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Choose The Right Type Of Flashlight
A flashlight usually consists of a small
electric light bulb, a compartment for batteries which power the
bulb, a switch for the bulb and a parabolic reflector for focusing
the light. The battery compartment also acts like a handle for
holding the flashlight.
Though the flashlight is of a very simple design, it is a relatively
new invention. It came into being after the incandescent light bulb
and the dry cell was invented.
The name “flashlight” has a humorous background. In the early days
of the dry cell, the power of a dry cell battery was very limited.
To save the dry cell from discharging quickly, the flashlight was
operated intermittently and just long enough to check out the
environments, hence the name “flashlight”.
There are many flashlight designs available in the market today.
Like dry cell flash lights, rechargeable acid type flashlights,
rechargeable dry cell type, LED (Light Emitting Diode) type, solar
charging type, electromagnet type, head lamp type, underwater type,
rifle or gun light etc.
The dry cell flashlight is the simplest design and used in most
households and consists of dry cells to power the electric bulb. As
the batteries discharge the illumination dims in these flashlights.
Rather than buying a flashlight, which needs battery replacement
frequently, a better design is to use rechargeable batteries, which
can be lead acid type or dry cell type.
Some use solar panels for recharging during daytime. Electromagnet
type uses a clockwork arrangement or a knob arrangement. In
clockwork arrangement a spring mechanism is used to power the
flashlight and has to be wound as required. The knob type
arrangement has a moving coil or magnet which moves when the knob is
pressed and charges a capacitor, which provides power to the bulb.
LED type flashlights are of a recent design. Though LED:s have been
around for decades, the LED flashlight was not available till late
90s because the LED:s could not be operated continuously and their
luminosity was very poor.
LED flashlights consume very little power compared to the
conventional electric bulb as LED:s do not produce as much heat as
electric bulb. LED flashlights usually have a metal body to
dissipate heat by conduction since LED:s do not dissipate heat
through the light beam like electric bulbs do.
A headlamp type has a flashlight on a helmet so that the hands are
free. Underwater type is a special flashlight, which is used for
illuminating underwater objects and is waterproof. Rifle or gun
lights are special flashlights used for illumination of target.
Flashlights are fairly cheap and available in attractive designs.
The price ranges from a few dollars to a couple of hundred dollars.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
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