Life Expectancy

[sweetlight]

I EDC two lights when I work plus theres always a third on my key chain.

I have a ITP AAA in loose in my pocket and a Fenix L1T in a holster. I also always carry a ITP AAA on my key chain.

I've been doing this for about a year and all lights have performed perfectly. I was wondering if anyone knows how long these lights usually last? Am I on borrowed time or should I expect much more from them?

 

[Fulgeo]

I EDC two lights when I work plus theres always a third on my key chain.

I have a ITP AAA in loose in my pocket and a Fenix L1T in a holster. I also always carry a ITP AAA on my key chain.

I've been doing this for about a year and all lights have performed perfectly. I was wondering if anyone knows how long these lights usually last? Am I on borrowed time or should I expect much more from them?

If by lifespan you mean how long will the emitter last then I would say a lifetime of normal use. The Cree line of emitters is rated at 50,000 hours. Now this lifespan is not until it stops working but until it drops to 70% of its rated output. So I would say you need not worry about "burning out" the LED. I think you will run into problems with the drive circuitry and/or battery holder aspect of the light before the emitter fails yah. I have had a AAA Cree light in my pocket for about 2 years. I use it just about every day. The aluminum case is getting battered from riding in my pocket with my other effects but it still works great. I think I would wear thru the aluminum body of the flashlight before the emitter itself would fail me.

 

[Belstaff1464]

It will depend a lot on how hard the LEDs are being driven. LEDs don't like heat. Of course there are other type of failures: a component in the circuitry going kaput, the wear and tear of the switch, the threads wearing out, etc...

 

[HarryN]

It will depend a lot on how hard the LEDs are being driven. LEDs don't like heat. Of course there are other type of failures: a component in the circuitry going kaput, the wear and tear of the switch, the threads wearing out, etc...

Exactly, the LEDs are not really life limiting, it is more likely the driver in most lights.

Interestingly, the number one failure mode of most home flashlights is - loosing them.