Submersion test - do you dare?

[hopkins]

Figured I had to find out if the O-ring seals would keep the water
out. Think my test setup would duplicate the most likely submersions: ie
dropping the light in a mudpuddle, a stream, or into the sink the GF is washing the dinner dishes.

My Rayovac 2AA 3watt sportsman extreme was still dry inside after 3minutes.
:thumbsup:

 

[Marduke]

Did you try backing it off, and using the momentary mode while submerged? That's how I'm suspect of that particular light.

Good to know it's water tight when screwed down though :twothumbs

 

[ambientmind]

i have taken my inova x5, jetbeam cle and mkIIx in the pool with no problems!

 

[spyderknut]

HDS EDC no problem!

 

[Bushman5]

Only lights i trust in the water or in wet conditions are the tried tested and true Pelican series, notably the Sabrelight and the Saberlight LED.

my fenix, mags, surefire no way.

 

[hopkins]

OK CPF'ers. I could say I went down to 60feet with a Petzl zipka and all
was still dry inside but it'd be opposite of the truth.

NEED pictures to back up the waterproof claim.

Extra credit for saltwater tests!
Double extra for changing the batteries
underwater and it still fires! (freshwater only)

 

[hopkins]

Hey marduke - about backing off the twist cap - how right you are.
Next time I'm inspecting the bottom off our pool at night I'll be sure not to
use the momentary switch.

 

[StefanFS]

I put my Regalight WT1 in a frozen pond for a long time without problems. In the end of post #2.
Stefan

 

[KeeperSD]

Here is a good picture, i can't take credit for this though. GlenC emailed this through a while ago. Glen informed me that the light had been on in the glass for 5 days before being taken out

Hope you don't mind me stealing your thunder Glen, if so let me know and i will remove the link. By the way great photo :twothumbs

 

[Lightraven]

Well, I dared in A Momentary Lapse of Reason (name the band AND the ousted founding member whose name is apropos).

A few nights ago, I waded into the Pacific Ocean to "retrieve a person of interest" (pepper spray was helpful) using my Wolf Eyes Boxer 24Watt High Intensity Discharge. My Surefire M6 was submerged and my Novatac 120T may also have gone for a swim.

All lights functioned during and after. No signs of saltwater intrusion or corrosion--though I did rinse them in fresh water.

I've gone swimming in a pool at night with my EDC60 turned on and never had any water entry.

 

[Oddjob]

When I get a new light I usually take it into the shower as that is usually the kind of water exposure ny lights would get i.e. camping and outdoor activities etc. I turn them on and off and change modes and then I hold it under the tap for a minute or two (to simulate dropping in a puddle). All of my lights have passed this test.
I have had my McLux III PD-S and HDS U60 submerged for over an hour in the pool and of course neither had any water intrusion.

 

[Khaytsus]

I keep saying I'm going to dunk my P2D to make sure it's waterproof, but I think I'll take the battery out first.. Still not sure 123 primaries would like getting wet, if that happened.

My biggest concern really is that I've replaced the boot with a GITD one, although the size is pretty close to the original boot.

 

[eebowler]

Did it with a UK 4AA eLED (submirscible to 10 ft) and a minimag in about 18 in of water and the UK got wet inside while the mag did not...

Submerged a Nuwai 2AA 1W flashlight in 4 ft of water already without problems. Dunked my moded SL enduro in about 1ft of water without problems.

Washed my Nuwai 3AAA headlamp, and all my Fenix lights under the tap numerous times without any leak.

My SL 1AA tasklight took in a little water through the tailcap vent when submerged.

 

[hopkins]

Hey Lightraven - you rule! Flashlights in the PO surf at night protecting
civilization. It'd be difficult to top that.
Will they ever make a tactical light with a video camera in it for those
choice moments ? Be nice to show that in court!

 

[SaVaGe]

I submerged my Nova 120P while its on Emg. Strobe for 30 min. on my 55 gallon fish tank. NO Problem!!

 

[Burgess]

Did it bother the fish ?

:candle:
_

 

[Lightraven]

Thanks, Hopkins, my supervisor said, "You must have really wanted that guy." But I was topped at roll call today.

Two of our studs were recorded by a police helicopter infrared camera chasing down another agency's armed robbers after a vehicle pursuit and bailout last week. The bad guy driver is taken to the ground hard, fighting, with a handgun. The chopper pilot says our guy needs help ASAP but then you see (in thermal black and white) our guy knock the bad guy out cold and cuff him up. The chopper then flies over the other bad guys.

The second stud goes after the two other robbers and takes one to the ground while aiming his gun at the other. Both surrender. On the tape, the "other agency" pilot is clearly impressed with our guys and so were we--a round of applause and cheers at the happy ending.

 

[meuge]

OK CPF'ers. I could say I went down to 60feet with a Petzl zipka and all
was still dry inside but it'd be opposite of the truth.

NEED pictures to back up the waterproof claim.

Extra credit for saltwater tests!
Double extra for changing the batteries
underwater and it still fires! (freshwater only)

Fenix P2D R100

3.5% Sodium Chloride (salt) - approximate composition of seawater.
1 hour

@ 30 min and 60min -> turned bezel to switch mode, and pressed the button to turn on/off.

The light functioned with no problems.

 

[hopkins]

Good picture meuge!
A $60 Fenix underSALTwater in more than twice the risk I took with my
rayovac 2AA 3w.

Wonder if someone will post a submerged pic of an over $500 flash - maybe with boiling bubbles coming off the radiator fins..hah!

 

[uh1c]

Fenix T1: 3 minutes in 5 gallon bucket while turned on. Removed: Light shook, Surface dried: Switch used 5x: Passed-no problems.