The CPF Flashaholic Tips and Tricks Thread

Hey everyone!

In this thread: We share and discuss tips and tricks involving our lights. You know the type, the little things that set us apart as the top 2% of flashlight users worldwide.

Hacks are always welcome!

I'll start with a couple.

Improvised ceiling bounce headlamp:
Last night, I was playing with flashlights with my girlfriend with the lights out. I improvised a ceiling bounce headlamp by strapping a Pak-Lite Super 9v to her pony tail with her hair tie with the light shining towards the white ceiling. It worked like a charm. Wrap with a bit of plastic shopping bag to further diffuse the light and go fully night adapted vision.



Improvised wire:
A sheet of aluminum foil cut into strips, then twisted. If the strips run down the length of the sheet, the improvised wire can be as long as the roll.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistivity_and_conductivity
Aluminum has a touch more than half of the conductivity of copper when used as a wire. This can be overcome by simply using a thicker twist of the stuff. Using aluminum foil as wire will cause some of the voltage of the circuit to be dropped across the wire, more so than copper. Even so, it still works for low amperage hacks. It's also quite useful for improvised battery setups. One of my favorite budget mods involves a $1.50 Rayovac AAx2 plastic host and aluminum foil. I wrap strips of the foil around and around a P60 reflector to shim it to the light head. I then squash the foil away from the pill to give a nice flat lip for the switch probe to engage. This also permits easy swap of the pill for further play. In a pinch, I can scavenge some of the foil from the head to hack the P60 to virtually any battery less than 18v. Power tools, automotive, etc.

Improvised tail-stand of non-tailstanding lights:
Place the light in a drinking glass for ceiling bounce.

Excellent improvised contact cleaner:
A pink pencil eraser. It's quite gentle and doesn't damage platings. Follow up with a contact grease such as No-ox-id.

A word of caution when receiving a new light:
Check carefully inside the light for metal whiskers left over from the build process. I never thought to check until someone mentioned it here. I went to a suspect budget light and found one. It was a problem, a short, waiting to happen until I picked it out with a dental hook. Safety first, attention to detail. Buy cheap and this might be something you face.

Quick testing of the vampire status of a light:
I like to keep matched sets of alkalines in various states of decay. It's extremely useful for quick testing of how low a light can drain and still function. I barely use them for more than a couple of seconds. My favorite set is a pair of Sony alkies with a combined voltage of .98. If an AAx2 light cannot power up with these, then it's not a vampire.

Jammed mechanical switch from dropping the light:
Sometimes when you drop a light, the switch jams. Light won't turn on or stays lit. You might not have to take it apart, start hitting the switch repeatedly and gradually increase the force used. This might be all it takes to return to full operation.

Here are some.

More the merrier!

Fixing flashlight rattle:
"Shimming the stack." Wrap plastic wrap or paper around the battery or battery stack. Try to slide it in, if not then tear off a bit and try again. This gives the light a far more "solid feel." Subconsciously, it makes people think the light is higher quality because most non-flashies are accustomed to battery rattle.

Battery rattle can cause undesired operation in lights with a lot of batteries in series. In my Solarforce Gladiator 18650x4 series P60 host, the dropin will change modes due to the brief circuit interruption when you swing it around like a light saber. Shimming the stack fixes this. Tape at the battery junctions also works.

Carrying electrical tape on your flashlight:
Wrap a bunch of tape around your flashlight in a spot you like. This can also give you something to grab on and make drawing the light easier. You might need the electrical tape for hacking.

Electrical tape as a lockout on a twisty light with no lockout:
Wrap a turn of tape around the junction of body and head. You can leave a battery in there and now don't have to worry about accidental on. Also, this increases water resistance.

Improvised lockout of a light with batteries still in it:
Place a piece of plastic, paper, cardboard between battery and spring.

Preventing accidental on with a twisty light:
A bit of heat shrink tubing at the junction of body and head of the light and then heated "just so" prevents accidental on of a twisty. I like to heat the tubing more on the body of the light and leave it looser on the head to facilitate battery change.

Flashlight as carry handle:
Comfortably carry several plastic grocery bags by placing the light through the handles, grab the light and save your fingers. Much more comfortable.

Waterproofing a non-waterproof light:
A condom placed over the light temporarily waterproofs a non-waterproof light. Depending on the color of the latex, this is also an improvised diffuser/light filter.

Firemaking with a flashlight 1:
There is firemaking tinder inside the toe of your shoe. Sock lint accumulates there. Shine a high intensity light on a ball of it for a couple minutes to dry it. Now it will take a spark! This trick, drying with a flashlight, works on wet naturally found tinder as well.

Firemaking with a flashlight 2:
Use a light with head and tail removed as a blowing straw, helpful in the first few moments of lighting a tinder nest.

