Unscrew flashlight head vs. removing batteries for storage?

[TK41]

Hi, are there any differences in terms of power drain, circuits, safety risks, ect... between turning a flashlight's head (so it doesn't accidentally turn on) or just completely removing the batteries for periods of non-use?

I currently just keep the batteries out, but the other day I needed to use a light I hadn't used in months...but I had to waste time unscrewing the head, finding the batteries, then putting them in. I was thinking just keeping them in the light, but turning the head, would be more convenient. My only concern is this will still have some kind of effect/risk since the batteries' terminals are still touching eachother.

 

[Slazmo]

I guess I'll suggest putting in a small disc of plastic to isolate the battery end from the contact. I have been doing this with a few of my lower end torches and have found other than the annoyance of unscrewing the tail cap the batteries are in and ready to go, just remove the plastic disc and go.

This plastic is just the clear 1/2mm thick stuff you find on most plastic packaging - I just cut it to suit. I will have to make a pretty good template for my EA4 as that looks like a nightmare to isolate.

Hops it helps.

 

[parnass]

Remove the batteries entirely to be safe. Alkaline batteries can leak and swell and there are no promises that the leakage won't migrate from the ends to the outer jacket and contaminate your flashlight.

I've seen brand new alkaline batteries leak all over the insides of their blister packaging.

 

[Stress_Test]

Remove the batteries entirely to be safe. Alkaline batteries can leak and swell and there are no promises that the leakage won't migrate from the ends to the outer jacket and contaminate your flashlight.

I've seen brand new alkaline batteries leak all over the insides of their blister packaging.

Yes to both of these. There were three, never used C cell alkalines in a pack I had that all started leaking around the base (they were still 2 years from the date on the label.


Also, I lost TWO D-cell Maglites at the same time due to the cells leaking and corroding, jamming the cells in the light with that nasty powder substance. I went to change the batteries on one and found it trashed, and thought "I'd better check the other light" and it was trashed too!! :banghead:

Now I don't leave alkalines in anything that sits on the shelf long term. The couple of lights with alkalines, I check them every few weeks, and even then that might not save them. I had just checked my Fenix E01 a few weeks ago and tonight, it was acting like the head was jammed. When I loosened the head past the o-ring, there was a sharp "phhhtt!" of escaping gas. Luckily the battery hadn't leaked gunk everywhere yet, but that was a narrow escape.

Don't leave alkalines in any light you care about. The AA and AAA lithium cells are expensive, but it's good peace of mind for an emergency light that sits on the shelf most of the time.

 

[whiteoakjoe]

Just don't ues alkaline batteries if at all possible, the Rayovac rechargables (NiMh) are getting cheep enough that you can use them, if you run out of eneloops. I have actually had pretty good luck with these batteries.

 

[TK41]

Thanks for the confirmation guys. I should have clarified: these are CR123 batteries, not alkaline AA/AAA, ect... It seems my newer Fexix manuals say just to remove the batteries. I remember some saying just to turn the head so it's in a lockout type mode. But it's so inconvenient considering sometimes I don't use a light for weeks and when I really need it ASAP it delays everything when I need to get batteries back in.

 

[HotWire]

When I store a light I take the batteries out. I have a few lights with parasitic drain....the 2 that I use frequently I use the lockout feature of the tail cap. If I were to store them, I'd remove the batteries just like any other light.

 

[ragweed]

Remove the batteries entirely to be safe. Alkaline batteries can leak and swell and there are no promises that the leakage won't migrate from the ends to the outer jacket and contaminate your flashlight.

I've seen bra
nd new alkaline batteries leak all over the insides of their blister packaging.

+ 1 on that..!

 

[gravelmonkey]

I keep 18650's in my lights with the head/tail cap locked out. Keeps them ready to use and limits the number of loose cells I have rattling around in boxes.

 

[xevious]

But if a flashlight has a dependable lock-out, wouldn't it be no different than storing the batteries in a separate container? The circuit is broken, no current being drawn. Or... is there something to consider with two batteries being connected together only on their (+)(-) ends?

 

[kj2]

When I don't use the light for the next couple of days, I lock-out. When not in use for a longer time I take the batteries out.

 

[Vortus]

For long term, ie gloveboz, I use a battery carrier to hold the batteries, and put it and the light in a ziplock. keeps them together.