The Official Zebralight Thread

[jon_slider]

Tailcap update, received tailcap for SC63. It indeed has a longer spring, with proper bend at the end so it wont gouge the battery the way the SC64/65 tailcap spring does.

Went back to the stock SC64 tailcap w the shorter spring.

Because one of my batteries (black wrapper), did not work with the SC63 tailcap. It would not close all the way.

 

[DE73]

Short summary:
I ordered a Zebralight H54c N that was blinking every 90 seconds when turned of.
Zebralight sent a new replacement lamp that also was blinking.
Just received the third lamp that's not blinking but have another problem. When I turn of the lamp and leave it for a few minutes it's not possible to turn it on. When you push the button nothing happens. If you unscrew the tailcap and tighten it again the light is working.
Starting to get a little bit frustrated. This problem take same time and also money because I pay for return freight to China. Zebralight always answer quick and try to solve the problem. I just want a working light. My H51 (?) from 2011 (?) is still working without problems.

Zebralight will send a fourth lamp, I really hope that it will not have any defects. Three lamps with serious quality defects can't be a coincidence, Zebralight seems to have quality problems at the moment. I think however that they have god customer support, they answer quick and try to solve the problem.

 

[JP031716]

I'm the individual who posted on reddit about the SC54c N that you linked and have performed the following workaround.

Since I’m unable to utilize the lowest output mode without encountering the issue, I’ve defaulted to the second lowest as my secondary moonlight setting and haven’t run into the issue. Still waiting to hear back from Zebralight about the having to pull the battery to turn the light back on after turning off from the lowest output setting.

Will provide an update.

 

[jon_slider]

Since I'm unable to utilize the lowest output mode without encountering the issue, I've defaulted to the second lowest as my secondary moonlight setting and haven't run into the issue.

great info, I see someone else has the same experience:

"Had the same problem on the lowest [level 1] setting in my H53c from a 2024 batch, went with the second lowest [level 2] and that works fine. That would confirm your suspicion that the extra low amperage is not acknowledged by the driver."

 

[JP031716]

I saw his reply on Reddit yesterday which gave me some peace of kind that I’m not alone. I’m interested to see if they’ve remedied the issue or if they’re just planning to send replacements and see what sticks.

 

[jon_slider]

I'm interested to see if they've remedied the issue or if they're just planning to send replacements and see what sticks.

I hope the replacement works well..

thank you for narrowing down the problem to Level 1, in your case with a 2025 SC54c N. faintmoonLXXXI also reports failure to turn after using Level 1, his light is a 2024 H53c N..
(Level 1 can only be reached by custom programming.. the default minimum is Level 2)

fwiw, sbslider has been runtime testing a 2024 H53c N on level 1 (he changed programming to reach that level), without reporting any problem turning on.

When I turn off the lamp and leave it for a few minutes it's not possible to turn it on. ... If you unscrew the tailcap and tighten it again the light is working.

is the problem with your 2025 SC54c N only if turned off from Level 1 (did you change the default), or also from other outputs?

 

[DE73]

is the problem with your 2025 SC54c N only if turned off from Level 1 (did you change the default), or also from other outputs?

The light I have is H54c N but I guess that many components are the same. I have not changed any levels and the problem is with all levels. The problem is only when I leave it off for more than 2,5 minutes, if less than 2,5 minutes it's working.

 

[JP031716]

is the problem with your 2025 SC54c N only if turned off from Level 1 (did you change the default), or also from other outputs?

That is correct. It only occurs if turned off from Level 1 (.01 lm).

 

[jon_slider]

I have not changed any levels and the problem is with all levels. The problem is only when I leave it off for more than 2,5 minutes, if less than 2,5 minutes it's working.

your 2025 H54c N problem is different than reported by the other two people.

It only occurs if turned off from Level 1 (.01 lm).

thank you for reporting the 2025 SC54c N problem, also reported by faintmoonLXXXI on a 2024 H53c N

The lights are all AA only models, iow the same newest generation driver that does not work on LiIon.

I hope you all receive a new light that works correctly..

 

[dc38]

your 2025 H54c N problem is different than reported by the other two people.

thank you for reporting the 2025 SC54c N problem, also reported by faintmoonLXXXI on a 2024 H53c N

The lights are all AA only models, iow the same newest generation driver that does not work on LiIon.

I hope you all receive a new light that works correctly..

That's unfortunate...

