Zebralight H600w MK III

Umbrosoccer · Jan 3, 2017

I recieved my Zebralight H600W today along with the zl634 18650 battery. Charged it up and tried out the light. I own about 5 other zebralights and they all work great. This is my first 18650 light. I tried the H1 setting and I notice the light gets very hot to the touch.... almost burning hot. I clocked the pid step down at about 52 seconds in from turning on H1. Is this normal for the H600w or do I have a defective model? I noticed the run time should be 2.2 hours approx on h1 with pid but after about 20 minutes of use on H1 my battery went from 100% to about 36%. Average temperature is about 65 degrees F inside the house. Has anyone noticed this with their MK IIIs? Thanks!

Umbrosoccer · Jan 3, 2017

I should also add that normal never use the H1 unless its for a quick look. I normally use L1 and M2 on most of my zebralights for hiking and camping. I got the ZL 634L 18650 in the mail at around 20% charged and at 3.6v. Took about 4 hours and 15 mins to charge to 100% with a soshine S7 charger.

Kraken · Jan 3, 2017

I actually just signed on to research a similar problem with my Zebralight H600w MIII as well. I received one for Christmas. I went for a walk using it several days ago. I had it on the M1 level for about 10 min. I then decided to see how the H1 performed. I had the light on H1 for about 12 min and the thing shut off in the middle of a very dark wooded path. The light would not turn back on after several attempts. I used a back up pocket light for the remainder of my walk periodically trying to turn the Zebralight back on. It never did go back on. I got home and unscrewed the battery cap and re-screwed it. The light then went on after disengaging the cap. While in the house I put the light back on H1 for 30 min. The light never shut off. I chalked it up to a fluke. I recharged the battery again and went for another walk tonight. Same exact scenario. Light operates on H1 for ~ 15 min and shut off. It won't go back on until the battery cap is unscrewed. I'm using a Nitecore 18650 battery, 3400mAh. I use a Nitecore Intellicharger i4. Temp is ~ 30F. When trying to turn the light back on it's cold to the touch, so doesn't seem to be an overheating issue. Is this a defective light, am I using an improper battery, or is there some programming mode that causes the light to shut down after a period of time?

I should note that I've been using the same battery in a Nitecore P12 with no issues in that light...

Umbrosoccer · Jan 4, 2017

Its strange. The Pid for mine engages at 52 seconds step down in 65F dry temperature. its the middle of winter here and I've only tried it in my house. I think I will try this scenario too outside and see what happens.

MNDan · Jan 4, 2017

Damn - sounds like Zebralight has a problem. A friend is getting a mk III soon and I will compare it to my mk II and report back. I LOVE my mk II, so it would be a damn shame if they are turning out crap now. Any sign of the big green donut in the middle of the hot spot?

Umbrosoccer · Jan 4, 2017

MNDan said:
Damn - sounds like Zebralight has a problem. A friend is getting a mk III soon and I will compare it to my mk II and report back. I LOVE my mk II, so it would be a damn shame if they are turning out crap now. Any sign of the big green donut in the middle of the hot spot?

No But my model has a slightly off center LED which doesnt really affect the hotspot and the spill. The Neutral white version is very cool. Its still white but cooler than say a neutral white on my H52W. Coincendentally I have the first generation H52W with the smooth aluminum tube and a later H52W with the grippy tube. Both have different tints to their leds too.

Kraken · Jan 4, 2017

MNDan said:
Damn - sounds like Zebralight has a problem. A friend is getting a mk III soon and I will compare it to my mk II and report back. I LOVE my mk II, so it would be a damn shame if they are turning out crap now. Any sign of the big green donut in the middle of the hot spot?

I have the H600Fw MKIII neutral – no complaints about the tint or hotspots. The light just switches off and won't switch back on after ~15 minutes of H1 use. Sounds like I need to contact Zebralight for a return...Never dealt with them before. Their customer service will determine whether I give them another chance or not.

JLeephoto · Jan 4, 2017

I have a H600Fd MKIII HI I use most evenings on walks. Best beam/tint/spill I have in any light and haven't noticed any issues with battery life. However, I rarely go to H1 for more than a few minutes. Most of my time is spent in M1 or H2. Will try to do a H1 run test tonight and report back if I have probs.

recDNA · Jan 4, 2017

Unlikely to be the cause but do you have another battery to try?

Kraken · Jan 4, 2017

recDNA said:
Unlikely to be the cause but do you have another battery to try?

I do have several batteries I can try. I'm currently traveling and will have to wait until this weekend.

JanezFord · Jan 4, 2017

I have H600Fw mk2 and H600Fw mk3 and use them both on H1 regularly when mountain biking. I use my mk2 only on H1 because of issue with voltage monitor on other modes and this shut-off thing never happened to me. However, I do have to confess I always use another light on the handlebars for two reasons - throw + backup. If you suspect your light has a defect, contact zebralight for replacement/repair.

swan · Jan 4, 2017

Kraken said:
I actually just signed on to research a similar problem with my Zebralight H600w MIII as well. I received one for Christmas. I went for a walk using it several days ago. I had it on the M1 level for about 10 min. I then decided to see how the H1 performed. I had the light on H1 for about 12 min and the thing shut off in the middle of a very dark wooded path. The light would not turn back on after several attempts. I used a back up pocket light for the remainder of my walk periodically trying to turn the Zebralight back on. It never did go back on. I got home and unscrewed the battery cap and re-screwed it. The light then went on after disengaging the cap. While in the house I put the light back on H1 for 30 min. The light never shut off. I chalked it up to a fluke. I recharged the battery again and went for another walk tonight. Same exact scenario. Light operates on H1 for ~ 15 min and shut off. It won't go back on until the battery cap is unscrewed. I'm using a Nitecore 18650 battery, 3400mAh. I use a Nitecore Intellicharger i4. Temp is ~ 30F. When trying to turn the light back on it's cold to the touch, so doesn't seem to be an overheating issue. Is this a defective light, am I using an improper battery, or is there some programming mode that causes the light to shut down after a period of time?

