The Official Zebralight Thread

[indigon]

As far as I'm aware, there is NO standard class (ABC) of fire extinguisher that will put out lithium fires...need sand for that.

I don't think Lithium batteries are a problem when used properly but I can see why airlines are concerned. Definitely an eye opener. Ironically they are an industry standard in lifesaving equipment such as life jacket and life raft strobe lights because of their long shelf life.

 

[dc38]

I don't think Lithium batteries are a problem when used properly but I can see why airlines are concerned. Definitely an eye opener. Ironically they are an industry standard in lifesaving equipment such as life jacket and life raft strobe lights because of their long shelf life.

Most lithium cells are pretty safe unless ruptured or shorted...hence why i typically like my rechargeables with some kind of protection circuit. It won't stop the dumbs, but it will stop the overdischarge, USUALLY.

 

[F89]

Anyone remember how tiny the AA lights were?
Here’s an H502d (from memory) that I dug out.
Makes the current AA lights look big by comparison.

Beautiful beam and tint and so tiny.

 

[F89]

Here's some more emphasis on just how tiny this light is.

Next to McGizmo Sapphire

ZL H52w L2

ZL SC52w L2

 

[Random Dan]

Anyone remember how tiny the AA lights were?
Here's an H502d (from memory) that I dug out.
Makes the current AA lights look big by comparison.

View attachment 79338View attachment 79339View attachment 79340View attachment 79341View attachment 79342View attachment 79343
Beautiful beam and tint and so tiny.

They haven't gotten bigger; you're just comparing different models. The mules have always been smaller because they don't need to fit a reflector. Compare yours against the current AA mule and the new one is either the same size or smaller.

 

[F89]

Makes sense. This one even fits loosely in the head band holder as the tube is so thin with no ribbing or moulding.
If the new ones are actually smaller then they're extra tiny.
Haven't bought a ZL since the H52w L2. The beam shots of the new 519a models (with reflector) look disappointing. The XML2 in the SC52w and H are actually really nice. I hadn't taken the 502d out in ages and was reminded how nice it is, and tiny of course.

Just looked up the same specs. They’re the same length as the new one but have a skinnier body.

 

[jon_slider]

The H53Fc N weights 9 grams less than the SC53c N:
the head, body and tailcap are all smaller diameter on the Headlamp than on the Straight light.

 

[sbslider]

The H53Fc N weights 9 grams less than the SC53c N:

How much does the H53Fc N weigh? My H53c N weighs 32g with no cell installed or clip on my scale.

 

[jon_slider]

My H53c N weighs 32g with no battery on my scale.

H53Fc N is 31.2g empty w no clip, on my scale.. official weight is 31g
official empty weight for the SC53c N is 40g

 

[sbslider]

My clip weighs 3g. The tailcap looks to be from another model, so but that's not likely a 5g difference. Of course my scale isn't calibrated either. Pretty light flashlight for a AA model.

 

[dc38]

My clip weighs 3g. The tailcap looks to be from another model, so but that's not likely a 5g difference. Of course my scale isn't calibrated either. Pretty light flashlight for a AA model.

It totally is! With a lithium primary, I'm scared to pocket carry it because the slightest bump might cause it to float away

 

[jon_slider]

my scale isn't calibrated

you can check by using a known weight, such as a US Nickel coin, which is 5 grams..

 

[sbslider]

you can check by using a known weight, such as a US Nickel coin, which is 5 grams..

My H53c N weighs 6 nickels and 2g with no cell installed or clip on my scale. My scale doesn't have tenths of a gram. I did see that 10 nickels weigh 50g, but 11 nickels weigh 54g . . .

 

[indigon]

I weighed some batteries, 14500 w USB, AA Eneloop, AA Ultimate Lithium: to

my G6 outputs levels
1C: 3, 5,
Hold: 7, 9,
2C: 10, 12

Eneloop vs LiIon:

Was surprised, that's quite a difference in weight.
AA alkalines, probably the most common of disposable batteries avg. 23 gm.

Would like to see the avg runtime of the four AA types in Zebras. No doubt Lithium last the longest but are also probably the most expensive.

