reverse polarity protection - Zebralight and in general all 1AA and 2AA lights

[coachclass]

Although Zebralight doesn't say that their lights have reverse polarity protection, will it hurt anything if you put the battery in backwards?

In general, is reverse polarity a problem with 1AA and 2AA lights? I don't know the electronics well enough. How does reversing the polarity permanently harm the electronics of LED lights? Don't diodes only let current in from one direction, and act as a barrier for current going in the opposite direction? Or is there possible harm to the boost/switching circuit?

 

[jimmy1970]

A lights' ability to cope with a reverse polarity situation has nothing to do with the battery voltage or chemistry. Some lights utilise a simple mechanical 'reverse polarity protection' with a couple of 'bumps' surrrounding the positive terminal to restrict a flat, negative battery terminal from making contact with the positive terminal of the light. Other lights use a diode to stop a reverse current situation.

More advanced lights like the HDS Clicky have a more complex non-diode dependant system that I honestly don't understand.:thinking:

In summary, be very careful with lights like Nitecore D10/D20s etc. With a backwards battery, these lights will experience the old 'magic smoke' routine everytime!!!:green:

James....

 

[coachclass]

I'm kind of afraid to try it on my Zebra. Has anyone accidentally put in a battery backwards in their Zebras? Anything bad happen?