LD20 heat

[ctn555]

I just bought a LD20 and it gets rather warm on turbo mode.

Is it safe to run it in turbo mode for long periods say fresh eneloops until it dies?

 

[Locoboy5150]

I haven't had any problems with mine after some turbo runs close to an hour long with freshly charged Duraloop batteries. Fenix doesn't mention any turbo mode time limitations in the instruction manual either like with the TK40. (The time limit listed in the TK40 manual is pretty much bogus based on mine and other CPF members' experiences with exceeding it by a wide margin without any problems whatsoever.)

 

[McAllan]

Mine warms up too. But if it's not wrapped in a blanket or similar then no problem. I've even let it stand by itself powered on for an hour (with NiMH). No problems here.

As Locoboy5150 say no problem with the TK 40 either - what I have observed with mine. Guess it's only a problem with alkaline. The current draw of the TK40 is no problem with NiMH which will only heat slightly. But alkaline will heat more. So the sum of heat from both emitter and batteries can easier become too much with alkaline. Must say though that I've only used my TK40 with NiMH so far - no practical experience.

 

[ctn555]

Nice ! that's good to know.

I was worried to see that kinda heat coming off the head.

 

[John_Galt]

The head heating up is a good thing. It means that the heat the LED is producing is moving quickly away from the LED. Yes, the light will get hot on longer runtimes, but if you hold the light by the head, your circulatory system will provide adequate cooling for the LED.

 

[luke_DF]

same here - mine it gets a little warm when in turbo mode for long time, but apparently that's a good thing.

 

[McAllan]

The head heating up is a good thing. It means that the heat the LED is producing is moving quickly away from the LED. Yes, the light will get hot on longer runtimes, but if you hold the light by the head, your circulatory system will provide adequate cooling for the LED.

I'd say the LD20 is even fine for longer periods standing or laying alone in room temp - I've done that and I'd guess it's temperature was like 45 but no more than 50 degree Celcius after 30 min - nothing to be worried about. At least when used with NiMH. Alkaline might be a problem wince they in contrast to NiMH also heat up. But of no where burning your hands then it should be just fine. Just don't wrap it in a blanket.

A PD20 (CR123A) though might get into trouble because of smaller body - but the thread wasn't about that one.

 

[ctn555]

Is it bad for the batteries to heat up?

I also have a small 1xAA X-Glow Cree http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=167598 that gets very hot, but the heat is from the batteries. NIMH gets hotter than Alkaline. After about 5-10mins, The batteries will reach about 45deg.