Car Flashlight and possible problems (Heat)

[idleprocess]

@Dc38

Otherwise, I generally don’t leave any lights I care about in the car.

The car flashlight is a simple utilitarian thing that - should your car be rifled through - would not be top of mind for missing items nor interesting enough to be worth stealing of itself.

[no_motor]

I wasn’t sure if the battery pack was made up of a collection of 18650 cells like Tesla uses and I use in flashlights or not but figured whatever Li-ion battery they used would be close enough to ad something if value to the discussion. I see now that wasn’t the case and apologize for the inconvenience.

[jon_slider]

@zoulas

CR123 based lights work for the cops at all temperatures

agree
I have a Novatac loaded w CR123a in my car. Also have an AA headlamp loaded w Eneloop, plus Energizer Ultimate Lithium for backup.

Energizer Ultimate Lithium (AA and AAA) has similar temperature tolerance as CR123a. They are both non rechargeable Lithium chemistry.

to my suprise, Eneloop also seems to hold up well in the temperature extremes in my area… -10F to 110F inside my car

@no_motor

I had a Li-ion jump starter in my car fail.

I also keep a jump starter in my car. I have actually had to use the jump starter more often than the flashlight(s) I keep in the car

[smurcod]

@jon_slider

I also keep a jump starter in my car. I have actually had to use the jump starter more often than the flashlight(s) I keep in the car

I recently got two and they both have warnings not to store them in a car that’s left out in the sun. A bit of a PITA given what they’re designed to be used for.

[Oli]

I think everybody here should look up the maximum temperature for a car battery. You’re never going to want to drive your car on a hot day and then park it in the sun. Anybody want to guess how hot the battery is going to get under the hood if you were to drive your car and park it in the sun on a 100 or 110° F day? You won’t need a flashlight in the car because you’ll be afraid to drive.

[brad]

People who live in the desert live that way, 110, 120, and their cars and trucks live parked and driving in the sun.

[Oli]

Yes they do live that way. And some of them keep flashlights in their car. And tool batteries. And other items with batteries. It’s probably a good idea not to leave things in the car in the sun.

[brad]

With millions of cars and work trucks spending their lives in the sun, it is unavoidable which is why knowing the best ways and areas to store electronics and batteries in vehicles is useful, for one thing many people keep bug out bags and survival gear in their vehicles, as I do.
The car is the car and the work truck is the work truck whether you live in Maine or in Phoenix.

[brad]

Here is a 2019 thread that tells us the coolest places inside the car at 113 degrees

Guess Again? The Worst and Best spot in a car to keep a light.

The safety of keeping Lithium batteries in automobiles has been discussed in several threads here on the BLF. Safe temperatures have been quoted for various cell makers. - New Data Run at the Bottom - I thought it might be fun to see just how hot the most likely storage spots might get during a hot day in Texas. The official temperature hit 113F. My car thermometer hit 115F on the way home – with a cloud blocking the sun part of the time. I setup a data logger with 3 probes and set it to t…

[zoulas]

Dont forget EV’s are left in the heat and cold. I know they control the temp of the battery but I think that is for longevity not danger.

[smurcod]

The batteries are external to the cabin though. Underneath it shaded (usually.)

We’ve got a Tesla Powerwall 2 and they went to the trouble of fitting a cooling and heating system in it.

[gravelmonkey]

I think general consensus is that it’s unlikely to be dangerous unless you live somewhere anomalously hot, but the expected life of the cell(s) is likely to be greatly reduced.

If we are going down the insulated box/bag etc root, what are people using?

[Djiaux]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for the answera and for the links to old posts. All very helpful.

It seems like the most important thing is that the danger is low and the battery is probably going to have a shortened life, which is cool. Also, putring them in a cool part of the car is important. Also, I will put it in an insulated plastic case.

I think with this I can decide what light to have stored in the car.

I have to say that the light will bot be used by me most likely (I carry my EDC flashlight), the car will be used by other members of the familly. It is for them to have a just-in-case light.

Again, thanks a lot everyone

[brad]

Everyone should keep a version of this in their car, purchased or homemade.

Tbest Durable LED Headlamp Headband, Universal Fit for Flashlights,

https://www.amazon.com/Tbest-Universal-Flashlights-Visibility-Experience/dp/B07GD7Z68C

[Dc38 (The Glutton)]

An igloo insulated bag with cold bricks. I sometimes use water too, but anything with a decent mass and specific heat will do as a temp regulator. Also those window shade things make a HUGE difference for heat, and mylar makes a huge difference in the cold.

But as I said, if it really drops to sub freezing or goes upto oven toasty, I’ll bring any small electrnics with me.

[Hoop]

Oh right, electric cars are a thing. Chocked full of 18650s or 21700s. Parked in the sun, driving over steaming hot asphalt… Pulling mega amps, super charging and all that jazz.

[Valynor]

Many EVs have active cooling for the battery module + the batteries are under the car in the shadow and should not get much hotter than ambient air temp when parked.
The modules are also insulated (definitely necessary for cold environments).