Firemaking with a flashlight 3:
A Pak-lite 9v flashlight with a good hot battery can be used to start a fire. Scrub the terminals of the battery across fine steel wool, this will light it and in turn light the tinder nest.

Firemaking with a flashlight 4:
Shorting a resistor can light a fire.


Firemaking with a flashlight 5:
Use the reflector!


Firemaking with a flashlight 6:
Spy 007 at 3.3 amps with a pair of aspheric lenses in a custom head. They used to say we would never start a fire with an led, that an incan is required. Not anymore, friends! Big props to that flashaholic! :twothumbs


Improvised hand warmer:
High intensity lights double as excellent hand warmers.

"Breaking out" a flashlight head:
With the light head removed, place the bare end of a wire against the threads. Cut a small rectangle of stiff plastic, place inside the light head to help make contact. A ball of aluminum foil makes the center contact, simply stuff the other wire into the foil ball. Now the world of battery hacking is open!

Some thoughts on battery hacking:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...vise-adapt-overcome&highlight=battery+hacking

Ok ... bottled water cap = ( 1" ) bezel diffuser

Scratch prevention on your storage box of flashlights:
Place each light inside a sock, also makes it less obvious what it is.

Cheap double-flashlight holsters:
Double pistol magazine holsters.

Cheap 5-light holster for small lights:
12 gauge shotshell belt pouch.

Stop dropping your EDC light:
Hit the search engines for a gadget called a "gear retractor." It's a spring loaded coil of cord or cable that clips to your belt (or wherever.) Pulling the light extends the cord, letting go lets the light fly back to your belt. This also helps prevent loss and increases rapid access. This is superior to a simple "dummy cord."

Armoring a beater light:
3M aerosol spray rubber undercoating. Clean and degrease the light first or it won't stick. Mask off threads with masking tape. Stuff a bit of cloth inside the light head to protect those threads. Mask over the lens. A full strip disassembly makes this easier.

When allowed to fully cure, this stuff is tough. This also "restores" the appearance of a beater light that has been well.... beaten up.

Carrying cordage on your flashlight:
Using techniques from the art of "Macrame," you wind cord around your light in a way that it doesn't slide off. This increases grip, as well as customizing the appearance of your light. A quick web search for macrame will reveal many different methods.

"No man, that's my light... the one with the pink knot work on it."

WarRaven's Spill Killer for Fenix PD35 and others:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?405963-RavensEye&p=4725897

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...little-spill&p=4722535&viewfull=1#post4722535

archimedes said:

Ok ... bottled water cap = ( 1" ) bezel diffuser

Click to expand...

Love that one, 1" is very super common!

Intro to battery hacking: http://www.instructables.com/id/Using-AA-Batteries-for-AAA-Flashlight/step2/Extended-Battery-Pack/

Budget incan overdrive: http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-$200-"tactical"-flashlight-for-about-$15/

Homemade Paklite: http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=254761

Battery hacking AAAx3 to lion: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...king-3AAA-lights-flashaholic-worthy-the-22600

Extended runtime hack, forever minimag: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?345695-Mini-Mag-Lite-Forever-LED-mod

Extended runtime hack, budget light. (pics are dead, info still legit): http://kissurvival.com/a-1000-hour-5-led-flashlight/

Joule Thief and the Vampire Light (lol) : http://makezine.com/projects/vampire-flashlight/

Why "flat regulation" and constant brightness aren't always the best wrt runtime: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?122326-Photon-Freedom-Microlight-Runtime

What happens at low voltage in alkaline batteries, by HKJ: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...2-Energy-at-low-voltage-in-alkaline-batteries

Hacking solar garden lights:


Note on cutting open batteries, the following do not always contain the same thing:
Cutting open A23 batteries: http://www.instructables.com/id/12-Volt-Battery-Hack!-You_ll-be-Surprised.../

Cutting open 9v batteries: http://www.instructables.com/id/how-to-open-a-9v-battery/

Cutting open 6v lantern batteries:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoTeMEXZfXs

What is "reverse charge" and why is it bad?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_battery#Damage_from_cell_reversal

Damage from cell reversal

Subjecting a discharged cell to a current in the direction which tends to discharge it further to the point the positive and negative terminals switch polarity causes a condition called cell reversal. Generally, pushing current through a discharged cell in this way causes undesirable and irreversible chemical reactions to occur, resulting in permanent damage to the cell. Cell reversal can occur under a number of circumstances, the two most common being:

• When a battery or cell is connected to a charging circuit the wrong way around.
• When a battery made of several cells connected in series is deeply discharged.

