Noob Flashlight Question

Joined
Apr 1, 2012
Messages
340
Hi all.

I've been edc'ing a Mini X 123 by 4Sevens for over a year now. Love this light. Having access to up to 200+ lumens in such a small package is great. It comes in handy when I'm out walking at night etc.

Problem is, this thing gets HOT!!!! I was using it on the high setting the other night to work on some wiring in the corner of my living room. I was holding the light in my mouth and after about a minute or it started getting pretty warm.

One time, my niece was playing with it and must've put it in my jacket pocket without turning it off(was on the high setting). When I found it and grabbed it to turn it off, it was piping hot. LOL! Kids.

So my dumb question is this. Is this 'problem' specific to this light only? Does it have to do with the high lumen output? Or is this a problem with CR123 batteries?
 
It's drawing a huge amount of power. The aluminum housing should act as a heat sink, some flashlights are thicker than others. I have two new Surefires, E1L Outdoorsman and the Fury. The Fury uses two CR123's and is rated at 500 Lumens on high, yet I've never had it get hot on me. My older flashlights would get hot pretty quick, they are both aluminum as well.
Don't set that light upright on a table, lens down, while on. You can "cook" an LED, from what I understand. I did that to one of my older lights, it's never been as bright as it should since.
 
Yea, not really a problem, just physics. The higher the output the more head generated. While using the light your hands act as a heat sink and draw the heat away. When it is left alone or placed in a pocket the light cannot shed the heat, and like foxx says, you can destroy the light.
 
If all you need as ambient light and not a beam shining directly on something, you can drop the light into a glass of water. The water and glass create a lantern-like effect, and the water keeps the light cool.
 
It come with the territory, bright lights make heat. if you dont want it to get hot then I reccommend you use low or medium mode. Do you use rechargeable batteries?
 
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