HDS Systems #23

[jon_slider]

maybe what your photo shows, is some smudges of dirty old lubricant

I can see something of a similar color on the threads:

maybe try a more complete removal of all old lubricant...

 

[Intothenightwego]

Here's how I carry mine, it's just a Prusik hitch knot, it's gone through 2 lots of rope and just lives on it's own in my pocket.

 

[desert.snake]

Looking inside my lens top piece are these contact points that are showing wear going to be a future problem? I use rechargeable batteries and only swap them out every couple of weeks I guess.

No problem, mine is about 8 years old, I change the batteries every few days to recharge. Same groove and works well. Looks like there is quite a thick layer there

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

Were you using new batteries each time? And what was the expiry of those cells?

It sounds like there could be a short somewhere, perhaps an errant metal shaving on the board itself. Have you ever taken the bezel and reflector out?

Tried multiple known good cells, both primary and rechargeable. I've never disassembled the light beyond removing the battery tube, so I doubt there is any contamination on the board. I suspect it's a failed component considering the problem became progressively worse over time until the light failed completely.

But it's in Henry's hands now, so he will make it right... eventually.

 

[dc38]

Tried multiple known good cells, both primary and rechargeable. I've never disassembled the light beyond removing the battery tube, so I doubt there is any contamination on the board. I suspect it's a failed component considering the problem became progressively worse over time until the light failed completely.

But it's in Henry's hands now, so he will make it right... eventually.

In my best spongebob narrator voice..."wun, eternity, layturrrr..."

 

[intake_monk]

More than likely, we will add a little girth to the light which will ease manufacturing, specifically, the signal wire. They are a PITA in the 18650 and were in the 18500 and 18350 runs. Basic "Apocalypse" model will be an 18500 base with spacers to use a single AA (which it will support) and CR123 or 18350.
Here you can see the 18500 model. We don't have it on the design board yet as we have been busy on other projects. It won't lego with previous models.

Hogo! Sorry if you've answered this already, but will the new light also push the LED harder? Are you able to share anything else about the updated light with regards to settings/performance?

 

[Hogokansatsukan]

The entire ring is a contact. Looks like solder on the surface. Nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Hogokansatsukan]

Hogo! Sorry if you've answered this already, but will the new light also push the LED harder? Are you able to share anything else about the updated light with regards to settings/performance?

Burst mode should double the max brightness you see now.

 

[tech25]

Burst mode should double the max brightness you see now.

That’s awesome!!!

 

[Intothenightwego]

I'm looking for some new rechargeable batteries, I've tried the t8 vapcell ones and they are not as good as the red rechargeables from Henry or at least not in my HDS, what are the most important things to be looking for in a rechargeable battery?

 

[jon_slider]

they are not as good

in what way?

what are the most important things

highest capacity in mAh, UnProtected, Button Top, not longer than 34mm

Vapcel T9 = 950 mAh
Vapcel T8 = 850 mAh
HDS Red = 700mAh

 

[intake_monk]

Burst mode should double the max brightness you see now.

Fantastic, thanks for the info! Sorry, last question, any chance for a paid service to retrofit the existing line of lights with that functionality?

 

[indigon]

highest capacity in mAh, UnProtected, Button Top, not longer than 34mm

Vapcel T9 = 950 mAh
Vapcel T8 = 850 mAh
HDS Red = 700mAh

 

[dc38]

View attachment 77990

But why would you stick a chinese made cell into an American light? Surely Hogo would have a heart attack...(I'm being facetious)

 

[indigon]

If these 16340 batteries keep creeping up in honest mAh, it's just a matter of time before we have a 1200 mAh 16340.. Then who needs a honking 18500 HDS in your pocket when your 123 will last 3 weeks on a charge. Hang on to those (cheap) old legacy 123 rotaries, they're going to be worth their weight in gold.

 

[Intothenightwego]

in what way?

highest capacity in mAh, UnProtected, Button Top, not longer than 34mm

Vapcel T9 = 950 mAh
Vapcel T8 = 850 mAh
HDS Red = 700mAh

They step down quicker it seems and when they do step down they go through the step down way quicker.

HDS red are from when I brought the flashlight and apart from one they out perform the t8's

 

[Intothenightwego]

View attachment 77990

I actually got sent a offer for these batteries so I'm going to give them ago.. Cheers Chap.

 

[Schokokeks]

If these 16340 batteries keep creeping up in honest mAh, it's just a matter of time before we have a 1200 mAh 16340.. Then who needs a honking 18500 HDS in your pocket when your 123 will last 3 weeks on a charge. Hang on to those (cheap) old legacy 123 rotaries, they're going to be worth their weight in gold.

I dunno. With AA support, people can just live that Eneloop life. No more measuring cells, checking tube diameters, looking for excess spring compression, worrying about "storage charge," worrying about charge dates, no more nervous time in the TSA line. The most complicated decision will be to go with the white cells or the black ones. Best of all? Just run that cell regularly for...a decade?

For me, Eneloops are just such a massive quality-of-life upgrade versus Li-ion. I'm a simple man, so I like my simple rechargeable batteries. Plus, nothing is better in the world than being able to scavenge cells from random things around, if needed. Power outage at work? Grab a spare cell out of that wireless mouse, or the remote for that projector. You'll feel like a super hero, hahaha.

And, if it's 18500/CR123A/16340 compatible, it'll also be 14500 compatible when you're feeling spicy.

I'm going to start putting money aside for a 4000K AA rotary.

Dreams do come true.

 

[ilikeguns40]

Also, it’s been done to get 210 lumens out of an Eneloop per the Zebralight SC54 specs for a good bit of runtime. I’m all for AA lights, they are found everywhere. The standard 16340 HDS is bit much weight to carry in pocket but it’s doable, I can only imagine lugging around a 18500 model with added length and diameter

 

[Schokokeks]

Also, it’s been done to get 210 lumens out of an Eneloop per the Zebralight SC54 specs for a good bit of runtime. I’m all for AA lights, they are found everywhere. The standard 16340 HDS is bit much weight to carry in pocket but it’s doable, I can only imagine lugging around a 18500 model with added length and diameter

Yeah, it'll be a bit of a chunky monkey, as opposed to if it was purpose built for AA, but I bet the stainless bezel is much more of that issue than the body. I wonder if they'd ever consider making a lightweight aluminum bezel. I still use the anodized aluminum Malkoff bezels, and have never felt the need to "upgrade" those to stainless.