The Elzetta two-mode switch

[fyrstormer]

I tried the two-mode tailcap on my Solarforce L2M, which is 18650-compatible from the factory, and the wall of the tube was too thin for the mode-selector pin to contact it properly.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Yeah, the pin was designed for 17mm walls. Many 18mm walls are very thin, more like 19mm.

 

[socom1970]

Would a three cell body fit two 17500s?

Yes, my three cell Elzetta uses two 17500's just fine. It really is a great light. And the two-stage quiet clickie tailcap works very well, but as stated above, don't use it on SF C-bodied lights. Elzettas are definitely worth having.:thumbsup:

 

[fyrstormer]

It looks like the pin could be replaced with something wider, or possibly bent outward to contact the thinner wall of an 18mm-bored body, but the switch would have to be disassembled first. Since I don't have any spares, I'm disinclined to experiment right now.

 

[DuncanHynes]

Word of warning - this switch doesn't work well on 6P-type bodies, even if it is compatible with them. Unlike a Surefire tailcap which will have some friction even after it is twisted from its bottom position, this tailcap becomes very, very loose as soon as you untighten it at all. Considering that you need to twist it in order to get the low mode, it isn't really feasible in practice.

I'm sure it's better with the actual Elzetta body it was intended for. Just posting this here in case anyone else gets the bright idea of ordering just the tailcap to lego their Surefires or Malkoffs into two-mode lights.. I did. :banghead:

This is the same experience I had thinking/wanting the same results. It was confirmed by the makers of Elzetta their switches are not intended for any other body. :caution:

 

[xevious]

From a post made by another member, I became curious about Elzetta and checked out their website. They have a featured demonstration where they disassemble a light with the two-mode switch... under water. But then they reassemble the light, UNDER WATER. And it still works. The Malkoff module is fully potted and so are the other electronics, including the switch. Pretty impressive demonstration. Is there any other light on the market that can claim this level of water resistance?

 

[BenChiew]

I think they should have at least sealed the optics in the drop in. It is surely not waterproof when i dunked it.

 

[fyrstormer]

A distinction needs to be made between the M60 and M61 drop-ins. The M61 is not sealed on the front like the M60 is.

 

[socom1970]

From a post made by another member, I became curious about Elzetta and checked out their website. They have a featured demonstration where they disassemble a light with the two-mode switch... under water. But then they reassemble the light, UNDER WATER. And it still works. The Malkoff module is fully potted and so are the other electronics, including the switch. Pretty impressive demonstration. Is there any other light on the market that can claim this level of water resistance?

Even if this is possible, I wouldn't want my Elzetta 3-cell/M60 filled with water for any real length of time. Something about Lithium batteries being in the water-filled light sealed up like that.:poof:

Although, I've put lithium 123's into water for a while to test them for reactivity... nothing at all.:thinking:

I would bet the Malkoff MD(x) lights or SF C/P-series with M60 drop-ins would pass that test also.

Nonetheless, Elzetta lights are top-notch.

 

[fyrstormer]

The lithium is sealed inside the battery, and the discharge cycle causes a release of gas that always provides a slight positive pressure inside the battery shell. The likelihood of water soaking into the the inside of the battery through the gas-release vent is *extremely* small. Remember, these batteries were developed for military use; the designers expected them to get mistreated from time to time.

 

[socom1970]

The lithium is sealed inside the battery, and the discharge cycle causes a release of gas that always provides a slight positive pressure inside the battery shell. The likelihood of water soaking into the the inside of the battery through the gas-release vent is *extremely* small. Remember, these batteries were developed for military use; the designers expected them to get mistreated from time to time.

Good to know. That does make me feel a bit better about the whole deal. Thank you for the clarification.:thumbsup:

 

[BenChiew]

Is there a way to convert a rotary Elzetta tailcap to a clicky tailcap?