Red LED torch light blinks and gets dim

PennWilds · 2024-02-10T14:29:09.527Z

I’m a coyote hunter. I have a red torch light for the gun. Sometimes when using it the light will blink and then get dim. If I turn it off and back on it will work again for a short time then do the same. If I don’t use it for awhile…it’ll be good for awhile. Is this a heat related issue?

Thanks for any input!

Jim

INeedMoreLumens · 2024-02-10T15:02:43.287Z

Have you tried another battery?

Lightbringer · 2024-02-10T15:13:47.970Z

Yeah, could be anything: switch, emitter, driver, battery, etc.

Just gotta play Columbo and vary one thing at a time 'til the problem goes away. Then concentrate on the Bad Thing.

Also, if you use a remote switch, those damned things use microthin telephone cable half the time.

PennWilds · 2024-02-10T15:25:06.788Z

Thanks Lightbringer. I don’t use a remote switch. So at least thats one of a half dozen out of the way!

Lightbringer · 2024-02-10T17:52:06.697Z

Tailcap switch? Remove, short (-) end of the cell to the exposed edge on the battery tube, see what happens.

PennWilds · 2024-02-10T18:26:29.573Z

Lights up no problem. Something tells me I need a heat sink of some sort. Its a T20/C8 host so its a screw in pill. So not sure how to heat sink a pill. I’m liking the brass P60 dropins out there…at least I can then put copper tape on to further heat sink.

NeutralFan · 2024-02-11T00:57:15.583Z

What driver is in the flashlight? Does it have thermal protection? Maybe it’s cutting back on the current when it gets too hot.

PennWilds · 2024-02-14T20:00:51.493Z

I believe it does have thermal protection.

Qlite @ 2.2A - 1 mode (high)
16mm Red XP-E2 on 16mm Noctigon

The light will blink a couple times and then get dimmer. Which based on what you said its likely cutting back on the current which is why it gets dimmer.