Surefire E2

[DavidTHR]

I have been carrying my Surefire E2 almost everyday for just over 6 months.

I would estimate I use it on average about 3 times a week from 1 second to 30 seconds at a time, depending on the task at hand.

I am still using the original set of Surefire batteries that came with my E2, and the flashlight appears to work fine with a bright beam.

My question:

How can you tell IN ADVANCE that it is time to change out the batteries on a Surefire?

I don't want to need my E2, only to find out I have no "juice" left. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Are there any tips on when I should change the batteries in my Surefire to ensure I will have the use of it when needed?
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Thanks.

 

[was_jlh]

David, my E2 reaches a point where there is a noticeable ( to me ) difference in the quality of the beam, and it definitely begins to "yellow". You'll see it.

Joe

 

[Double_A]

David- You will notice it, as Joe said. You wont have much juice left after you do. You might have 5-10 minutes continuous. So I'd keep a second set of batteries handy. Also it's not good to drain the little last bit of power from the batteries. Since the light bulb operates best at hot temps, running it down till it has no juice left could shorten the bulb life.

GregR

 

[JohnK]

It bugs the snot out of me to have a bunch of 50-60-70 % depleted batteries. We all want that FULL one hour of run time when we whip out the bright ones.

I probably change after 30-40 minutes, if it's a light I really depend on.

I keep the old batts for the SL TT's LED's if I ever need them.

 

[DavidTHR]

With your everyday carry light, how often do you need to "test" it to make sure it is not producing the yellow "low battery" beam?

Weekly? Daily? ???

Also, if you give the light a quick second flash against a white wall, would that be enough time to tell if your batteries are getting low, or do you need you observe the light for a longer period of time to tell?

Thanks.

 

[Noah Monk]

<font color="blue"> How can you tell IN ADVANCE that it is time to change out the batteries on a Surefire? </font>

The first sign is the felt need to ask the question. The clear answer: sell E2, buy L4! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

<font color="blue"> I don't want to need my E2, only to find out I have no "juice" left. </font>

see above!

<font color="blue"> Are there any tips on when I should change the batteries in my Surefire to ensure I will have the use of it when needed? </font>

Sure, when your new L4 suddenly drops out of regulation, you'll have no trouble detecting it. Time for new batteries - even better, time to recharge your PILA battery. Way, way, way better than buying all those little CR123's. PILA battery highly recommended - stay charged at all times!

 

[Double_A]

David-

You need longer than a quick flash at a wall to check battery status. I'd say 2-3 minutes should do it for lithiums.

How often you check depends on how often you use it. The big advantage of lithium cells is their long storage life, so they don't tend to go dead if you haven't used the flashlight in a while.

Your question is one we all get antsy about, "is it time to change my batteries" or at least I get antsy anyway. Sounds dumb but there have been times I wish my batteries would go, so I could put fresh ones in.

The best solution many of us has found is to change them out before you need to and use them in a single cell, regulated, LED light. It's important to use a single cell light as using pairs of batteries of any type with uneven amount of juice left the weaker one will kill the stronger battery. The ARC-LS series are perfect for this cause you can squeeze the last bit of power out of them.

GregR

 

[Pi_is_blue]

Double A-
That is exactly what I use my LSH-P for much of the time. When my E2e starts to yellow, I just pop the cells out and use them up in my LSH-P. I'm not sure how long they will run like this because I had one just completely die after a couple days of not using the LSH-P.

 

[chamenos]

johnk: sounds like you want an A2 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif you may not always have batteries that have 100% of their charge left, but you'll always get 100% output /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

david: in my experience with non-regulated lithium lights, the batteries generally keep the output of the light pretty constant, but once the beam starts to yellow or dim noticeably you'll only have about 5-10 minutes left of runtime before the batteries become too weak to power the lamp. your best bet would be to keep a spare set of batteries with you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bravo25]

I would find a holster that will let you carry a spare set of batteries. I have a Bianchi M1035 #2 holster that I keep one of my Scorpions in, and it has room for 12 Extra batteries. Plus 2 in the light gives me a minimum runtime of 7 hours. I would not recomend carrying this on a belt, but you get the idea.