Nitecore Tip: SEVERE Parasitic Drain in Lock-Out Mode !!

[hIKARInoob]

@d_t_a

I have the Nitecore TIP CRI 2017 edition (Nichia). It doesn’t appear to have a lockout mode.

When I arrived the package a few days ago, it was totally dead, won’t power on. I thought it was a DoA, but then I charged it and it appears to work. I notice that it seems to drain quite fast. So I did a more controlled test.

Yesterday morning, I fully charged it (took about 2 hours to full charge). Tested the battery-check mode, and it has 3 flashes. It can light up in Turbo. Didn’t use it the whole time (except did a few battery checks) About 12 hours later, in the evening, the battery check mode now comes up with 2 flashes. And another few hours later, I notice the TIP CR 2017 was flashing once by itself — doing a battery check mode indicates 1 flash. I left it at that prior to sleeping. On waking up this morning, I checked it and it’s totally dead, won’t turn on at all.

That’s some severe parasitic drain… Not sure how to go about reporting this to Gearbest. (send pictures? videos? how does one send a short meaningful video of a parasitic drain issue?)

At least report the problem ASAP to Gearbest because of DOA warranty period. I would consult with them how to show the problem.

[hank]

‘oogle “nitecore parasitic drain’ and you’ll find it much discussed, including here at BLF in the past

Interesting: NITECORE TIP Parasitic Drain Thread …
budgetlightforum.com ’ Forums ’ LED Flashlights ’ LED Flashlights – General Info

Sep 17, 2016 - 31 posts - ‎9 authors

[hIKARInoob]

@hank

‘oogle “nitecore parasitic drain’ and you’ll find it much discussed, including here at BLF in the past

Interesting: NITECORE TIP Parasitic Drain Thread …
budgetlightforum.com ’ Forums ’ LED Flashlights ’ LED Flashlights – General Info

Sep 17, 2016 - 31 posts - ‎9 authors

That was the initial batch of TIP lights that had bad parasitic drain. The problem was solved long time ago, and it’s the first time I read about parasitic drain issues with the 2017 TIP (with clip).

[teacher]

@hIKARInoob

@hank

‘oogle “nitecore parasitic drain’ and you’ll find it much discussed, including here at BLF in the past

Interesting: NITECORE TIP Parasitic Drain Thread …
budgetlightforum.com ’ Forums ’ LED Flashlights ’ LED Flashlights – General Info

Sep 17, 2016 - 31 posts - ‎9 authors

That was the initial batch of TIP lights that had bad parasitic drain. The problem was solved long time ago, and it’s the first time I read about parasitic drain issues with the 2017 TIP (with clip).

Exactly hIKARInoob…… :+1: …. The info posted above is extremely out of date. It has nothing at all to do with the latest model of ‘Clips’.

d_t_a…. I would say yours has some kind of technical problem. I have a couple of the new ones that have been sitting around at least a couple of months and they still blink 3 times when tested.

Basically no parasitic drain…… that would be of any concern whatsoever… to me anyway.

Personally… I never had any issues with the first ones either, well over a year ago.

[hank]

First they were bad, then they were good, and now … time will tell.

[jon_slider]

I agree that the first batch of Tips had a battery drain problem, only when on LOCKOUT

then they got a new batch that did not have the parasitic drain on LOCKOUT

so my question is, are the new batch with Parasitic Drain, doing it only while on LOCKOUT?

[hIKARInoob]

@jon_slider

I agree that the first batch of Tips had a battery drain problem, only when on LOCKOUT

then they got a new batch that did not have the parasitic drain on LOCKOUT

so my question is, are the new batch with Parasitic Drain, doing it only while on LOCKOUT?

If I’m not mistaken, there is no lockout on the 2017 TIP (with clip).

[jon_slider]

this may not be accurate, but, it does say there is lockout
http://flashlight.nitecore.com/ILLUMINATION/T/TIP/

otoh, the above may be for the earlier Tip
you might be right that there is no lockout in the 2017 model, I can’t find it mentioned here
http://flashlight.nitecore.com/ILLUMINATION/T/TIP2017/
they only mention “standby mode”… I don’t know what that is

[teacher]

@hank

First they were bad, then they were good, and now … time will tell.

They never were “”bad”” in the first place. That perception was just created by a few pi$$ed off people posting on the ‘interweb’…… And then others sharing it to spread the mis information.

Time has already told…. they are & have been…… “good”.
Get you some if you don’t have a couple & feel the TIP Clip Luv…….

[teacher]

@hIKARInoob

@jon_slider

I agree that the first batch of Tips had a battery drain problem, only when on LOCKOUT

then they got a new batch that did not have the parasitic drain on LOCKOUT

so my question is, are the new batch with Parasitic Drain, doing it only while on LOCKOUT?

If I’m not mistaken, there is no lockout on the 2017 TIP (with clip).

That is correct…… TIP 2017 Does not have lockout. It does have a mode that turns it off after 30 seconds…. if accidentally turned on in a pocket or such. But can be easily overridden in use.

[jon_slider]

Here is the 2017 manual
http://flashlight.nitecore.com/pdf/TIP_TIP-CRI_UM_EN.pdf

it says:
Lockout/Unlock
Hold down both switches until the main led flashes once to enter lockout mode, the product will be rendered inoperative to prevent accidental activation. To unlock, hold down both switches again. Note: The battery will last for 12 months in standby and lockout mode.