In the latter case, the problem occurs due to the different cells in a battery having slightly different capacities. When one cell reaches discharge level ahead of the rest, the remaining cells will force the current through the discharged cell.
Many battery-operated devices have a low-voltage cutoff that prevents deep discharges from occurring that might cause cell reversal.
Cell reversal can occur to a weakly charged cell even before it is fully discharged. If the battery drain current is high enough, the cell's internal resistance can create a resistive voltage drop that is greater than the cell's forward emf. This results in the reversal of the cell's polarity while the current is flowing.[3]​[4]​ The higher the required discharge rate of a battery, the better matched the cells should be, both in the type of cell and state of charge, in order to reduce the chances of cell reversal.

Click to expand...

In a system with high current capable batteries, cell reversal leads to smoke and fire. This is why we check our batteries before and after charging. We are looking for problems before we load up and hit the button.

When a battery made of several cells connected in series is deeply discharged.

Click to expand...

This is a problem, we must avoid this scenario at all costs. A high current 18650, such as the Sony VTC5, can dump lots and lots of amps very quickly.

This is why we don't mix batteries.
DON'T MIX BATTERIES: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?407059-Mix-Batteries

What happens when you don't have a matched set:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?262234-TK-Monster-Explosion

How to use a multimeter, basics: http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Multimeter

Lithium ion battery safety overview: http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/lithium_ion_safety_concerns

What is CRI and CCT? Why are they important? http://www.elementalled.com/academy/blog/led-art/why-is-cri-important/

Color Temperature (CCT): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_temperature#Correlated_color_temperature

Color Rendering Index (CRI): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_rendering_index

more_vampires said:

Hey everyone!


Improvised ceiling bounce headlamp:
Last night, I was playing with flashlights with my girlfriend with the lights out. I improvised a ceiling bounce headlamp by strapping a Pak-Lite Super 9v to her pony tail with her hair tie with the light shining towards the white ceiling. It worked like a charm. Wrap with a bit of plastic shopping bag to further diffuse the light and go fully night adapted vision.

Click to expand...

You got to start watching what you post. You're gonna end up in a padded room.

Oh come on! I was proud! I was turning my girlfriend to the Dark Side!

Play with flashlights with your girlfriend and she sees the value in them. She doesn't even complain anymore.

Now THAT is a helpful flashaholic tip! Figure out what flashlights she wants and then give them to her.

Here is a few tips of my own.

Fingernail emery boards can be used to clean contacts on flashlights.
If you have a long tube flashlight with a corroded contact that you can't take apart try putting a pencil with eraser on it in a drill chuck at slow speed and polish it.
For storing batteries in devices that drain them slowly clear plastic from packages can be cut in strips and inserted between a contact or between batteries. Make sure and cut the strips long enough to bend over so you can easily see them and pull them out.
A cheap way to use AAs in a D cell device is to get pipe insulation and cut it. You may need to cut the side off some if it wraps around too much. You can use metal caps that are for axles if needed to adjust the length or for springs with large coils that won't contact the smaller diameter battery.

Night table tail standing mount trick. Go to a store that sells plumbing supplies taking your light with you and look through all the PVC fittings till you find on that your light slides in and out of. Some times you can find end caps or adapters. You can then buy poster putty and use that to stick the cap to the surface of your night stand and then turn on the light and stick it in the mount.

If you want to hang your light insulated solid house wire is good to use as you can bend it easily and if a large enough diameter is used it can even stick out to hold the light away from a surface. If you have ceiling vents you can bend a piece to make a hook to hang a flashlight on or two hooks to cradle one to point at a wall, I've used house wire to make a hair dryer hook in the bathroom attached near the end of a towel rod.

You can use opaque containers turn them upside down on top of a table and set a flashlight face down on top of them to make a lantern out of it or if you find one the right size you can attach one as a diffuser wand. You can also use a piece of paper on top of a tail standing light to diffuse light some and thicker paper or multiple layers of paper can dim the light down to a lower level.

For a keychain carry light attach a post it note on your battery inside of it so if you lose it someone who opens it will have your phone number to call to get your light back to you (you hope). If you have a twisty light that loosens up too easily try teflon tape on the threads several wraps of it can keep the light from falling apart on you.

Great stuff, Lynx_arc!

Cool video: tuber CrazyRussianHacker shows us how light hacking is done.

Included topics: fire from gum wrapper and battery, downgrading lights, improvised lights. Other vids on that playlist include butter lamps, cig lighter hacks, battery harvesting. I give him 4.5 stars out of 5.

All his videos are crazy, he's even got a slow mo video of opening a beer bottle with a chainsaw.

Next up we have hacking a cordless drill into a hand crank genny:
This guy is having way too much fun.

Tip for a make-shift ceiling-bounce: If you don't have a ceiling when you want to ceiling-bounce or you just want some all-around flood all you have to do is get your flashlight and point it up towards the sky then put your hand about 20cm (depending on your needs, and light) above the light with the light pointing at your hand and turn it on. (preferably on something not overly bright otherwise your hands will get really hot) The light will just bounce off your hand and provide all around flood.
If your using a key-chain light you could almost use one finger. Also if you want to direct some floody light towards one particular area you could put you hand diagonally above the light so the light bounces off your hand and over to the desired location; not just down. (Your hand kind of works like a mirror)

& yes that guy is having way too much fun...