 

[jon_slider]

Would like to see the avg runtime of the four AA types in Zebras.

Maybe you could do some tests?;-)

some Eneloop vs LiIon data summarized in this post

 

[indigon]

My only AA ZL is a SC53c N post 9/23 so no Li-Ion capability.. I suppose one could go by mAh.

 

[jon_slider]

no Li-Ion capability

you could test AA Ultimate Lithium until it drops out of regulation on default M1 (level 8)

If you have the ability to observe the M1 output, so you know when the light drops out of regulation,

suggest you use M1, since we have data for that thanks to Tim McMahon:
2450mAh Eneloop: 6.25 hours
920mAh LiIon: 4.5. hours

 

[dc38]

you could test AA Ultimate Lithium until it drops out of regulation on default M1 (level 8)

If you have the ability to observe the M1 output, so you know when the light drops out of regulation,

suggest you use M1, since we have data for that thanks to Tim McMahon:
2450mAh Eneloop: 6.25 hours
920mAh LiIon: 4.5. hours and
View attachment 79466

Similar power densities but disproportionate runtimes...2450mAh @1.2V vs 920mAh @3.7V...must be some inefficiency with the driver at certain modes, or the 14500 is not utilizing ALL its power...

 

[jon_slider]

must be some inefficiency

yes, heat from the LiIon voltage being stepped down by a linear resistor:

On the SC53 models it's a boost converter for the Alkaline and Eneloop batteries. Your gonna loose some efficiency getting the 1.2 to around 3v.

Using the Lith-Ion the SC53 light has no Buck Convertor but uses a linear regulator-resistor design to lower 4v down which your going to loose some efficiency on too

Even though LiIon is less efficient.. it is guilt free fun, because the batteries are rechargeable ;-)

It is very impressive to see almost 400 lumens coming out of my tiny H53Fc N

LiIon runtime surpasses Eneloop, when using 1250mAh instead of 920mAh:

I ran a bunch of test at 198 lumens using Sc53 and the Vapcell F12 1250 mah beat the Eneloop Pro by a substantial margin at that level.

 

[F89]

After rediscovering my zebras I've gone back and had a look through a bit before my recent post. It's been interesting to see what's been about since I've last looked at ZL although not much seems to have changed for my tastes.
I did a quick measurement of the old H502d against the online specs of the modern counterpart. The old light is a touch over 1mm shorter and a fraction narrower at the head (measure lens to rear) and a bit over 1mm narrower if their measurement is side to side. They don't give a measurement for the body but considering the old light fits loosely in the headband holder I'd say it's definitely narrower.

I've been considering getting a recent AA SC model but as much as I might, I couldn't talk myself into getting an SC54c n.
I like the output spacing on my older lights and my estimation is that they messed it up on the new lights (G5). This isn't a big deal as they have the G6/7 program slots.
I can see how the new programs give more versatility but I'd ultimately end up programming G6 just so I could get the output spacing like my older lights and the same old 1 click high, 2 click medium, hold low programming. Boring, I know.

The lack of li ion support compared to my SC52w L2 is a non issue for me. I tried it once to see the 500L emanate from the front of it and never put one in again. I prefer NiMH with an L91 as back up.

A big draw back for me is the beam and tint I'm seeing reported. I know it sounds crazy that a crusty old XML2 can be nicer than a 519a but that's my assessment.
The XML2 in my SC52 is nice and smooth with quite a bit of pink in the silky, just south of 4500K CCT.
Overall it's a very nice colour temp and tint and while it may technically lack the CRI specs it doesn't leave this self confessed CRI and tint snob wanting.
By comparison the two samples of H52w (XML2) I have are peachy rather than pinky. I have a slight preference for the XML2 in the SC52w. I'm prone to a bit of strawberry or peach in my tints.

The 519a in the SC54c n looks very yellow and off which is a bit like what I've seen in the 3000K 519a. Not nice on the wall but perfectly fine outside for the warmth factor.
Most of my 519a experience is modding lights with 4500 and 5700K variants both stock and DD with a preference for the 4500 in DD, not so much in stock and the 5700 both stock and DD.

I'm trying to talk myself into (usually easily done) getting a new zebra but try as I may I'm not there.