Elzetta- The industry's best kept secret.

[archimedes]

I had something similar (but much more severe) happen to the dome of one particular emitter, an MC-E, I think.

It spontaneously became covered in a sort of "frosty-looking" fuzz.

Still worked, though, apart from the obvious interference with the optics.

Not a commercial light engine, it was a custom mod (in an Aleph e-can) ... extremely weird.

 

[desert.snake]

I had something similar (but much more severe) happen to the dome of one particular emitter, an MC-E, I think.

It spontaneously became covered in a sort of "frosty-looking" fuzz.

Still worked, though, apart from the obvious interference with the optics.

Not a commercial light engine, it was a custom mod (in an Aleph e-can) ... extremely weird.

Yeah, like frozen soap bubble

Has your MCE died?

 

[archimedes]

Yeah, like frozen soap bubble

Yes, very much like that.

Has your MCE died?

No.

 

[desert.snake]

Yes, very much like that.

No.

So everything is OK, if put a flood lens, then maybe it will even benefit

 

[Modernflame]

Last night I used my Bones for about an hour continuously. The head of the flashlight got a bit warm, so I ran it briefly under the tap. Of course I checked to make sure that the bezel ring was fully tightened first. I didn't notice it last night, but there was significant water ingress. Fortunately, the emitter did not get wet.

When I took it apart to dry it, the only unusual thing I noticed was that the threads and O-rings had no lube whatsoever. While that may have contributed to the leak, I don't think a little running water should get past the O-rings. From time to time I clean all of my lights this way and have never had a problem.

Anyone else ever experience this?

 

[peter yetman]

I've been concerned about this since I read it.
I wonder if you have the correct orings in the lens area?
I think I'd take the bezel off and check around the lens for orings, then maybe Mr Fixer would count his and you can compare. I really don't think it should be leaking.
P

 

[thermal guy]

You know same thing happened to me few weeks ago. Not an elzetta. Head got hot pretty dam hot so gave her a soak to cool it off and found water in the light when I took it apart. There is a possibility that the aluminum is expanding a little when the head gets hot and allowed water to get in.

 

[the0dore3524]

The same happened to me a couple years back with my Alpha. I threw it in the pool for fun, and when I took it out and washed it off, I noticed water had leaked into the optic and head. It might have to do with the heat and thermal expansion like @thermal guy said.

Stock O-ring at the lens. I ended up reseating it, but haven’t tried throwing it in water since.

 

[bykfixer]

Factory original setup and replacements.
The four to the left are Alpha and Bravo/Charlie specific.
Of the four the bottom left one fits at the tail cap end of the Elzetta lineup.

 

[peter yetman]

Also thinking scientifically....
When you heat up trhe head the air inside it expands and maybe vents slightly around the Orings. When you cool it fast inder water the air cotracts and will suck in water.
With normal perssures inside and outside the light water will not enter, but you've just turned your light into a vacuum cleaner.
P

 

[bykfixer]

Hmmmmmm……
Could beeeeeee

 

[LTBL777]

A light with this rep and cost should not leak.

 

[thermal guy]

No. But it could just be a bad O-Ring. Best to find out the real reason that this happened before we start sending hate mail 😁

 

[Modernflame]

Thanks for the concern, fellas. After inspection, I find that the O-rings were in tact and correctly seated. They've now been properly lubed and reinstalled. Still not sure what caused the leak.

 

[bykfixer]

One thing I learned with my first Alpha is it is easy to get the o'ring between the lens and bezel misaligned. Sometimes it would take me a couple of tries to tighten down the bezel and not see a portion of the o'ring.

Perhaps it's that with yours.

 

[slumber]

I've always been a little suspicious that no Elzetta AVS review did any real torture testing. The M60 in an Elzetta has been beaten beyond expectation, but the AVS doesn't have the same level of torture applied in reviews. I own and love my AVS, but I suspect the bezel ring is the weak point compared to the M60 bezel.

 

[thermal guy]

Thanks for the concern, fellas. After inspection, I find that the O-rings were in tact and correctly seated. They've now been properly lubed and reinstalled. Still not sure what caused the leak.

Well time to check the other end. If you got the whole thing wet water could of came in through the switch or where tailcap screws on the body.

 

[fordcappy]

Same here with the Alpha o ring on the head. My experience is you can over tighten the bezel and crimp the o ring.

 

[bykfixer]

I found it interesting how the o'ring of the Bones and Bravo against the body are in the same location but the one on the Bones is thicker.

 

[Modernflame]

One thing I learned with my first Alpha is it is easy to get the o'ring between the lens and bezel misaligned...

Same here with the Alpha o ring on the head. My experience is you can over tighten the bezel and crimp the o ring.

I'll have to experiment a bit more, but I think this is the weak point. Using another flashlight to illuminate the bezel, I can see the O-ring in some places, but it disappears completely in others.

If you got the whole thing wet water could of came in through the switch or where tailcap screws on the body.

Sorry, forgot to mention that there was no water in the battery compartment.