The Official Zebralight Thread

[russprechtl]

I hope so too. I feel terrible for him and the other folks having trouble recently. I have half a dozen of their lights and haven't ever had a second of trouble with them. My 54 is one of my favorites.

 

[DE73]

I hope so too. I feel terrible for him and the other folks having trouble recently. I have half a dozen of their lights and haven't ever had a second of trouble with them. My 54 is one of my favorites.

I have many other lights to use so not a big problem for me. I’m mostly surprised with the quality problems. My H51 from 2011 is very reliable and still work perfectly. I really like the Zebralight so hopefully I will soon receive one without defects. Im really curious about what the problem is? Have they messed up the software or is it problem with some electrical component? However Zebralight have good customer support, they answer quick and try to solve the problem.

 

[jon_slider]

Compare and Contrast SC64 and SC53

SC64 less than 1/2 heavier
SC64 almost 4x runtime
SC53 can use USB-C 14500
G6 Outputs very similar
Both lights use the same lens, reflector, and switch
SC53 head is 0.2mm thinner

 

[DE73]

Compare and Contrast SC64 and SC53

SC64 less than 1/2 heavier
SC64 almost 4x runtime
SC53 can use USB-C 14500
G6 Outputs very similar

View attachment 83180

Do we know that for example H54c/SC54c can’t handle 14500 batteries? Has anyone tried it?

 

[jon_slider]

Do we know that for example H54c/SC54c can't handle 14500 batteries? Has anyone tried it?

yes I have tried 14500 LiIon on both 2024 H53Fc N, and 2025 SC54c N
(these are both AA only models)

on LiIon the 54 only has 2 modes, 8 lumens and 20 lumens
(same for 2024 53, which is AA only)
it does not hurt to try LiIon in AA only models, but there is no benefit

note that after using 14500 LiIon in a Zebra, it is important to hold down the switch on an empty light, for a couple of seconds, before going back to AA.

Otherwise the battery meter thinks the AA is an empty LiIon and the light will be very dim and then shuts itself off. This can be verified by doing battery check, which only gives 1 blink instead of 4 blinks.

This 1 blink battery check, also happens sometimes on a fully charged 14500 when using the 2023 53 models. Holding the switch button down with the tailcap loose and then reclosing the light, will reeducate the battery meter to give 4 blinks on a full 14500.

When using LiIon in 2023 53 models, all outputs are the same as on AA, except for H1 (Level 12), which is 2x brighter on LiIon.

H models have 20% lower outputs than SC models. My 2023 H53Fc N reaches 400 lumens on LiIon, my 2023 SC53c N reaches 500 lumens.

 

[DE73]

yes I have tried 14500 LiIon on both 2024 H53Fc N, and 2025 SC54c N
(these are both AA only models)

on LiIon the 54 only has 2 modes, 8 lumens and 20 lumens
(same for 2024 53, which is AA only)
it does not hurt to try LiIon in AA only models, but there is no benefit

note that after using 14500 LiIon in a Zebra, it is important to hold down the switch on an empty light, for a couple of seconds, before going back to AA.

Otherwise the battery meter thinks the AA is an empty LiIon and the light will be very dim and then shuts itself off. This can be verified by doing battery check, which only gives 1 blink instead of 4 blinks.

This 1 blink battery check, also happens sometimes on a fully charged 14500 when using the 2023 53 models. Holding the switch button down with the tailcap loose and then reclosing the light, will reeducate the battery meter to give 4 blinks on a full 14500.

When using LiIon in 2023 53 models, all outputs are the same as on AA, except for H1 (Level 12), which is 2x brighter on LiIon.

H models have 20% lower outputs than SC models. My 2023 H53Fc N reaches 400 lumens on LiIon, my 2023 SC53c N reaches 500 lumens.

I thought that the higher voltage would ruin the electronics. I have a couple of AA Zebras that don't work with AA, maybe I should try them with 14500.

 

[jon_slider]

I thought that the higher voltage would ruin the electronics.

thats a totally reasonable fear
but turns out not to be a problem,

the SC53c N has the same slightly broken unofficial 14500 support as every other variant.

this means 14500 works but going back to AA requires holding the button

Low Voltage Protection FAILED

There is no LVP on 14500, which is one reason why I like to use the protected 14500 w USB-C

 

[dc38]

this means 14500 works but going back to AA requires holding the button

Just to clarify for other readers, a button hold while the power is disconnected is essentially the same as a full purge of capacitors and short term memory, and will reset the voltage recognition to a 0 input state.

