Flickering Torches

[Snowgoose-1]

You are picking up a mooring in the dark , and just when you need a torch to work the damn thing flickers and goes off.

I check connections and batteries but the problem seems to persist both at home and aboard.

Is there a practical answer ?

 

[Sandy]

Sounds like a loose connection somewhere.

 

[mjcoon]

If it were an old-fashioned incandescent-bulb torch the connections would be accessible and could be fettled. But I expect it's a Lithium one with a tiny IC... Without even a photo, how can one guess?

 

[Stemar]

My solution is to buy 'em half a dozen at a time. That way, I can always find one that works. Same with reading glasses

 

[Davy_S]

Rechargeable 990000LM LED Flashlight Tactical Police Super Bright Torch Zoomable | eBay
i bought a cheapy rechargable torch from ebay, the power of this little torch is amazing, high and low brightness plus strobe.

 

[capnsensible]

You are picking up a mooring in the dark , and just when you need a torch to work the damn thing flickers and goes off.

I check connections and batteries but the problem seems to persist both at home and aboard.

Is there a practical answer ?

Two torches.

 

[Boathook]

If the light starts flickering on my torches I try and 'roll' the batteries to improve contact. Seems to work better than removing and replacing batteries.
Obviously this only works where you can get at the batteries!

 

[mjcoon]

Rechargeable 990000LM LED Flashlight Tactical Police Super Bright Torch Zoomable | eBay
i bought a cheapy rechargable torch from ebay, the power of this little torch is amazing, high and low brightness plus strobe.

Thanks for the link. Can't see the usual statistics like battery mAh or duration in each mode...

 

[Davy_S]

Thanks for the link. Can't see the usual statistics like battery mAh or duration in each mode...

All i can tell you is there was an offer on, if you bought two you got one free, i have been messing around with it for a couple of weeks and it has not needed recharging yet, will see if i can find the original link.

 

[Davy_S]

Rechargeable 990000LM LED Flashlight Tactical Police Super Bright Torch Zoomable | eBay

This was the original link that i bought, its cheaper! be aware that the usb charging lead is purely for charging, you cannot use it to connect a phone to a laptop, it does not carry data!
the buy 2 get one free is at the bottom of the page.

 

[doug748]

Those beautifully made Chinese aluminium torches are awful, must have thrown away ten of them. Mind you I have a very expensive LedLenser diving torch which is good for 3000 fathoms or summut - but regularly gives up when rooting about in the shed.

Most reliable pocket torch I have ever had is badged Draper Expert, I see Machine Mart seem to have the exact item:

Draper WPHT1 Expert 1W CREE LED Waterproof Torch - Machine Mart

Doubled in price of course.

.

 

[mjcoon]

Rechargeable 990000LM LED Flashlight Tactical Police Super Bright Torch Zoomable | eBay

This was the original link that i bought, its cheaper! be aware that the usb charging lead is purely for charging, you cannot use it to connect a phone to a laptop, it does not carry data!
the buy 2 get one free is at the bottom of the page.

I think if the cable does not carry data that means the charging current will be limited to 0.5 amp.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I have two LED torches, different makes and types, and both flicker when charge is low, then go out.

 

[Davy_S]

Cannot comment on that, its beyond my paygrade! i simply tried it because it was handy, its only a foot long, however my genuine phone lead will charge the torch as well.
reply to mjcoon, someone beat me to the post

 

[fredrussell]

I’ve bought, and thrown away loads of cheap Chinese torches over the years. The answer for me is to buy quality ones now. Fenix, Nitecore and a few other brands. The secret is to buy the branded ones on AliExpress where they work out half the price (incl postage) than getting same torch in uk. And avoid any torch that takes AA or AAA batteries, 18650 cells pack way more punch.

 

[Boathook]

I've got this on board Nightsearcher TRIO550 Rechargeable LED Searchlight - Machine Mart though purchased from toolstation.

Really nice beam; little scatter to cause reflection back when it is pointing at water.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Sounds like a loose connection somewhere.

I take that personally.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Two torches.

Don't you mean two eyes.
One open for the torch, the other shut for the night vision . Works for me.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

If it were an old-fashioned incandescent-bulb torch the connections would be accessible and could be fettled. But I expect it's a Lithium one with a tiny IC... Without even a photo, how can one guess?

It seems to happen with different torches .
On the plus sides, modern torches have fantastic range over the old 1960's army surplus shop type.

 

[Mister E]

You are picking up a mooring in the dark , and just when you need a torch to work the damn thing flickers and goes off.

I check connections and batteries but the problem seems to persist both at home and aboard.

Is there a practical answer ?

It doesn't matter how cheap or expensive, battery types, bulb type.
The stupid thing will go dark just at the right moment to get your fingers or whatever caught in something painful.
It is all the bloke Murphys fault.