I started truly “EDCing” just a couple of years ago and I started with the Zebralight SC64c LE. It sips energy and I don’t need my light every day. Consequently, I have never actually had that one get truly low before I decided to top it off.
On the other hand, I bought some D4V2s lately and they are so inefficient I’m left amazed that some people apparently EDC only D4V2s. I’ve essentially just been playing with them off and on and the hotrod one (XPL-HI 5000k) is almost down to 3 volts already. How often do you guys charge those EDCs of yours?!
(I do acknowledge that the hi-mode aux lights aren’t helping me here)
I follow that philosophy for my phone because the battery is harder to replace. For flashlights I tend to use the full capacity. How often do you charge though? Do you do it on a schedule to make sure you don’t run out?
I charge till the battery is full. Schedule wise, I just chk every few days or after heavy use using the flashlight battery checker and go from there or I’ll use a meter if the flashlight batt checker isn’t built in.
I have one rechargeable light which is a Fenix BC21 (1x18650 bike light that is also nice as a handheld light). Not EDC but I use it around the house. When the battery voltage reaches some level (I haven’t measured it), a red indicator led starts blinking when I turn it on. Sometime after that I get around to charging it.
My main EDC is usually a 1aaa light which has either an eneloop or a disposable cell in it, depending. Either way, I just use it til it noticeably dims, the high modes stop working, or whatever, then recharge or replace the cell. If it craps out completely I’m not caught in the dark. I still have my phone with its built-in light, and a tiny 1xLR44 light on my keys.
I carry several lights on a daily basis, and for all of them the procedure is almost the same: when I that the light on max is dimmer than it should be, I check it (in case the battery is removable) or I run it until is weaker (in case the battery is not removable).
Examples
Removable battery:
- Olight i3T EOS: runs on AAA (Ni-MH), I check the battery when High is dimmer than normal
- OTR 311: runs on 16340, the driver is from led4power, so it steps down when the battery voltage is around 3.5V, so I take it out, check it and charge it normally in the flashlight (USB-C)
- Olight Warrior Mini: when Turbo and High are dimmer than usual, I check the battery it and charge it if needed
Olight S1R Baton II: same as above
Non-removable battery:
- RovyVon Aurora A8U and A5R: when High is dimmer, I turn the light ON till it goes to a dimmer level and almost shuts off, and charge it then
I’ve got a couple different EDC lights, most are 18350s. I use my light the majority of the day(service manager at an auto repair shop), usually every three days or so I have to recharge the cell.
I have too many EDCs, but I enjoy them all for their unique CCTs/tints/lumens. I will normally use 1 for a week or so then switch to another. I then top off the battery and put it back into the collection. Or if I use it a lot for whatever reason, I will just charge the battery up and then switch to another.
My wife’s EDC (my old Zebralight SC62w) get’s charged up when it no longer stays on high for more than a second or so. I then get to see how the battery is holding up to its rated capacity. For some older Panasonic NCR18650B, they are doing remarkably well.
Not sure how to define EDC anymore;-) Always have a Ti3 AAA in my pocket so I guess that is definitely EDC. At the moment it is basically a spare battery for my other current EDC — the light I currently use more than any other — an E02II. Basically just a habit to swap the battery daily. Sometimes I forget. Usually will make a couple of days. Long walk with the dogs every night so it always gets used and if too much the Ti3 is always available. When jacket / coat weather, and clipped to the poop bag pack at the moment is a SC31 Pro. Don’t remember the last time I swapped batteries on that. A few days ago it flashed out 4 V and usually won’t swap until it gets down to 3.6 or thereabouts. Guess the SC31 Pro is an EDC but doesn’t get used a whole bunch. Maybe once a month or so will swap a battery. Love Andruil and the fact that I can easily see where it is at.
Since I want my Lithium batteries to last, I charge when they are around 3.5, and I charge up to 3.9 or 4.0. Unless I am out overnight, then I run them lower if needed.