took my TK40 and P1D-CE swimming

[burntoshine]

I was just in Panama City Beach, Florida this past week and decided to swim around in the pool with my Fenix P1D-CE (natural) on the medium setting. I had it on and completely submerged for at least 2 hours. Then I was feeling brave and went swimming with my Fenix TK40. The TK40 was probably on and under for about 45 minutes or an hour; maybe more. Both flashlights are absolutely waterproof and had no leakage whatsoever. Lit up the pool quite nicely. Had on some strobes for a little disco pool party.

I wasn't planning on taking the TK40 underwater intentionally. I thought it wasn't worth trying and was just thinking that it was nice knowing that it's probably waterproof, but my curiosity got the best of me, and now I know for sure.

 

[*Dusty*]

Some pics of that would be really cool!!

 

[dougie]

Glad to hear it worked out ok for you. I've never got enough money to replace one of my lights if it went wrong after taking a risk on its waterproof qualities like you've done!.

 

[kramer5150]

:twothumbs

FWIW, I have submersed my L1T in about a foot of water before and it survived just fine.

 

[Marduke]

FWIW, my TK20 routinely goes swimming in various combinations of mud and water, and gets hosed off after every outing.

 

[DimeRazorback]

Underwater beamshots request!




:thumbsup:

 

[StarHalo]

I was just in Panama City Beach, Florida this past week and decided to swim around in the pool with my Fenix P1D-CE

Another CPFer has gone diving with their P1D and also reported no issues. But I think you're the first to deliberately swim with a TK40, glad to hear it's also up to par.

FWIW, my TK20 routinely goes swimming in various combinations of mud and water, and gets hosed off after every outing.

That's a proper service flashlight picture, I'd definitely trust that light.

 

[burntoshine]

Dang! Didn't even think about beamshots for some stupid reason. They would've been nice, too. Only about 25% of the pool lighting was working, so it was pretty dark without my lights. It was a big, odd shaped pool (edgewater beach resort). I was throwing my P1D-CE across the pool and using it just like a diving stick.

I admit, I was pretty nervous about taking my TK40 underwater. I think I'll clean and relube those o-rings soon.

BTW, FWIW ...My first water test was accidental; my L0D-CE went through an entire wash cycle.

 

[berry580]

I once when diving with my iTP C7. I didn't get far though, probably around 3-4 metres at best. Lasted about 20 mins in total.

No issues at all.

I regularly take all my lights for shower with me. I tail stand them and turn the bathroom light off. None ever had any waterproof issues. Gives me this camping feeling.
Yes i know im weird lol

 

[DimeRazorback]

Haha I have often thought about the shower idea... but I'm yet to follow through with the idea

 

[Henk_Lu]

I don't know if I consider it brave or stupid to do such tests...

All those lights aren't made to go swim with, they are tested 1 meter under water without moving them.

I am glad to hear how watertight the lights really are, but the most mine have to take would be rain, unless an accident happens and Ilet the light fall in a puddle of water.

I surely don't recommend such tests, but, if you do them, check and grease your o-rings first!

 

[berry580]

well given the o-rings are against the wall, as long as the the o-rings are good (not damaged), I can't see how grease would improve water resistance.

but thanks for your opinion.

As with the IPX8 standard, it varies from one source to another. Could be anything from underwater 30cm for 30 mins to underwater 12 feet for 24 hours. The only similarity I've observed so far is that all standards assume static water pressure. (i.e. no movement)

In the end, these standards are a load of crap since water will almost never be static, just use your common sense and you'll be fine.

 

[arcel1t]

I recently went swimming\snorkling at night using my tk11-r2, checked it when I got back home no water penetration at all.

 

[burntoshine]

Yeah, I originally wanted to play around with only my P1D-CE because it's one of my oldest decent LED lights and I have always been curious as to the water proofing that all of these lights claim. The o-ring was significantly wore down compared to when I first got it, so I put the unused replacement o-ring on with some fresh silicone grease. I put some grease in the indentation where the o-ring goes before I put the o-ring on, too. I was mentally prepared for it to fail anyway. As for the TK40, I admit that was partial stupidity, but I couldn't resist; I had brought it to the pool with me and it was just sitting there looking at me like it wanted to join in the fun.

I don't plan on ever doing that again with my TK40 or any of my other favorite lights that I really don't want to lose. Though I think it's pretty cool to be able to tell people that I took them swimming.

 

[StarHalo]

I don't know if I consider it brave or stupid to do such tests...

Any and all of our modern flashaholic lights are completely waterproof and shouldn't be challenged at all by a swimming pool. It's up to the user to keep proper maintenance - if you don't feel your light is disposable, then it should be ready for any eventuality at any time, of which water is one of the simpler tests.

well given the o-rings are against the wall, as long as the the o-rings are good (not damaged), I can't see how grease would improve water resistance.

Grease, like oil, is hydrophobic - it repels water. If you get grease on your fingers and then wash your hands, you'll note that the water simply slides off your skin; any surface with a good coat of grease/oil essentially becomes waterproof.

An o-ring in theory seals a joint soundly, but there could be small crevices or cracks way down at the microscopic level that allow water to pass. By using grease/oil, you ensure the o-ring's contact area and sealing ability is 100%.

So a properly maintained flashlight joint is sealed with an o-ring that's coated in water-repelling oil/grease - you'll need a lot more than a swimming pool to challenge this design.

 

[burntoshine]

Any and all of our modern flashaholic lights are completely waterproof and shouldn't be challenged at all by a swimming pool. It's up to the user to keep proper maintenance - if you don't feel your light is disposable, then it should be ready for any eventuality at any time, of which water is one of the simpler tests.



Grease, like oil, is hydrophobic - it repels water. If you get grease on your fingers and then wash your hands, you'll note that the water simply slides off your skin; any surface with a good coat of grease/oil essentially becomes waterproof.

An o-ring in theory seals a joint soundly, but there could be small crevices or cracks way down at the microscopic level that allow water to pass. By using grease/oil, you ensure the o-ring's contact area and sealing ability is 100%.

So a properly maintained flashlight joint is sealed with an o-ring that's coated in water-repelling oil/grease - you'll need a lot more than a swimming pool to challenge this design.

yes indeed; well put. o-rings and silicone grease make a great team.

proper maintenance is always a good idea.

...i don't want to make a habit of challenging designs. i'll leave well enough alone.

 

[gsxrac]

Ive taken my 6PL swimming in a few rivers and pools. My RA Clicky went swimming with me quite a few times on a Kayaking trip. And I went fishing with my Glo-Toob lithium. No I didnt use it to light up the tackle box, we tied it to some 40 pound test and started chucking it into the bay. lol It was awesome and kind of erie when you start pulling it in and you see a faint glow comming at you from the water. And that was all with the non-scuba cap in case your wondering. All my lights are shower and sink tested as soon as I get them. And ive dropped numerous Dorcy, M@g, and Coast lights in mudholes, rivers, and swamps. Yet to have any leak or crap out on me though :tinfoil: Knock on wood!

 

[Crenshaw]

I trust all my fenix lights under water..

Crenshaw