Zebralight SC5c MKII battery level indicator kinda all over the place. Normal?

JStraus · Dec 14, 2017

Like the title.

I have a bunch of ZL's, and I definitely get that sometimes the four click battery level check can vary based on a few factors, like voltage rebound, temp, etc. but my SC5c seems a bit more erratic. Last night after coming out of my pocket I get one flash. This morning after use last night I get two or three. I'm using the Amazon Basics Japanese 2400 mAh AA's.

It's not a big deal, but would like to know others' experience with this AA light.

ven · Dec 14, 2017

Not used the bat check that much, but when I have , I have not noticed any irregularities . Just tested now and 4 flashes, will use it a bit and test again. Maybe the contacts could do with a little clean with a Q tip and alcohol.....just a thought.

ven · Dec 14, 2017

That was with the same light as you, just tried it on an sc53w and that gave 1 blink, bat V reads 1.34. So on charge(does not seem right) will check again when full.

ven · Dec 14, 2017

Used same pro loop from sc5c mkII(got 4 blinks just now ) in the sc53w, got 3 blinks....:laughing:

markr6 · Dec 14, 2017

I think it's just the nature of NiMH vs Li-Ion. The NiMH batteries have a harder time "telling" the light what to report since it's just not as obvious as Li-Ion where you can pretty much peg the remaining capacity down accurately by looking at the voltage alone. With these NiMH you may get 4 flashes, use it on high for a minute, then get 2 flashes. Then unscrew the cap, re-tighten, back up to 4 flashes.

It's better than nothing, but not something to count on.

JStraus · Dec 14, 2017

Yeah, the consensus looks like there isn't much of one. Everything else, like the 3 minute drop, and low battery drops seems to work normally so I think I'm good...

markr6 said:
I think it's just the nature of NiMH vs Li-Ion. The NiMH batteries have a harder time "telling" the light what to report since it's just not as obvious as Li-Ion where you can pretty much peg the remaining capacity down accurately by looking at the voltage alone. With these NiMH you may get 4 flashes, use it on high for a minute, then get 2 flashes. Then unscrew the cap, re-tighten, back up to 4 flashes.

It's better than nothing, but not something to count on.

sc00ts19 · Dec 14, 2017

markr6 said:
With these NiMH you may get 4 flashes, use it on high for a minute, then get 2 flashes. Then unscrew the cap, re-tighten, back up to 4 flashes.

This has been my experience as well. H53c.

Tachead · Dec 14, 2017

markr6 said:
I think it's just the nature of NiMH vs Li-Ion. The NiMH batteries have a harder time "telling" the light what to report since it's just not as obvious as Li-Ion where you can pretty much peg the remaining capacity down accurately by looking at the voltage alone. With these NiMH you may get 4 flashes, use it on high for a minute, then get 2 flashes. Then unscrew the cap, re-tighten, back up to 4 flashes.

It's better than nothing, but not something to count on.

Yep, NiMH is just harder to predict capacity using voltage. The battery indicator is just meant as a rough guide and works much better with Lithium ion. It still is quite useful though. I find if you just use it only after the battery has rested(before you have used the light) it works best. That way voltage sag isn't effecting it.

Zebralight SC5c MKII battery level indicator kinda all over the place. Normal?

JStraus

Newly Enlightened

ven

Flashaholic

ven

Flashaholic

ven

Flashaholic

markr6

Flashaholic

JStraus

Newly Enlightened

sc00ts19

Newly Enlightened

Tachead

Flashlight Enthusiast

Similar threads

Latest posts