Z41 inside anodizing wear?

[bstrickler]

I have a 6P with an LED dropin, but since the Z41 tailcap requires you to screw it down to light it up, and the inside of the tailcap is anodized, but the tail of the body isn't, I was wondering if anyone's ever had the anodizing on their Z41 wear out, and cause the light to become constant-on.

Just a curiosity I've had for a few days, and after noticing how many people buy Z41's & other tailcaps for their 6P's. Maybe I was getting the wrong idea.

I just want to make sure if I should worry about the Z41 wearing out over time, since I like to change out batteries every couple days (just to put in fresh cells, and recharge the ones that were in the light, so I always know I have a fair bit of time before I'm left in the dark, because the cells were almost dead).

~Brian

 

[kramer5150]

the tailcap is electrically isolated from the metal spring/plunger part inside. no chance of a constant-ON with typeII wear.

 

[bstrickler]

Thank you, Kramer. Keeps me from wondering if/when it might wear out.

~Brian

 

[Size15's]

The electrical contact is made between the switch contact assembly in the TailCap and the rear face of the flashlight body. Not by the threads. It doesn't matter whether the threads have electrical contact or not. The TailCap housing doesn't form part of the electrical circuit.

I've not noticed nor heard reported that the type II anodised finish on the inside of the TailCap wears off, certainly not in an obvious or unacceptable way.
Perhaps if it does people will post their experiences and photos?

Also FYI, the 6P comes standard with the Z41 LockOut TailCap.

 

[Mjolnir]

The aluminum oxide that forms the "anodizing" is harder than the bare aluminum of the body, so the body shouldn't wear it down unless there is some harder foreign material present in the threads. If you keep it lubricated there shouldn't be a problem with the lock out functionality.

 

[Size15's]

BTW, the body threads are ChemFilm coated not bare.

 

[bstrickler]

The electrical contact is made between the switch contact assembly in the TailCap and the rear face of the flashlight body. Not by the threads. It doesn't matter whether the threads have electrical contact or not. The TailCap housing doesn't form part of the electrical circuit.

I've not noticed nor heard reported that the type II anodised finish on the inside of the TailCap wears off, certainly not in an obvious or unacceptable way.
Perhaps if it does people will post their experiences and photos?

Also FYI, the 6P comes standard with the Z41 LockOut TailCap.

I thought maybe since the inner switch was freefloating, it'd somehow connect with the tailcap, and over time, as the tailcap is free-floating, and had to be retained somehow.

I know the 6P comes with the Z41, as that is why I was asking about it, especially since I have to swap out my batteries almost daily.

The aluminum oxide that forms the "anodizing" is harder than the bare aluminum of the body, so the body shouldn't wear it down unless there is some harder foreign material present in the threads. If you keep it lubricated there shouldn't be a problem with the lock out functionality.

I'll remember to add some lube every 6-8 months, to make sure it continues to function properly. It looks like it has some on it, already, too (makes the threads look black, when looking directly at it).

~Brian

 

[Mjolnir]

I believe that surefires are lubricated with one of the Nyogel lubricants (please correct me if I am wrong). I believe that nyogel 760G should work best. It might even be what is on the light now.