Safety evaluation: Olight H2R

Zak

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 12, 2016
Messages
257
I posted a full review to reddit. I would convert it for CPF, but it doesn't look like Pandoc supports the format, and I don't feel like doing it manually. Instead, this is just the safety portion. I criticized the safety of the H2R on CPF before and would like to clarify. In short, the H2R is only a fire hazard, not a pipe bomb.


The H2R uses a charging system that connects a proprietary battery directly to contacts on the tailcap, to which a magnetic charger can be attached. This connection is live whenever a proprietary Olight battery is installed, creating a potential for short circuits across the external contacts. To make matters worse, there's a magnet in the tailcap that can attract conductive objects. I made several videos demonstrating just how much power can come out of the tailcap:


* Igniting steel wool
* Electrolyzing salt water
* Powering another flashlight


My biggest concern when the H2R came out was that the battery appeared to be unprotected, creating the potential for a dead short and a battery explosion that would make the H2R into a pipe bomb. I'm happy to report that there is effective protection against this scenario. The tailcap contains a positive thermal coefficient thermistor that limits current to around 400mA after a less than a second of short circuit. The battery itself also has a PTC thermistor between the positive contact and the extra negative charging contact. Finally, Olight claims there's over-current protection at 27A. The H2R is not a pipe bomb.


The H2R, and the rest of Olight's magnetic charging line is, however a fire hazard. Contact between the tailcap and many kinds of conductive object will produce sparks with the potential to ignite flammable gasses and vapors. Very flammable conductors, such as steel wool and some kinds of metal shavings and dust will ignite on contact, and the magnet in the tailcap will attract many such objects. The only ways to mitigate the risk are to use a third-party battery, cover the contacts or modify the tailcap to permanently disable charging.


The battery itself is also very easy to short, with contacts that are exposed and close together. Olight recommends against using this battery in a third-party charger, though I have done it without any sparks. Such a short will reduce current after a moment, but the initial current is enough to weld a staple to the contacts. The magnetic charger, however supplies only about 70mA when not connected to the light and would not ignite steel wool.


Shorting the battery with a staple


Perhaps I'm growing old and conservative, but I don't think flashlights and headlamps should ignite objects on contact. Ever. Several other companies have managed to design magnetic charging systems that aren't incendiary, and most of those don't require proprietary batteries. The output and efficiency of the H2R are world-class, so it's evident that Olight has competent engineers who could come up with a charging system that's both safe and convenient, but they've chosen a lazy solution instead. It's particularly egregious in that onboard charging is a feature that's especially attractive to beginners and casual users who don't know a lot about battery safety. Flashlight geeks who are aware of the risks are usually just as happy to buy lights without it.


I don't believe anybody should buy an H2R, but for those who already have one, or who want one anyway because it's the brightest 1x18650 right-angle light on the market, here are some options for mitigating the risk:


* Use a third-party battery. Most protected batteries will trip, but an unprotected button top is safe to use. There may be a little battery rattle, as it's designed for a long battery.
* Add an insulator to the extra contact on the included battery.
* Tape over the charging contacts on the outside of the tailcap.
* Remove the internal charging contacts from the tailcap (see modifications section).


I've been informed Olight has started distributing warning labels for the H2R telling users the tailcap can be a source of ignition and recommending against use around metal dust or explosive atmospheres. This is good advice. It would be better if they redesigned the tailcap to never supply current to the outside of the light; a diode would do the trick, even if it might slightly reduce the charging termination voltage and therefore battery capacity. Even better would be for future models to use a charging system that doesn't require a proprietary battery.

nouWpEy.png


This H2R was provided by Illumn for review.
 

moshow9

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
2,222
Location
El Paso
Excellent, and in-depth, write up. Nothing more to add other than I agree and hope that Olight makes some changes. I will not purchase one of their tail-cap rechargeable lights, even the H2R as attractive as it's output in a small package might be.
 

Zak

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 12, 2016
Messages
257
I think the Wizard Pro is a better light (I've reviewed both) despite its lower max output. Max output on either is an unsustainable burst mode, but the Wizard has reasonably spaced middle modes instead of a jump from 2500lm to 750 (tested - advertised is 2150 and 550). The Wizard's max, being lower is also a little less unsustainable, giving a few minutes instead of 45 seconds, and the thermal regulation tries for the highest level that isn't overheating instead of just chopping it to 50% right away. It also has a glass lens over the TIR, unlike the Olight and a more comfortable headband.
 

scs

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 9, 2015
Messages
1,803
I think the Wizard Pro is a better light (I've reviewed both) despite its lower max output. Max output on either is an unsustainable burst mode, but the Wizard has reasonably spaced middle modes instead of a jump from 2500lm to 750 (tested - advertised is 2150 and 550). The Wizard's max, being lower is also a little less unsustainable, giving a few minutes instead of 45 seconds, and the thermal regulation tries for the highest level that isn't overheating instead of just chopping it to 50% right away. It also has a glass lens over the TIR, unlike the Olight and a more comfortable headband.
Definitely safer, but certainly an underperformer in the runtime department per your review posted on the other forum.
 

Zak

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 12, 2016
Messages
257
Better construction, better UI, better thermal regulation, better modes, better headband. A more efficient driver is the only thing the H2R has going for it.
 

scs

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 9, 2015
Messages
1,803
Better construction, better UI, better thermal regulation, better modes, better headband. A more efficient driver is the only thing the H2R has going for it.

Gotta keep track of the objective pluses and minuses:

  • Better construction: Maybe. But what are we talking about here? Better alloy used? Thicker body? Better machining? It should be tougher with the potted driver though.
  • Better UI: That's subjective
  • Better thermal regulation: Technically the AT is more advanced, but for practical usage, it gets way too hot on T2, so most user will default to T1 or even M3 if high output is wanted. At those levels, thermal regulation isn't crucial.
  • Better modes: Yes the AT has more mode options. I, too prefer that, but some prefer the Olight's simplicity. This is subjective.
  • Better headband: Again, subjective.
  • Olight's more efficient driver: That's a fact; very objective.
 

cclin

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jul 15, 2016
Messages
107
I think the Wizard Pro is a better light...
I dunno.....my Wizard Pro tir lens damage just 1M drop, the driver fails in three months & Armytech custom service sucks! This may be just my individual case, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth:green: . Personally, I like my H2r way better.
 

Zak

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 12, 2016
Messages
257
Sure, those are subjective points for the most part, but that's a big part of what reviews are for. I spent quite a bit of time using both lights and got an impression of what they're like to live with that goes beyond objective measurements. It's possible not everyone will agree, of course.

My assessment of the construction is based on the Wizard using dual o-rings, a glass lens over the plastic TIR, potting (I can't guarantee the H2R isn't, but Olight isn't known to use potting) and a long, thick spring that tends to prevent rattle with any battery. Early versions of the Wizard Pro XHP50 had some quality issues which I believe to be fixed in the version with fins and magnetic charging.
 

proceed5

Enlightened
Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Messages
227
Thank you Zak for sharing and for your precautions.

A couple of weeks ago I have complained on the other H2R thread that my unit switches off upon touching the rim of the switch And after 40+ mins of use in high mode And when it is rather hot.

I have tested with swapping out my unit's tail cap and temporarily replaced it with a Reviewer's Unit's tail cap and the problem was temporarily solved.

I think Olight will be releasing a redesigned tail cap very soon. At least I hope so because my unit isn't functioning properly and it is blardy annoying.
 
Top