NOW THATS A TOUGH LIGHT!

[spin1078]

So I mistakenly washed...AND DRIED...my Coleman Max (small version uses two CR2s)


I just cant believe it. When I pulled oout the clothes I reached in with a curious thought "hmmm whats that? OH MAN, NOT MY LIGHT!"

And to my surprise, she fired right up. Bright as can be (considering its about time for some new batteries) so I give it props. AND the Energizer CR2's which Im not big on, did well in my heat test. I still cant believe it works after the wash and tumbling around for an hour. I havent even hung up the clothes, I came right here to post.

The vinyl tape I wrapped around the body and the head for grip didnt even get messed up (NOTE: no tape was over any of the seals. The points of separation were all exposed and all had nice thick orings, not to mention nice threading with good tolerances.) Touche Colman, Touche.

 

[Dole]

Glad everything turned out okay.

But on the other hand. This seems like a great way to test the durability of flashlights

The Washer/Dryer torture test.

 

[Ilikeshinythings]

Title and message sound like a commercial.

Cool though! Nice that it survived. Somewhere on here there is a thread about an Arc AAA surviving under water for ~ 5 years. Don't think the battery worked anymore but still a cool story.

 

[spin1078]

just glad it wasnt my tk11. I just got it two days ago. I have to say that Coleman Max is a great EDC. I mean if you can stand CR2's. I am going to look into a lithium Ion Rechargeable for it. 17somethings I think it is. I will search around. I know I can find the exact number in five seconds. With my Ultrafire universal charger, thats the way to go with these expensive batteries. And not buying them at walgreens or walmart. Online is a better deal.

 

[spin1078]

by the way I found 12 packs of cr2's for 28.00 bucks.

http://www.medicbatteries.com/lithium-cr2-batteries-cr2-lithium-battery.aspx?DepartmentId=40

unless you guys have a better site, which I will search around and see what I find here.



The deals there are great. those are Ultras and the shipping is free

 

[Benson]

just glad it wasnt my tk11. I just got it two days ago. I have to say that Coleman Max is a great EDC. I mean if you can stand CR2's. I am going to look into a lithium Ion Rechargeable for it.

There's no direct replacement. You can use 14250s (a hair smaller) or 15266s (aka RCR2, same size), but the voltage is higher. Since the 2xCR2 MAX is a resistor-driven light, that higher voltage means more current and more heat. I ran one that way fro a little while, and it's not real bad, but it's unsatisfactory.

The other option is to drop a 14500 in (lower voltage, it'll light up, but at reduced current), and modify/replace the driver for full power. This would probably make good sense; I was thinking of possibly doing an AMC7135-based mod, but just reducing the resistance would work.

Unfortunately, I thought I could squeeze enough length out to make it a 14670 direct-drive instead, and destroyed my tailcap in the attempt. :green: So don't try that.

 

[FlashInThePan]

Great story! It's always fun to see just how much "actual" abuse our lights can take.

I've got a plucky little draco (by modamag) that has made its share of washer runs...and the only thing that does is shine her right up.

- FITP

 

[DM51]

Good story! But I would recommend you don't get too confident of your light's seemingly indestructible qualities and do the following:

1. What Mrs.H2ORower did
2. What nauss's uncle did
- or -
3. Anything Sgt.LED does

LOL!

 

[SmithGW]

Oh yeah! Well my UltraStinger was still burning last time I saw it as it descended through about 60-70 feet deep. Minor point that I wasn't actually with it at that depth and I didn't exactly have positive control of it. But hey, why sweat the small details?