Why are the Inova batteries backwards?

[Curious_character]

Why are Inova LED flashlight batteries backward from nearly every other light? Even their little consumer-grade Radiant series require the batteries to go in negative-end first. Why?

c_c

 

[aml]

pentagonlight takes batteries backwards.

 

[r0b0r]

It's quirky

I do like the piston system they use, Nicer than a spring.

 

[LA OZ]

The nipple (+) side of the battery act as a pin point of contact to the base. There is less resistance for twisting motion when turning it on and off. Less friction means less wear.

 

[Curious_character]

The nipple (+) side of the battery act as a pin point of contact to the base. There is less resistance for twisting motion when turning it on and off. Less friction means less wear.

Guess that makes sense. But the Radiant is a clickie, and its batteries go in backward, too. How about the other clickie Inova models? And if there's a big advantage to having the batteries go in that way, why isn't it adopted by any but a few other manufacturers?

I'm asking because it seems like a real user trap. It's sure caught me a couple of times.

c_c

 

[Grubbster]

Same reason the British drive on the left...........they just do.

 

[jumpstat]

Does it really matter?!?

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Same reason the British drive on the left...........they just do.

LOL!

 

[piper]

Same reason the British drive on the left...........they just do.

Apparently there is more to it than that (isn't there always).

Look here "The Straight Dope: Why do the British drive on the left"

That Cecil Adams knows almost everything.

 

[Illum]

AFAIK all inova models have batteries go in backwards...

Having the vent cap of the (+) facing out could possibly hold as a safety feature?

meh, its another one of inovas signature designs...

 

[Russell52]

It's quirky

I do like the piston system they use, Nicer than a spring.

I took my Inova Radiant apart,and there is spring in the head of the light,under the piston looking thing..

 

[chris_m]

Same reason the British drive on the left...........they just do.

I think you mean "Same reason the Americans drive on the right...........they just do." :touche:

 

[OLD_BJC]

I think this is Inova's rationale for their battery orientation, at least for the X series models I own. These are my current Inovas.

Model...............Cell............Cell Direction......Piston...........Head Terminal...................Tail Terminal
​

X1 (optic)...........AA............+ Toward LED.........Yes.........Recessed Gold Contact *..........Flat Stainless Plate
X1 (reflector)......AA............+ Toward LED.........Yes.........Recessed Gold Contact *..........Flat Stainless Plate
X0 (reflector)....CR123A........- Toward LED..........No.........Stainless Steel Spring...............Flat Stainless Plate *
X03 (TIROS).....CR123A........- Toward LED..........No..........Stainless Steel Plunger.............Flat Stainless Plate *
* This provides reverse polarity protection


I submit: (As Kirk would say)

1.Reverse polarity protection is highly desirable with LED flashlights

2.The X series momentary contact switch utilizes a flat stainless steel disk to provide a conductive path from the battery terminal to the non-anodized face at the tail end of the body.

3.Inova's switch design probably could not be easily modified due to the constraints caused by patents (ownership, licensing, and avoidance).

4.CR123A batteries have a recessed negative terminal.



Working with the above, their decision was the only option. Other than being atypical, there is no downside to "up side up" batteries quoting my son when he was three.

 

[Illum]

Same reason the British drive on the left...........they just do.

Singapore also...
wait do you mean the driver seat or road orientation?

 

[Brighteyez]

With the exception of Canada, I think that pretty much all the other countries that are/were part of the British Commonwealth drive on the left. I've always been curious, however, as to why the Japanese also drive on the left?

Singapore also...

 

[Illum]

come to think of it....this part should be moved to the "are we the only ones that drive on the right?":laughing:

 

[greenstuffs]

Is not just americans, most of the world drive on the right... i guess is a trendy thing to follow.

I think you mean "Same reason the Americans drive on the right...........they just do." :touche: