Stream light problems

CAJUNLAWYER · Mar 12, 2012

I have 3 streamlights-one old style and two new a stinger and a super stinger. ANyway I can't get them to charge

I've had the points changed out on the old one but I now have the same problem with one of the newer ones. I bought these over the years so I could have anytime flashlights for the car and home and none of the %*&^$ will charge. I can't believe that I got three bad apples-am I doing something wrong here? One was left to dischage and hasn't been in the charger for about 6 months. the little one works fine and the older one that had the points replaced now won't charge again. Ive checked the power sources and the contacts on the charger and am at wits end. ANyone out there can offer some advice or advise me as to what to do

S&W ucla · Mar 12, 2012

I have to get new batteries for mine after 1-1 1/2 years because they won't take a charge anymore. I have 3 stingers, two metal and one plastic. You might check your charger with a voltmeter to make sure the transformer is still putting out 12V. Good luck.

rburg · Mar 12, 2012

Yes, its battery time. For whatever reason, they seem to have substandard batteries that go belly up sooner than you'd expect.

I had a stinger with two batteries. They both died. I was lucky and found a replacement. But I didn't trust it. So I gave it to my DIL's brother who was becoming a cop. He loves it, and thanked me for it more than once.

Before you try anything else, just buy one replacement battery. If it works, then buy the others. Don't charge them until you give up on the old one.

m1gunner · Mar 12, 2012

You have dendrites.

I have heard some folks have success burning them off, but new batteries are likely your best bet.

Gunslinger808 · Mar 12, 2012

A lot of the problems with rechargeables is the fact that they get a "memory".
If you take a new battery and let it discharge completly, it will take a better charge than one you use for 5 minutes then throw back on the charger.
I've found that I get much longer life and times between charges out of mine if they run down before putting them back to charge.

LouisianaJoe · Mar 12, 2012

I have had problems in the past with rechargeable lights. I started getting Fenix flashlights that use the CR123 batteries. I like them because they have multiple levels of light. If I use mostly the low levels the batteries last over a year. The CR123 batteries cost more but have a long shelf life.

I just ordered a Fenix Compact 140 Lumen Flashlight from Amazon for $29.95. I have a 180 Lumen model that I have carried in my pocket for years. I paid $49 for that one.

I bought 12 Surefire batteries for $20 and they claim a 10 year shelf life.

HAWKEYE10 · Mar 13, 2012

Fenix is a darn good light. It doesn't cost much and mine runs on AA batteries. I like that it runs on AA batteries because we have so many other things that use AA batteries. I have the Fenix model E21 and I am very happy with it. Don

Rule3 · Mar 13, 2012

If they are NiCad batteries, then as mentioned they can get a memory, If they do not charge at all, then they be goners.

My little Fenix LiT pocket light uses 1 AA battery either Alkaline or rechargeable. All my other flashlight all use regular batteries I hate rechargeable anything. Perfectly good Dewalt drill has two bad batteries, I can buy a whole new drill/combo for less than replacing the batteries.

(even at a battery store that rebuild them)

rcnixon · Mar 13, 2012

Gunslinger808 said:
A lot of the problems with rechargeables is the fact that they get a "memory".
If you take a new battery and let it discharge completly, it will take a better charge than one you use for 5 minutes then throw back on the charger.
I've found that I get much longer life and times between charges out of mine if they run down before putting them back to charge.

A lot depends on the battery technology in use. Indeed, nickel-cadmium (nicad) batteries would develop a "memory" if only partially discharged before recharging but this has been resolved, mostly, in nicads and by the use of other battery chemistries, most recently lithium-ion. One of the bad things to do is to leave them on charge on a "stock" charger. The cheap charger will cause the cells to heat up, thus destroying them in short order. The answer to this is to charge them up and then take them off the charger. You can also buy a better charger for the specific battery type being used.

Better chargers can be found with a little on-line research or at the local battery specialty store. They are good places to find better and higher capacity batteries too.

I just replaced the battery in both my wife's and daughter's laptops for that very reason. With a laptop, if you are going to leave it on the charger or docking station for a long time, remove the battery. Also, when new and periodically during its lifetime, run the battery down flat, recharge and repeat two or three times.

We have four laptops, three UPSs and three cars. I am a ham radio operator and a telcom/network engineer by trade; I couldn't count the rechargable batteries around here. I have recycled hundreds of batteries and correct charging with a good charger is the best answer to battery capacity and long life.

Russ

sipowicz · Mar 13, 2012

I've moved from rechargeable to 123s also....with a 10 year shelf life, I could leave one in my car for years with no worries. And I know with fresh batteries, i have an hour of high output light. With rechargeable, I never know how much I have left, especially if it's been sitting a while. 123s used to be prohibitively expensive but now I get them on line for about a buck each.

jimmyj · Mar 13, 2012

get new batteries.
Every month leave the flashlight on and fully discharge the battery.
Then fully charge the battery.
The batteries have a "Memory" and will only charge a small portion if not fully discharged each time.

BUFF · Mar 13, 2012

Stop using them to club uncooperative clients and housebreak your dogs and they will last longer.

If they stop working all at once, it may be the bulb.

TxShooter · Mar 13, 2012

Try the light gray fast charger if you want to keep them on a charger. It reverts to a trickle charge so the batteries don't get fried.

A10 · Mar 13, 2012

Fenix is probably the best made Chinese light you can get. Rugged and inexpensive.

SG-688 · Mar 13, 2012

I am a big fan of the Stinger, but I've also gone through several batteries. I also have a 'grey' charger that just won't charge the light as fully as my 'black' charger.

If you get them running again, for an incandescent, I'll recommend the Terralux LED conversion. The newest, 3rd generation 300 lumen version is terrific, with a tight 'throwy' beam, for those who like that. It's a big jump in brightness over the 2nd gen 200+ lumen version.

sipowicz · Mar 14, 2012

You other problem is Streamlight is one word.

xk31 · Mar 19, 2012

As has been already suggested, start with the batteries, if they are more than a couple of years old, they probably need to be changed. If that doesn't help, you should bring it in to a authorized repair center. The good news is there is one not too far from you. The LGS that I work part time at is a repair facility and is in Carencro. I have first hand experience that Streamlight's warranty is very good.

CAJUNLAWYER · Mar 19, 2012

xk31 said:
As has been already suggested, start with the batteries, if they are more than a couple of years old, they probably need to be changed. If that doesn't help, you should bring it in to a authorized repair center. The good news is there is one not too far from you. The LGS that I work part time at is a repair facility and is in Carencro. I have first hand experience that Streamlight's warranty is very good.

Are you takling about Barney's? If so are y'all back open after the flood???
PM sent with my phone number

230grfmj · Mar 19, 2012

sipowicz said:
You other problem is Streamlight is one word.

sipowicz,

I realize there are now several manufacturers of flashlights, and I know some use rechargeable batteries and some do not not and most all of them have those nice looking aluminum housings, but looks can be deceiving.

Based on your experience and needs, what do you prefer?

CAJUNLAWYER · Mar 19, 2012

230grfmj said:
sipowicz,

I realize there are now several manufacturers of flashlights, and I know some use rechargeable batteries and some do not not and most all of them have those nice looking aluminum housings, but looks can be deceiving.

Based on your experience and needs, what do you prefer?

I think Sip likes to use the vibrating batteries for all of his flashlights

Stream light problems

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