What flashlight do you keep in your vehicle?
- Thread starter IMA SOL MAN
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shipwreck
Enlightened
I use an EagTac T25L-R MKII in my vehicle currently.
alex_sisk
Newly Enlightened
ZebraLight SC600F Mk IV Plus on my keychain, don't specifically keep one in my car, but this little guy works wonders.
ilikeguns40
Flashlight Enthusiast
I wanna see this SC600 on your keychain
I feel bad for your ignition
I feel bad for your ignition
greenpondmike
Flashlight Enthusiast
I keep the warkus(sp?) fc11 in my truck because it has a strong magnet. It hangs from my roof. Like having a secondary dome light.
I keep three flashlights in my car:
- PNI Adventure F650 1x18650 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTXmYBZRjqA)
- Hama Ultra Pro 10W modified for both batteries and smaller rechargeable Lithium (https://ro.hama.com/00185801/hama-ultra-pro-led-torch-1000-lumen)
- OSRAM LEDguardian ROAD FLARE AAA bat. (https://www.osram.com/ecat/LEDguardian ROAD FLARE-Warning and safety lights-Automotive/com/en/GPS01_3797270/ZMP_4063275/)
F89
Flashlight Enthusiast
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I wouldn't worry too much unless you're keeping your light on the dash.
I keep a 2x18650 light in the door pocket.
It got to around 40 degrees (Celsius) outside a couple of weeks ago, who knows how hot it got in the car while it was parked?
It was so hot that while I was driving the instrument panel warned me that the vehicle front collision management camera (I think that's what it's called) went offline.
I looked it up in the manual and sure enough when it gets too hot it shuts down. Was fine next time I started the car in my garage.
The light in my door pocket was fine.
vadimax
Flashlight Enthusiast
I prefer to keep nothing in my vehicles. It becomes too hot and too cold inside to expect reliable functionality from the light. But I EDC at least 2 lights on me instead.
F89
Flashlight Enthusiast
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What's the outside temperature range?
Unless it's particularly extreme I would expect reliable performance from just about any quality level of light unless it was made of chocolate.
F89
Flashlight Enthusiast
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I was specifically questioning vadimax but interested in responses from anyone.
Are you talking Celsius?
Where I am there's no way I'll see -20 (Celsius). I'm not experiencing anything (in winter) much below 10 degrees (usually at night) unless I travel a decent distance.
I will frequently see temperatures of around 35 degrees (Celsius) over half of the year.
What temperature do you think lithium batteries stored in a light are going to catch fire (lithium primary/liion rechargeable)?
I've read on here talk of this, can't remember specifics, but from memory it took some serious heat to make them combust.
I gave an example of a recent ~40 degree day, must get to around 60 in a parked car on a guess.
Some of the electronics on the car (front collision management camera) shut down due to temperature (it's located at the top of the windscreen in a cluster of various sensors). It was a hot day for sure.
My 2x18650 light kept in the door pocket was fine.
That said I'd be concerned to leave it on the dash baking in the sun at such temps. I'm sure that would dramatically increase its temperature vs being tucked down the side of the seat in the door pocket. I would never do this for several reasons.
I really don't think there's a serious risk of my light exploding kept in its location in the car even though there's frequent high temperatures. I've been keeping this light there for four years now.
I can understand why people may not be comfortable with keeping a light under certain conditions. Discretion and common sense go a long way.
On another note, I've got a couple of lights with fairly silly power to weight ratios. I feel much more risky running them on full burst with high battery demands and high temperatures compared to keeping the light I keep in the car.
Celsius.
Then you also have the problem of self discharge, I believe this is accelerated by those extreme temperature changes. Which essentially for me means when I need to use it the most, it'll probably be dead or close to it.
Ideally I would not want to remember to charge the light either. So in this case, if not too much of the output is lost, the lithium primary is my first choice.
F89
Flashlight Enthusiast
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The batteries I'm using in the light are Keeppower that must be the best part of 10 years old now (still come off the charger at 4.19 and quickly settle to at least 4.16V). I really don't notice any more self discharge than I would if they were kept in storage in my house.
Even when not used for extended periods (kept in the light, in the car) then checked for voltage they are always in good order and warrant some use before necessitating a recharge (around 4.13 or 4.14V from memory).
I understand what you're saying, and in theory I think you're right, but in practice (and my experience) I'm really not seeing any of these issues.
sharkeeper
Enlightened
None, I'm usually EDC'ing a Olight Arkfeld or Nitecore EDC29.
Yes the light in my vehicle is the one in my pocket.
If i did put one in a vehicle it would use CR123 or AA batteries.
If i did put one in a vehicle it would use CR123 or AA batteries.
