ideas for a "filth light"

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Yeah, that sounds weird, but what I’m looking for is a light that would be easy to clean if dropped in literal filth. (1-mode on/off is fine if not preferable.)

Think of a plumber who carries a light and drops it down a septic tank or something. It can be washed off, but there’d for sure be too many nooks and crannies for filth to get trapped, and you don’t want residual stank or contamination from it later on, so the idea is to minimise if not eliminate anything that could trap the aforementioned filth.

Knurling would be a filth-magnet, trapping everything in it, so minimal to preferably no knurling would be ideal.

Threaded junctions between body and head or body and tail, of course, would trap some filth, and would need disassembly to properly clean out thoroughly.

Switch-boots would be another point where filth would be trapped. Even if waterproof to prevent actual ingress, trapped filth should be kept to a minimum.

Obvious answer would be a dive-light, which again prevents actual ingress, but filth can be trapped, even under a magnetic button.

So… minimum number of “pieces” would be, preferably, a light without a tailcap, sort of like an old AAA twisty, eg, a Manker Boney or Glaree E03 or any other AAA twisty, but there’s that joint that necessarily is “opened” (untwisted) when the light’s off.

Charging the cell means either a usb port (bad) or having to open it up. So contact charging would be preferable, like those magnetic stick-on chargers.

Still, the switch would be an issue. Magnetic would be good, but wondering what kind of actuator would not attract and hold filth.

Any ideas? :laughing:

2

That’s a tough one . I dropped a light in soupy mud once . Even after repeated cleaning , I’d still find places where it was hiding .

3

Take any light, insert into a condom and tie :)
Switch is still usable and lights goes out.
Replace the "wrapping" when covered with filth or need charging....

4

Exactly. All those “weak points” of seams between sections, around any buttons, any microscopic crevice, can be a magnet that just grabs the filth and hangs onto it like Grim Death.

5

Funny, but I was actually thinking about that, but wanted to preserve the beam. :laughing:

6

I was not juking. If you keep it tight using a rubber band the impact on beam will decrease.
Try different type of condoms :) ...

7

I'm thinking an unlubricated condom that is as clear as possible in color would work best.

EDIT:

Or how about a flashlight in a zip lock bag, with the bag wrapped and taped around the flashlight.

I think generic zip lock bags are probably cheaper than even the cheapest condoms.

8

A few drops of bleach and dish soap in water, a toothbrush and go to work, be sure to thoroughly rinse your roommate’s toothbrush before returning it to the holder.

9

One of them thar vibratin’ toothbrushes might work; specially if they shoot water jets.
or put it in a stoppered clear test tube. just don’t drop it while turnin’ it off and on.

10

I found that NU Finish once a year car wax work well on this kind of use. Most stuff just rinses off.

11

I know, and neither was I. :laughing:

Things like waterproof phone cases where you can still use the phone, etc., all came to mind. People jokingly call them “phone condoms.”

Might work like mild diffusion film…

12

A rose-colored one to lower the duv? :crown:

13

Won’t work. They all learned from last time I did that…

14

Naw, the game is to prevent the filth from sticking in the first place, not cleaning it out afterwards.

I’m actually amazed there was no niche need for this kind of thing, that not even in LE or mil there’d be any such need.

Then again, with an unlimited budget, you just go disposable…

15

Hmm, heard of it but never used it. Might give it a whack, at least on the car. :laughing:

16

I will tell you what I would not consider: anything with andruil, anything with USB port.

That narrows it down to a few lights, most of which are Convoys.

You just can’t beat simplicity.

17

Some of our gear got filthy some even toxic. Good finish and sealed caps, lids, etc. does the job most times. On duty gear we’d wash it with soda, Pepsi or Coke works the best if covered in blood or other fluids. Effervescent and acidic then wash the hell out of it under water. Cleaning with alcohol is tricky, it likes to get around O-rings. A few patrol man have soda and rags in the trunk. Cheap gear gets crap inside, good gear is much easier to maintain and clean. Came home a few nights and walked in the front yard for minutes before taking off the boots and coming inside. Grass cleans the sole and soul well. Also cleaners and disinfectants are on the market to spray contaminated gear with. Wearing gloves when you know it’s going to be messy.

18

Maybe instead of a flashlight, a headlamp would be a better choice. I’ve dropped many flashlights over the years, but never a headlamp.

And then you wouldn’t need to hold a filthy flashlight in your mouth to free up both hands! :confounded:

19

I’m thinking cheap plastic light that will hopefully float on top of the filth. And if it doesn’t you just throw it away because it’s cheap.

20

Exactly. On/off if all that’s required, and ports are a no-go from the start.