 

[JP031716]

Finally heard back from Zebralight and they want me to send it in for replacement/exchange. I'm not convinced this will fix this issue and since I don't want to be without a Zebralight during this process, I went ahead and ordered a SC65c N and will send in the SC54c once that gets here. In the meantime however I've come up with another workaround and disappointed I didn't think of it earlier.

I figured that since the issue only happens once I turn it off from setting it to lowest output that I just went ahead and left it on overnight on the lowest output after performing a battery pull so that it functions normally outside of the programming mode. It actually worked out really well as I didn't have to think about any clicks. This is especially convenient when the almost 9 month old wakes up at midnight, 2am, 3am as I don't have to fumble with the switch and risk burning out my retinas/strobing myself into a wall (learned this the hard way and now H outputs require double-clicks to access - thanks G6!) and I can still have just enough light to navigate the bedroom and not disturb either of our night vision.

As I mentioned earlier, I'll send in the SC54c N for replacement once the 65 gets here but I'm not convinced I won't run into the same issue but that's okay since using .01 lm is just temporary until the little one sleeps through the night. If the new one ends up fixing the issue. Cool. If not, that's fine too as the UI allows for a workaround.

As an aside on the SC65c N, I've looked up reviews and comments on the 719a and I'm interested to see how the beam profile of a stock, domeless Nichia emitter compares to the domed 519a in the 54c in the same temperature. I've had dedomed 519as in the past and I've never liked how the dedoming process can sometimes affect the LED if not done correctly. I enjoy using things in the way that they were originally engineered/designed and while mods can make things fun/better, I'm a purist at heart.

 

[jon_slider]

I'm not convinced I won't run into the same issue

hopefully not
all of the AA Zebras Ive had, including 3 AA only models, worked correctly.. none of the problems posted.

I hope you enjoy your new 65 ;-)

9 month old

Congrats on your growing Family!

 

[DE73]

Short summary:
I ordered a Zebralight H54c N that was blinking every 90 seconds when turned of.
Zebralight sent a new replacement lamp that also was blinking.
Just received the third lamp that's not blinking but have another problem. When I turn of the lamp and leave it for a few minutes it's not possible to turn it on. When you push the button nothing happens. If you unscrew the tailcap and tighten it again the light is working.
Starting to get a little bit frustrated. This problem take same time and also money because I pay for return freight to China. Zebralight always answer quick and try to solve the problem. I just want a working light. My H51 (?) from 2011 (?) is still working without problems.

It seems to be some kind of voltage problem. Just figured out that the third lamp works with old batteries but not with new ones. With new batteries it's completely dead and impossible to turn on. With different old batteries it's working. Tried with a new battery and the lamp would not turn on. Left the lamp on for approximately 20 minutes on highest level and now it's working with that battery also. It might work with 1,2V rechargeable batteries but I don’t have any to test with. Zebralight test every light with rechargeable batteries and maybe don’t notice these defects. The blinking light I have tested with both old, new and rechargeable batteries but it’s still blinking.

Also figured out a way to turn it on with new batteries, 5 fast klick and after that it's possible to turn on. Next time you have to do the 5 klick again.

 

[jon_slider]

Also figured out a way to turn it on with new batteries, 5 fast klick and after that it's possible to turn on. Next time you have to do the 5 klick again.

very strange SC54c N behaviors with AA Alkaline!

 

[DE73]

very strange SC54c N behaviors with AA Alkaline!

Yes, I agree that the three Zebralight behaves very strange. The fourth will arrive next week, I'm not convinced that it will work properly but hope so.

 

[jon_slider]

Tried with a new battery and the lamp would not turn on. Left the lamp on for approximately 20 minutes on highest level and now it's working with that battery also.

please clarify:
how could you leave it on at highest level, if it would not turn on?

 

[DE73]

please clarify:
how could you leave it on at highest level, if it would not turn on?

Take out the battery or losen and then tighten the tail cap, if you break the circuit it will work. If I leave it of for more then 2,5 minutes it's completely dead again and nothing happens when you press the button. These seams to be the case for all new batteries. Tried with old batteries (flash one or two times when checking battery) and then it works after turn of more than 2,5 minutes. New batteries (four flash) you need to break the circuit after turn of more then 2,5 minutes.
Clear?

 

[jon_slider]

The problem is only when I leave it off for more than 2,5 minutes...
Also figured out a way to turn it on with new batteries, 5 fast klick and after that it's possible to turn on...