 

[DE73]

The one 14500 I have did not work at all, I think it’s to long.

 

[jon_slider]

too long

if it is a flat top, it wont work in a Zebra
The Vapcel F12 flat top on left does not work in a Zebra (even though it is shorter than an Eneloop):

Zebras are also picky about the shape of a button

the Lumintop 14500 button top I use in my 2023 SC53 and H53 are 50.2mm long (same length as an AA Eneloop)

I also have a Skilhunt 14500 button top battery, and though it is the same length, it does not work in a Zebra. The Skilhunt 14500 button is too wide and too flat to get into the positive socket inside the Zebra head:

The Lumintop button is also different than the Eneloop button. The Eneloop fits more reliably. After installing the Lumintop, I sometimes have to reopen the tailcap, jiggle the battery, and reclose, so that the Lumintop button will seat into the Zebra positive socket.

 

[DE73]

Probably because of the flat top it's not working. It's also some millimeters longer.

 

[R.VanWinkle]

I’ve been perusing the thread here, and wanted to confirm that the current consensus is that the Vapcell F12 Button Top should work in a (2020) H53Fc N? And how about the F15, I’ve seen it discussed here but not confirmed?

jon-slider, I like your recommendation of the Lumintop rechargeable, but I haven’t found a vendor in the US that has them in stock. I’m leery about ordering anything from China what with unknowns about the whole De Minimus / tariff business, and lithium shipping regs.

BTW confirmed functioning of 14500 in my light using an old AW 750 mAh cell with a magnet and a jumper.

 

[jon_slider]

I've been perusing the thread here, and wanted to confirm that the current consensus is that the Vapcell F12 Button Top should work in a (2020) H53Fc N? And how about the F15, I've seen it discussed here but not confirmed?

jon-slider, I like your recommendation of the Lumintop rechargeable, but I haven't found a vendor in the US that has them in stock. I'm leery about ordering anything from China what with unknowns about the whole De Minimus / tariff business, and lithium shipping regs.

BTW confirmed functioning of 14500 in my light using an old AW 750 mAh cell with a magnet and a jumper.

Not a fan of Vapcel button tops, they are longer than an Eneloop.

I think Lips uses button top F12, I have not tried them. I do have F15 button tops, they are a bit long, its a tight fit in my SC53. They can work, but I dont like to use them.

I prefer the standard length of the Lumintop USB 14500 and the convenience of not needing a charger. Ive ordered from lumintoplighting in China.

The USB batteries came inside (free) flashlights, which is legal for mailing. Tariff is paid by buyer at time of purchase, just like a shipping fee.

 

[id30209]

First Sofirn 3A 1000mah button top batteries are almost identical to Eneloops. If you can still find them…

 

[this_is_nascar]

It's the one thing I really despise about the ZL line-up. They are basically one step away from being like oLight, whereas you're extremely limited as to what batteries you can use in the product(s).

 

[jon_slider]

First Sofirn 3A 1000mah button top batteries are almost identical to Eneloops. If you can still find them…

I did not see them online:

but the Wurkkos version is available, same size as Eneloop, they are a perfect fit in my 2023 SC53 and 2023 H53:

But 2025 AA Zebras only work with AA... and Eneloops fit perfectly.

 

[dc38]

I did not see them online:

View attachment 83329

but the Wurkkos version is available, same size as Eneloop, they are a perfect fit in my 2023 SC53 and 2023 H53:

View attachment 83330

But 2025 AA Zebras only work with AA... and Eneloops fit perfectly.
View attachment 83333

Considering the 2 of the 4 × 18650 cells from my blf lt1 failed and read super low voltage despite being in parallel, I personally could not recommend sofirn cells. No, I did not overdischarge them, but they were not allowing the light to usb charge. The other two cells work fine.

 

[DE73]

But 2025 AA Zebras only work with AA... and Eneloops fit perfectly.
View attachment 83333

Quite a few don’t even work with AA ;-)

 

[jon_slider]

Quite a few don't even work with AA ;-)

I hope your bad luck changes soon

this person has not reported any issues (dont know what kind of batteries they have tried):

Zebralight SC54

 

[russprechtl]

this person has not reported any issues (dont know what kind of batteries they have tried):

98% of the time Eneloops, 1.9% Ultimate Lithiums, and alkaleaks in an extreme pinch. I've only experienced the AA models (50 series), however. I've never tried any of the 18650 models.