@d_t_a

I have the Nitecore TIP CRI 2017 edition (Nichia). It doesn’t appear to have a lockout mode.

hmmm… yes lockout, no lockout… I don’t know

[MascaratumB]

I have a TIP 2017 (XP-G2), and it doesn’t have lockout (only the clip, that avoids accidental turn ON).
And it doesn’t seem to have parasitic drain as well. If I leave it unused for some days, it still blinks the number of times it did when I left it!

More than that, the 2017 version, when clicking both buttons changes the settings from “Daily mode” to “Constant ON mode” (and vice versa), as teacher mentioned above.

This is the User Manual from the 2017 (sorry, can’t take better pictures) Click on them to enlarge the image!

[teacher]

@MascaratumB

I have a TIP 2017 (XP-G2), and it doesn’t have lockout (only the clip, that avoids accidental turn ON).
And it doesn’t seem to have parasitic drain as well. If I leave it unused for some days, it still blinks the number of times it did when I left it!

More than that, the 2017 version, when clicking both buttons changes the settings from “Daily mode” to “Constant ON mode” (and vice versa), as teacher mentioned above.

This is the User Manual from the 2017 (sorry, can’t take better pictures) Click on them to enlarge the image!

Totally correct……

Thank you MascaratumB for clarifying what I had tried to say… I could not remember the names of the two modes & was not close to my user manual. :person_facepalming: …

[hIKARInoob]

^ I just figured out this daily mode/constant on mode. So daily mode switches the light off after 30 seconds (in case it was an accidental activation). So basically daily mode functions sort of like a lock out mode.

[teacher]

@hIKARInoob

^ I just figured out this daily mode/constant on mode. So daily mode switches the light off after 30 seconds (in case it was an accidental activation). So basically daily mode functions sort of like a lock out mode.

hIKARInoob…. that is a good way to put it I think. :+1: .

[jon_slider]

Ok, lets assume there is no parasitic drain of the type this thread was originally about… related to lockout

but for whatever reason, d_t_a needs to replace a defective TIP, due to it not holding a charge…

@d_t_a

how does one send a short meaningful video of a parasitic drain issue?)

they request a video as part of the return authorization script that they follow

it does not have to be a scientifically verified test, you can just show a video of the unit with dead batteries, and how it won’t turn on. You can speak during the video and tell them that you charged it however many days prior, and that now the light is prematurely drained. Post it on Youtube and send them the link.

it does not matter how good the video is, customer service just has to go through a checklist before giving you a refund or replacement.

I suggest you get a refund… After that buy another one as a separate transaction… this will work faster than asking them to send you a replacement…

sorry you got a defective unit, let us know that it was an isolated incident, that you got a refund, and that your new one works fine

[hIKARInoob]

@teacher

@hIKARInoob

^ I just figured out this daily mode/constant on mode. So daily mode switches the light off after 30 seconds (in case it was an accidental activation). So basically daily mode functions sort of like a lock out mode.

hIKARInoob…. that is a good way to put it I think. :+1: .

Cheerio Mr. teacher! Nice seeing you again! :sunglasses:

[teacher]

@jon_slider

Ok, lets assume there is no parasitic drain of the type this thread was originally about… related to lockout

but for whatever reason, d_t_a needs to replace a defective TIP, due to it not holding a charge…

@d_t_a

how does one send a short meaningful video of a parasitic drain issue?)

they request a video as part of the return authorization script that they follow

it does not have to be a scientifically verified test, you can just show a video of the unit with dead batteries, and how it won’t turn on. You can speak during the video and tell them that you charged it however many days prior, and that now the light is prematurely drained. Post it on Youtube and send them the link.

it does not matter how good the video is, customer service just has to go through a checklist before giving you a refund or replacement.

I suggest you get a refund… After that buy another one as a separate transaction… this will work faster than asking them to send you a replacement…

sorry you got a defective unit, let us know that it was an isolated incident, that you got a refund, and that your new one works fine

Yep… you can do this OR… just do what I have done three times.

Take a couple of pictures, nicely tell them you have no way to take a video, tell them briefly & concisely what is wrong. Tell them your proposed solution to the problem…(make it fair… but easy on you) For instance a replacement in this case.

Be calm, clear, concise, & short in what you write. Stick to you ‘guns’ & accept nothing less.
Has worked like a charm for me…… all three times.

[teacher]

@hIKARInoob

@teacher

@hIKARInoob

^ I just figured out this daily mode/constant on mode. So daily mode switches the light off after 30 seconds (in case it was an accidental activation). So basically daily mode functions sort of like a lock out mode.

hIKARInoob…. that is a good way to put it I think. :+1: .

Cheerio Mr. teacher! Nice seeing you again! :sunglasses:

You too my friend!!! I hope you are doing well!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS or (Happy Whatever… ) …… take care. . :+1: .

[d_t_a]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will follow through them.

Have been a bit busy lately so haven’t contacted Gearbest yet. I’ll test it one more time just to triple-check. Just fully charged it again awhile ago, will see if by tomorrow morning (24 hours), it gets fully discharged again without any usage.

Clicking both switches does change from “Daily” mode to “Constant on” mode and vice versa (1 flash or 2 flash mode change indicator), that confirms I have the 2017 version.

I seem to be getting poor quality-control items the past days (defective UTorch UT01, now faulty NiteCore TIP CRI 2017, both from Gearbest). Also just received a Convoy BD04 (not from Gearbest but from Convoy official store) that product description says has ‘new’ firmware (I assume that implies Biscotti, the main reason I bought that flashlight), but in actual just has the old firmware Low-Med-High-Strobe-SoS, which I don’t like…