3.6 volts, increasing light output
considerably. Despite using 3 batteries, the voltage is still
within factory specifications for these LEDs and should not
result in any premature damage. If you want an even better
amount of light from one of these bulbs, you could place the
3 volt bulb in a 4.5 volt configuration (such as a 3-D MagLight).
You will get much better light output, but the LEDs will wear
out sooner due to overheating. This will, of course, also
come at the expense of any warranty.
The bulb performed as expected, lighting when it was supposed
to. Initially it flickered terribly. There seemed to be a
coating on the top surface of the PR bulb base where contact
is made with the flashlight head which was causing an interrupt
in the circuit. Slightly abrading the top edge of the PR bulb
base with an emery board stopped the flickering.
When viewed through filters, it can be seen that the LEDs
are not matched very well. One led is much dimmer than the
others. Under normal voltages this would not make much of
a difference, but since the LEDs are being underdriven at
3 volts, it is slightly noticeable.
I have found that these bulbs perform best in faceted reflector
lights. Lights with smooth reflectors result in 3 separate
rings around the outside edge of the beam.
+ + + Pluses: Great battery conservation, good for
experimenters who do not wish to build their own bulb, good
design
- - - Minuses: Very dim output at intended voltages
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