Left the lamp on for approximately 20 minutes on highest level ... If I leave it of for more then 2,5 minutes it's completely dead again and nothing happens when you press the button...

need to break the circuit after turn of more then 2,5 minutes... It might work with 1,2V rechargeable batteries but I don't have any to test with

thank you for the information, if I understand correctly:

to use the 3rd H54c N that Zebralight sent as warranty replacement. (that 3rd light does not blink every 90 seconds when off, as the first two lights did)..

1. the light wont turn on if turned off from Level 1, and left off for longer than 2.5 minutes

2. the light stops working after being On for 2.5 minutes, the tailcap has to be opened and closed again, for the light will turn on for another 2.5 minutes, or

3. clic 5 times when light is off, then the light will turn on, for another 2.5 minutes

4. all these problems are with Alkaline batteries, you have not tried Eneloop batteries

very sorry for all the problems.. do you think they could be solved by using Eneloops?

or if you want a light that works on Alkaline, have you considered buying a different light?

I have not had any problems with approximately 10 different AA Zebralights, 3 of which were AA only models. I only use Eneloop batteries. I do not use Alkaline.

I also have an Emisar D3AA that works on Eneloop batteries. It does not like Alkaline batteries, they are too weak and most of the higher outputs do not work.

Im starting to think that a Zebralight Must Have rechargeable Eneloop batteries. It seems all the problems have been with Alkaline batteries.

 

[DE73]

thank you for the information, if I understand correctly:

to use the 3rd H54c N that Zebralight sent as warranty replacement. (that 3rd light does not blink every 90 seconds when off, as the first two lights did)..

First two blink but not the third.

1. the light wont turn on if turned off from Level 1, and left off for longer than 2.5 minutes

Correct but the problem is with all levels.

2. the light stops working after being On for 2.5 minutes, the tailcap has to be opened and closed again, for the light will turn on for another 2.5 minutes, or

Not correct. The light stops working when being OFF for more than 2,5 minutes.

3. clic 5 times when light is off, then the light will turn on, for another 2.5 minutes

5 klick will not turn on the light but it will be possible to turn it on if you press the button again.

4. all these problems are with Alkaline batteries, you have not tried Eneloop batteries

The two blinking lights I have tested with 4 different brand with high quality alkaline, Energizer Lithium and rechargeable batteries but not Eneloop. The lights blink with all batteries. Zebralight have also tested the light I returned with Eneloop and they have approved the claim. The third light I have not tested with rechargeable batteries.

very sorry for all the problems.. do you think they could be solved by using Eneloops?

Maybe the third light but not the blinking ones. The blinking ones I returned Zebralight have tested with Eneloop. But according to Zebralight they should work with all AA batteries. This is what Zebralight writes about batteries.

• Operating Voltage Range: 0.7V - 2.0V
• Battery: One AA size NiMH, lithium or alkaline battery. Panasonic Eneloop or Eneloop Pro is highly recommended.

or if you want a light that works on Alkaline, have you considered buying a different light?

For this light I want to use alkaline because it's my travel light and AA batteries you can easily find al over the world. I have other lights with rechargeable batteries for example 18650. I really like the Zebralight but if they can't send a working light I have to consider another brand (or continue using my Zebralight H51 from 2011)

I have not had any problems with approximately 10 different AA Zebralights, 3 of which were AA only models. I only use Eneloop batteries. I do not use Alkaline.

But if it's not working with other then Eneloop it's defective or Zebralight need to change the specification. It's a flashlight not rocket science, it must be possible to design so it works with different AA.

I also have an Emisar D3AA that works on Eneloop batteries. It does not like Alkaline batteries, they are too weak and most of the higher outputs do not work.

Seems like another problem then I have. Energizer ultimate lithium is not "weak" batteries, the higher levels work fine. The problem seems to be that the light can't handle the higher voltage of alkaline? If I use old batteries it's working (the third light)

Im starting to think that a Zebralight Must Have rechargeable Eneloop batteries. It seems all the problems have been with Alkaline batteries.

Zebralight agree that the lights are defective when I send explanation and video. If they did not agree they will not sending new lights that they say are controlled for the fault. They are designed to work with all AA.

 

[jon_slider]

They are designed to work with all AA

I agree!

sbslider has been using AAA Alkaline in his H53c N with no battery problems at all.

I hope the 4th Zebra you receive will be the lucky one ;-)