*Faraday Flashlights*
While making a list of the "extras" that I felt we needed, I decided to give the "no batteries needed", Faraday Flashlights a try. I ordered directly from the Faraday Flashlight website and it took six weeks before I received them! Once I did receive them, this is how they worked:
To charge the light it needs to be shaken. It works through "Induction", which is defined as: "an electrical phenomenon whereby an electromotive force (EMF) is generated in a closed circuit by a change in the flow of current" that closed circuit being contained within the flashlight itself. This circuit looks like a "spool" of copper wire, a cylindrical magnet (?) which goes through the center of the spool as the light is shaken to be charged and a small circuit board connecting the copper wire to the bulb. The larger flashlight only had to be shaken for a couple of minutes and it worked. I forgot and left it in my van for a couple of days, during an extra cold spell and it was still charged! Like the ad claimed, this flashlight does float and when put in water (I submerged it in the sink and it came right to the top once let go) and held under, it did not leak. The smaller of the flashlights (the equivalent of a mini-mag) was not as impressive. It had to be shaken at least twice as long as the larger flashlight, and to keep it on one has to hold the button down all the time. Not very convenient if you are looking for something and using this smaller flashlight, especially when you need both hands! I paid $24.90 for both of my flashlights; I saw the same set in Wal-Mart a couple of days ago for $18.95. I personally like the larger flashlight, mainly for the fact that you don’t need to worry about batteries. It’s not the best of flashlights, there are much better out there, but I thought I’d give it a try and pass on what I learned.
Also, Beware of the "imitation" Faraday flashlights.. these flashlights LOOK like a Faraday flashlight, but have two button batteries hidden inside the case… The induction coils aren’t even hooked to anything! When the button batteries die, the flashlight is just dead and can’t be recharged by shaking. Additionally, Many of the cheap knockoffs require a LOT of shaking for just a few seconds of light. Avoid those also.
Kachina
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