Always wanted to find a thread like this. Thanks for starting this more_vamps!

Probably more than a few of us here at CandlePowerForums like to be prepared while out and about. A flood type of flashlight need not be very big if it is unlikely runtime will be very extensive, so we carry one of those. Then, having a single 18650 powered, general purpose light with decent throw can come in handy, so we carry one of those. And if we are going out at night where longer distances are involved, well then we'll have a dedicated thrower on our person.
Now here's the tip: Using both the general purpose in one hand and the dedicated thrower in the other hand will yield even more throw when shined on the target. Ta Dah!

ForrestChump said:

You got to start watching what you post. You're gonna end up in a padded room.

Click to expand...

Yup, wanna see a photo....

Improvised ceiling bounce headlamp:
Last night, I was playing with flashlights with my girlfriend with the lights out. I improvised a ceiling bounce headlamp by strapping a Pak-Lite Super 9v to her pony tail with her hair tie with the light shining towards the white ceiling. It worked like a charm. Wrap with a bit of plastic shopping bag to further diffuse the light and go fully night adapted vision.

Click to expand...

ForrestChump said:

You got to start watching what you post. You're gonna end up in a padded room.

Click to expand...

matt4350 said:

Yup, wanna see a photo....

Click to expand...

Lol, ok. Pics or it didn't happen? Will update pic in post 1.

Flashy808 said:

Always wanted to find a thread like this. Thanks for starting this more_vamps!

Click to expand...

Hey, anytime friend! I wanted a thread like this too, couldn't really find one. Time to start it!

Glo-toob Flash Cap (fits in place of D cell maglite tail caps.) It comes with a magnet base for when not installed on a Maglite. I stuck it to the refrigerator as a night beacon to get snacks and brew so we don't trip and hurt ourselves. Runtimes are pretty good for a coin cell x4 light. It's useful for a pitch black flashlight, but don't expect massive outputs from a 5mmx3 cr2032x4 coin light.

Gifting of lights tip: Since we're flashaholics, set up a pile of all accessories offered for the light about to be gifted. You may be surprised at what they choose and don't choose. They might not take all the accessories.

matt4350 said:

Yup, wanna see a photo....

Click to expand...

Post 1 updated with bare pak-lite.

...with diffuser


Before you laugh, check the beamshot:


Remember, if it works and it's stupid, then it's not stupid. Diffuser eliminates glare and makes fully night adapted vision much more comfortable.

Finding my GF in the dark is now easier than ever before!

more_vampires said:

Post 1 updated with bare pak-lite.

Click to expand...

Thanks for clearing this one

Edit: Also thanks for starting this thread and collecting together a great load of information! I was also thinking about Selfbuilt's "Tips for effective flashlight use?" thread but you've made great effort covering many of the tips discussed there.

Ceiling bounce from aluminum foil: Instead of using the ceiling or your hand twist a piece of aluminum foil on its one end and tie it around your the head of your flashlight. Bend the other end over the head. If you want the light to be more focused bend the foil into the shape of a spoon (not sure if you could use actual spoon too). I used this tip when we were bbq'ing in a grillhouse that had the ceiling covered black with ash / coal and there was no chance to use the ceiling bounce.

Balloon lantern: As I've posted before: Use a balloon to make a diffuser. This tip is by TurboBB in: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...FFUSER-IDEAS&p=3276614&viewfull=1#post3276614 : "Adjust the air in the balloon to control the light diffusion. I'd imagine if you used a long and skinny one, it'll be very close in profile to the conical diffusers but this works great for casting 360 spherical wall of light." You can find balloons with different colours. I've found yellow, red and white most useful.

Haven't seen the most useful ones:

1. In your lights with alkaline batteries, when they are dead, you can take out the batteries and hit them against concrete or asphalt or something hard to shake up the inside chemistry and get the current flowing again. You will gain an extra 10 minutes of light from an otherwise dead light, minutes which might be critical. It's free lumens.
Same thing goes for the radios and all devices that use Alkaline AA, D, etc. cells. Smash it hard on all sides but try not to deform it so it still fits into the tube.

2. If you are in the woods and need to make a campfire and don't have any source of fire, smashing a Lithium CR123A cell with a rock will generate a nice fire (with toxic fumes) for a few minutes you can then use to build a larger fire on. This works in all weather, in the dark and with no other equipment. The most high tech equipment you need is a few rocks. Just another nice feature of Lithiums. Not sure if the Energizer L91s work the same way but CR123A certainly does. Used cells work just fine.