Surefire Output Regulation Question

[ekardscribner73]

Hoping someone with more knowledge and experience can help me with this question.

I've been looking at what few runtime graphs I can find for Surefire and Elzetta lights, along with the Malkoff Runtime Charts thread and some other discussion. I'm led to believe that in modern Surefire lights there is an initial period of full regulated output followed by a decline as the batteries drain. On the other hand, some lights such as the Elzetta Alpha or Malkoff MDC feature an initial burst of very high output followed by a programmed step-down, while other larger Malkoffs or Elzettas have good enough regulation to sustain their rated output for a significant period of time.

My question is: does the initial high output of a current Surefire light like the Fury, Peacekeeper or EDCL(X)-T reset after the light is turned off, even with partially depleted cells; or is it simply that the initial high output is an over-rating that the light can't sustain?

I've come to appreciate lights with stable output over the course of their runtime. It seems that many "1000-lumen" lights are really more like 400-lumen lights anyway for most of the battery's useful life. You all have more experience than I: how have you felt about your Surefires' output as it relates to runtime and battery life?

 

[Olumin]

In my experience current Surefires arent regulated very well & fully exploit the ANSI standard like most other manufacturers. My Fury can only reach its claimed 1500lm for a very short time on a fresh battery and will not reset after being turned off, with "turbo" being entirely inaccessible for the vast majority of its runtime. Its a shame because SF used to be good with regulation. If you want stable output stick to Malkoff. Cant speak about Elzetta as I dont own any.

 

[ekardscribner73]

Thanks for the feedback; that's exactly what I was looking for. It is a shame indeed, because other aspects of their current lineup are simply awesome.

Poor regulation has removed most of the market from my interest. If my $60 Streamlight 2L-X can produce two to three hours of stable output on high, there's no excuse. Streamlight's lights use an extreme initial output spike to inflate the numbers, too, but at least the output settles down and stays relatively constant. Malkoff's tightly controlled regulation is impressive.

 

[michaex]

Re: Surefire EDCL1-T Runtime Tests

EDCL1-T runtime tests:

With Duracell Ultra CR123A:

With 16650 until the protection circuit kicked in:

With K2 Energy LFP:

Poor regulation with recent SF? I'm drawing different conclusion!

 

[ekardscribner73]

Thanks for pointing that out. I'd seen that thread but forgotten about it. Any idea how they're fitting a 16650 in an EDCL1-T?


Here's more I didn't realize:

-The output is almost perfectly flat for the first minute. No nosedives on startup like some lights.
-Stepdown starts at 1 min and settles in to its "constant on" output by 1:20
-The light steps back up if power is cycled off and back on

I'd be interested to hear more experiences about the Fury DFT or EDCL2-T as well. What kind of output can be expected during the life cycle of the battery? Does anyone else notice the lights reverting to their original high output after turning off and back on again?

 

[michaex]

Thanks for pointing that out. I'd seen that thread but forgotten about it. Any idea how they're fitting a 16650 in an EDCL1-T?

I haven't used it myself, but it had to be edcl1-t head on a 2 cell body.