I just got a new SX30C2 with the XHP35 LED. After playing with it for a while and probably only a few minutes run time of on and off and trying out the light, I noticed that it will turn off on its own after a short time. It’s kind of random. Sometimes it turns off on its own after 20 seconds. Some times after 5 seconds. The more I play with it the worse it seems to be getting.
When getting it, I debated over the XP-L or XHP35. The XP-L being a 3v emitter and the XHP35 almost a 12v emitter. So I was thinking that I really wanted an XHP35 since I don’t have one of those yet. And I realized that I could run this light with the extension tube and get the voltage of 2x18650 up closer to 12v…………and thought that would be less switching current on the regulator from the battery……………but evidently that didn’t matter.
I was wondering if anyone else has any experience with the SX30C2’s? This one is probably going back and was wondering if I should opt for the XP-L version since they were the same price? Or should I return it and move onto something else?
I was actually starting to really like this light. I like the diffuser option and extension tube (kit model) that came with it. But its got to be reliable or none of that matters.
The acting up was with two Samsung 30Q button top batteries. I took one out and went with just one and I couldn’t generate the problem. I put two Keeppower 3400mAh protected button tops and it acted up first time. After turning it off and then back on, it didn’t act up. Right now it seems to be an issue with two cell configuration which is making me question continuity of the whole setup…………or it could be a fluke with the higher voltage on the boost driver. Still trying to come to a definitive answer as to if I’ve got a bad light or not.
If you think it could be continuity with batteries in series, try it with two flat tops, and put solder blobs on both. That would rule out resistance of poorly installed buttons on the samsungs. Kind of sounding like a bad driver as long as you have fully charged cells.
Ya that is what it looks like except the Samsung 30Q’s are high drain and both fully charged. They are new cells and that crossed my mind that maybe I got a defective one? But I tried those 30Q cells one at a time in the one cell configuration and no problem. Single cell and higher drain is a good fit for those cells.
I tried two Keeppower 3400mAh protected cells and it had an issue but not as frequent as the two x 30Q. I tried it with two Panasonic NCR18650GA cells and could not get the problem. So two 30Q cells is a problem. And the two Keeppower configuration kind of a problem. It’s kind of looking like a continuity issue between cells.
I will say those Keeppower protected cells barely fit in there. Kind of snug. The best configuration so far is single 30Q or single GA or 2x GA. At least based on the cells that I own. Forget about using a 3500mAh GA with a protection circuit. I doubt those would fit. I mean if the 3400mAh protected were kind of snug, for sure the 3500mAh protected would be even worse. The raised top GA’s are becoming my favorite 18650 cell.
Are the two GA’s flat tops? If so, then that might your problem. Too much resistance with the button tops and protected cells. Thats why I suggested trying two samsung 30Q flat tops with solder blobs to make good contact between the cells. But heck, if the GA’s work fine, then all is good.
The GA’s have a slightly raised top and so not really button top or flat top. I really like them and I agree if they work with it………all is good. That’s kind of told me that the problem isn’t with the driver.
I might have to return mine also. It’s still acting up. It’s so random that it fools me into thinking that when I do something different and it doesn’t come back that I think that it’s good……….only to see it act up when I use it the next time. The only thing I haven’t done is run it consistently with just one battery.
You could try taking the head off and checking to see if any of the wires are being compressed which was part of my own lights intermittent problem which in the end still needed factory rma.
Thanks for that piece of info. Did you actually take the head off? On this particular light, it doesn’t feel like it unscrews like other flashlights. I see what looks like two Torx recessed screws holding the head on. I could be wrong.
So before I mess anything up which could void the warranty, I think I’m going to be returning it.