I should note that I've been using the same battery in a Nitecore P12 with no issues in that light...

The nitecore 18650 cell is tripping its protection circuit because the light draws more current than the P12.

You will need to get a higher current cell, say one that is capable of 8 amps constant current draw - problem solved.

MNDan · Jan 4, 2017

Really? So would the NCR18650B work? Looks like the max draw is only 6.7 Amps, though that is one of the most popular 18650's around. If not, what would be the best batteries for this? I don't see any sign of battery limitations in the Zebralight documentation.

Umbrosoccer · Jan 4, 2017

I just tested out My H600W MKIII for about 25 minutes on H1 while walking outdoors in 38F weather. Everything seems to work alright. My Zl634 cell was down to 30%. I don't normally use H1 for more than 30 seconds so the time isnt much of an issue. The approximation on their site says 2.2 hours which seems far off from actual run time. I think the Zl634 has on the wrapping that its a Panasonic NCR18650B cell, so I'm guessing that will work.

scs · Jan 4, 2017

Umbrosoccer said:
I just tested out My H600W MKIII for about 25 minutes on H1 while walking outdoors in 38F weather. Everything seems to work alright. My Zl634 cell was down to 30%. I don't normally use H1 for more than 30 seconds so the time isnt much of an issue. The approximation on their site says 2.2 hours which seems far off from actual run time. I think the Zl634 has on the wrapping that its a Panasonic NCR18650B cell, so I'm guessing that will work.

The 2.2 hours is contingent upon the light getting hot and output greatly reduced, thus reducing draw on cell and extending runtime. If the ambient temperature is cold or there's exceptional heatsinking drawing heat away from the light, it maintains much of its full output, draining the cell more quickly. That might be one reason for your usage experience.

You'll likely get better performance out of the GA cell recommended and sold by ZL for the MK 3 lights.

Umbrosoccer · Jan 5, 2017

scs said:
The 2.2 hours is contingent upon the light getting hot and output greatly reduced, thus reducing draw on cell and extending runtime. If the ambient temperature is cold or there's exceptional heatsinking drawing heat away from the light, it maintains much of its full output, draining the cell more quickly. That might be one reason for your usage experience.

You'll likely get better performance out of the GA cell recommended and sold by ZL for the MK 3 lights.

Yeah its ability varies greatly. I am happy with my light for what I use it for. L1 and M2 usually. I really enjoy the AA ZL lights as im AA guy. Is that GA version protected or non?

scs · Jan 5, 2017

Umbrosoccer said:
Yeah its ability varies greatly. I am happy with my light for what I use it for. L1 and M2 usually. I really enjoy the AA ZL lights as im AA guy. Is that GA version protected or non?

unproteted as sold by ZL. The light itself provides low voltage protection

MNDan · Jan 5, 2017

scs said:
The 2.2 hours is contingent upon the light getting hot and output greatly reduced, thus reducing draw on cell and extending runtime. If the ambient temperature is cold or there's exceptional heatsinking drawing heat away from the light, it maintains much of its full output, draining the cell more quickly. That might be one reason for your usage experience.

You'll likely get better performance out of the GA cell recommended and sold by ZL for the MK 3 lights.

The specs specifically say 1126 lumens for 2.2 hours, so I sincerely doubt that somehow they are counting on the light getting hot and lumen output dropping - perhaps I am misunderstanding what you mean?

http://www.zebralight.com/H600w-Mk-III-XHP35-Neutral-White-18650-Headlamp_p_186.html

Would these be the ticket once they are back in stock?

http://www.illumn.com/batteries-cha...r18650ga-3500mah-high-discharge-flat-top.html

Trango · Jan 5, 2017

Looks like a completely normal behavior,
take a look at posts #193 & #195 http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...bralight-H600F-c-d-mk3-85cri-and-XM-L-2/page7

scs · Jan 5, 2017

MNDan said:
The specs specifically say 1126 lumens for 2.2 hours, so I sincerely doubt that somehow they are counting on the light getting hot and lumen output dropping - perhaps I am misunderstanding what you mean?

http://www.zebralight.com/H600w-Mk-III-XHP35-Neutral-White-18650-Headlamp_p_186.html

There's this fine print, enlarged here:

" Runtimes of the two PID controlled levels (1126Lm and 580Lm) vary greatly with ambient temperature and air circulation."

You bet they're using the drop in output to justify the stated extended runtime, just like everyone else. It's marketing.
There has been runtime plots done for recent models at maintained max output with sufficient heatsinking. Runtime is only around 30-45 mins.

Would these be the ticket once they are back in stock?

Yes.

http://www.illumn.com/batteries-cha...r18650ga-3500mah-high-discharge-flat-top.html

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