NEW HDS Clicky 140 & 200 Runtime Tests

[nbp]

Who doesn't love runtime tests?!?!

There has been considerable discussion about the lowest level runtimes of the new HDS Clickies. So, for your enjoyment, I'm doing runtime tests on my two Clickies: both are new firmware ACME style lights. One is a 140, with Osram GDP, one is a 200 with XP-G. They are stock from Henry, no mods.

I have programmed them both to the minimum level, .07 lm. and then loaded them with unused SF primaries, EXP 02/2013. The test began at exactly 12:00 AM, 6/19/2012.

I'll let you know how it goes. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves in the meantime.

[AZPops]

Well while we're waiting for the results, can y'all go over the programing thing again?

[LightWalker]

This should be interesting, I look forward to seeing the results.

[tobrien]

when did you originally order them?

[nbp]

I got them last December or so. They were warranty replacements for some wonky lights I had. I waited maybe 8-10 weeks for them at the time after sending in the originals.

[RobertM]

Who doesn't love runtime tests?!?!

There has been considerable discussion about the lowest level runtimes of the new HDS Clickies. So, for your enjoyment, I'm doing runtime tests on my two Clickies: both are new firmware ACME style lights. One is a 140, with Osram GDP, one is a 200 with XP-G. They are stock from Henry, no mods.

I have programmed them both to the minimum level, .07 lm. and then loaded them with unused SF primaries, EXP 02/2013. The test began at exactly 12:00 AM, 6/19/2012.

I'll let you know how it goes. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves in the meantime.

So you are using SF batteries that are roughly 9 years old?

[ScottFree]

Seems a good place to start. I would be quite interested in the runtimes of batteries that are that old. I've got a few batteries at home with expiry dates of 2016. The rest are 2020.

[John_Galt]

Retaining capacity after being stored this long shouldn't be a problem... The oft-tossed about figure for CR123's is 10 years to about 80% original capacity. I believe it's 20 years for Energizer Lithium AA's.

[luceat lux vestra]

How can you survive that long without two of your flashlights

[nbp]

So you are using SF batteries that are roughly 9 years old?

Yes.

Send me any cells you want and I'll do the test with them.

AFAIK, SF is the only brand that even puts expirations on their CR123s so you may be using 9 yr. old cells and not even know it.

Anyways, I used these because I figured no one would question the quality of the cells as SF cells are universally accepted as high quality. And if their engineers feel that the cells are still good after 10 years, I guess I'll take their word for it.

I could do it again later with other cells if these are questionable to folks.

How can you survive that long without two of your flashlights

I have more lights. To be honest, these don't get a ton of carry anyways.

[nbp]

Still running, not that it is a surprise.

[ico]

So you are using SF batteries that are roughly 9 years old?

The good thing is when we arrive at an answer to how long the runtimes are. We can expect to have an even longer rumtine when using newly produced batteries

[someguy4747]

Will these runtimes be relevant to people with rotaries? Or is that completely different?

[nbp]

Will these runtimes be relevant to people with rotaries? Or is that completely different?

I think It's the same firmware so it will probably be close, although some have mentioned that they feel the Rotary switching mechanism eats some power. I'm not smart enough to answer that question.

[AnAppleSnail]

I think It's the same firmware so it will probably be close, although some have mentioned that they feel the Rotary switching mechanism eats some power. I'm not smart enough to answer that question.

Once my new-style rotary arrives (August? Fingers crossed) and I can let go of it for a few days, I'll give it a shot and share data. Even if I have to blow $10 for a non-rechargeable cell at Wal wart, it'll be good to put this question to rest. Now, who can do it sooner than that?

[the.Mtn.Man]

As I understand it, the Rotaries are less efficient because of the circuitry in the dial.

[AnAppleSnail]

As I understand it, the Rotaries are less efficient because of the circuitry in the dial.

128 hours is enough for most of my uses. Although I'm interested in a mechanism I saw once in a dream?

An RCR123-sized device. It sacrifices half its capacity for a spinning top. I recall the visceral feel of spinning it and feeling the dynamo humming, which can't be true. Rotating the top (Like a pepper grinder) spins a dynamo, charging the Li-Ion cell in it (16170 size?). In this odd daydream, I remember having my battery die, and calmly opening the flashlight to sit in a dark tunnel spinning the top of this battery for a couple of minutes. I then proceeded on 'low' level.

[nbp]

Well, I don't have one of those...just batteries.

49 hours in.

[nbp]

Thought there'd be more interest in this. Oh well, that's OK.

80 hours in this morning.

[gottawearshades]

[skyfire]

Thought there'd be more interest in this. Oh well, that's OK.

80 hours in this morning.

im very interested.... i never got around to doing a runtime test with my clicky. i couldnt deal with the downtime. hehe

[notsofast]

Thought there'd be more interest in this. Oh well, that's OK.

80 hours in this morning.

812 views. Looks like a lot of us are quietly waiting.

[davyro]

812 views. Looks like a lot of us are quietly waiting.

+1 i'm one of those eagerly waiting the results

[Johnbeck180]

As am I.

[nbp]

Welcome guys.

There's plenty of and to go around!

96 hours and counting!

[nbp]

Yay! 120 hours!

[Johnbeck180]

Nice!
Did they both go about the same time? Or are they still going?

[AnAppleSnail]

Bump for runtime. The drive circuit can give what, 20% variance on runtime?

[nbp]

Nice!
Did they both go about the same time? Or are they still going?

Ha, good question, I didn't make that clear sorry. Now we are 129.5 hrs and they are still running.

[nbp]

Well, they both konked out since I last checked them about 6:30 pm, which means they got somewhere between 138-144 hrs of runtime.

Once I discovered this, I tried to click them back on to their turn-on level and both came on. They're set to something like 20 lm or so upon initial activation. They both ramped up to find their max output level, which looked to be 5-10 lm. Now they have been on a few minutes, and are periodically dropping down a level at a time. It seems that the rest they got allowed the cells to recover a bit and are trying to squeeze a little more out of them.