1x123 Tail Switch Packs: Post Your Test Results Here

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McGizmo- I will try backing it out, I really don't want to send this back, for one thing, I don't know if this is a 1st or 2nd, but it has the best circle-beam of a ls with white light of any other lights I have. Not counting the extra strong 3 AA Mr. Bulk special.
This light does have 2 O-Rings, since Home Depo had only had 3/32 thick ones, instead of the suggested 1/8 ones. Good idea, thanks, I think it was your O-Ring idea, I know others have concured with the benifits of it.
-Mark
 
I`ve gotten to admire the tail switch, and have found it to be very useful.

The only problem that I`ve had to date is that twice the Arc LS (with the tail switch) has accidently turned on while being carried in my front trouser pocket.

Warm it is!
 
MC,

If backing out the light works, I would think the two O'rings would keep you from compressing the battery train too much? The one fat O-ring I have solved my problem. Send my your address and I'll throw a couple of fat O-rings in the mail to you.

- Don
 
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Wasn't that one of the design objectives? To save battery loss, it needed to signal the pocket carrying user that it was turned on even though the light wasn't visible.

For about $2.00 per hand per hour, you can run these inside mittens during winter, too. And you get a free flashlight with every handwarmer.
 
I'll bet this is a great hit on the club scene.
Tho I think 2aa or 3aa would be better.
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How does Gransee scour thru all these to see results of the testing?
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Bring on the cold winter nights in Wisconsin.

With my Arc LS tail switch flashlights, I`ll be both warm and be able to see the landscape in front of me!

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Originally posted by TOB9595:
I'll bet this is a great hit on the club scene.
Tho I think 2aa or 3aa would be better.
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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Hit on the club scene?? Do you know something about Arc LS1 as a weapon that you care to share with us?
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Just finished a little test for internal resistance in the switch. I took a set of measurments on the output of the photocell when exposed to the LS/123. The light was turned off 10-15 seconds between measurments.

The measurments made with the standard battery holder were very tight...one at 1.640 ma and four at 1.610 ma for an average of 1.616 ma.

The measurements made with the modified battery holder (w/ switch) were not as tight as with the standard battery holder. The average of 15 measurments was 1.465 ma. Five of these measurments were made using the same battery that was used in the standard battery holder.

Summary of measurments:

Standard battery holder.............1.616ma
Modified battery holder.............1.465ma

Conclusion:

There appears to be some internal resistance in the tail switch that is dropping the light output to some degree.
 
If you performed the tests on the standard holder first is there any chance that the batteries were simply tired by the time you got to the clickie?

I'd expect the spring to provide less conductivity due to the reduced surface area but those numbers are surprising.

Perhaps some form of button could be added to the end of the spring. Something like the tailcap spring on the SureFire 9N?
 
Roy,

Good test. I had wondered about that myself, especially with some of the lights that draw significant curent. I guess the good news is with the LS2 and LS3, constant curret drivers will compensate for this??? Wonder if the reduction in run time is significant. I am willing to make some compromise for having a "clickie". The solution is no doubt in a better and more dependable side contact between switch and battery tube. I suspect that a higher pitch spring that was say 20 turns per inch would be likely to allign with the thread pitch of the battery tube and make more surface contact with the tube might help.

EDIT: But then the spring may not compress enough...........
 
Originally posted by Roy:
Summary of measurments:
Standard battery holder.............1.616ma
Modified battery holder.............1.465ma
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Nice test, Roy! Thanks! I wonder if how well this will hold up once the light has aged a little and the contacts have oxizided some.

I wonder too how much resistance Chemkote adds to a battery pack...
 
Good point about the coating. My LS is a second numbered First Run #466. The 123 battery holder appears to be coated with something inside and out. The modified switch appears quite shiney both inside and out when compaired to the standard holder.

The test was started with a fresh battery in each holder. I did five measurments with the modified holder using the battery from standard holder to see if there was a battery difference. Each five measurment group used about 2-3 minutes of battery life.
 
Well, I've whacked this switch all week and it still works well. I gave it a little more stress because of how I used it. I hold the light in my fist with the switch down and hit the switch into the table top. Its a lot easier on the thumb.

Conclusion so far, I like it. It's pretty reliable. But I have a suggestion for the future light. Could you have a button the size of the switch with a nipple inside that screws in, in place of the switch? Then the contact would be just like the old design for turning the head to turn on the light. Then the user could pick their option. The occasional turning on in the pocket would not be too cool on camping trips with limited batteries.

Also, the old way made the light look very cool and bulletproof. Although the new switch is very functional, others have noticed problems and it's only been a week.

Just my opinion,.
 
Say, guys - has anyone field-tested the water-tightness of the Kroll/powerpack seal?

I know Peter has mentioned successful 200ft pressure tests earlier, but how does it hold up to repeated activation in heavy downpours, for example? Would its operation cause a slight vacuum (upon releasing after depressing), possibly sucking in water? I must say though, it *does* seal very very well on a Mag.

Would greasing the threads with some sort of heavy grease be advisable? It might assist in keeping that skyjuice out...
 
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