Check Your Gear

[Kanewpadle]

Just a friendly reminder, check your gear. If you rely on it to defend yourself and or loved ones, check it frequently.

Had a power outage the other night. Reached for my supposedly best flashlight, it was dead. No light. Got my back up out of a sock drawer. Worked just fine.

I won't name the brand but it is one of the more popular out there. A compact LED that uses two 123 batteries. Changed batteries. Nothing. Tapped it on the counter and it flickered but would not stay on. Won't be buying that brand anymore. It's only two years old if that.

 

[Class III]

Thanks for the reminder. My lovely mentioned that her StreamLight PROTAC 1L I bought her a few years ago was "Kind of dimming out" after only being on for a few seconds. Yep, it runs on ONE CR123 and the battery needed to be replaced.

Being that she can't carry a firearm at work (Psychologists working for The State of Tennessee) and that the only gun she had fired before meeting me was a single shot 22LR rifle when she was in the Girl Scouts 32 years ago when she was 11 Y/O I outfitted her with a flashlight, a "CIA" non metallic carbon fiber neck knife, a pair of carbon fiber non-metallic "brass" knuckles and a carbon fiber razor blade. Yes, the carbon fiber razor blade will cut the hell out of you and the "CIA" neck knife will do the same. The carbon fiber knucks will "Leave A Mark" as they say.

Best thing I bought her was a gym membership where a high school buddy of mine teaches Krav Maga. She has been taking lessons now for four years. Being that she is 14 years my junior she has promised that she will whoop my *** and I won't like it. She definitely could.


Class III

 

[dr. mordo]

This is why I now buy only maglites and duracell or energizer batteries. I have had very expensive flashlights that broke in record time for no good reason, and I have had too many off-brand batteries explode on me.

That said, for better or worse my house is never dark enough to need a flashlight inside. I have nightlights throughout the house so visibility is never an issue.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have small emergency kits made from metal Band-Aid boxes they have a SAK, butane lighter, first aid stuff and a Maglite Solitaire (1 AAA) flashlight in them, I leave them at work, car glove box, and lots of other places.

5 years ago (2014) we sold the farm, and as I was cleaning tools out of the barn, I found one of the kits. I opened it up and saw it was a very old one. The Pepto-Bismol tablets had an expire date of 9/1994 on them. So it was probably 3 to 5 years older than that! The Solitaire worked! for 10 or 15 seconds, but it still worked. I put a new Energizer AAA in it, refreshed the first aid stuff, and put the kit back in service. That a battery didn't leak after 20 years basically outdoors is fantastic!!!

My newer kits use a single CR-123 light instead of AAA lights. I still put a Quarter in the kits, for a pay phone, but that has become pointless!

Ivan

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

One of the funny things I noticed about the household emergency flashlights. Once the kids grew up and moved away, The flashlights all seem to work. Before they moved out you usually found the first or second one you came to DEAD! A kitchen drawer full of new batteries and the emergency flash light was always dead! I found the guilty party, his name was "NOT ME!"

Revenged is sweet: I have 6 grandkids, 5 are old enough to talk. They all have the middle name of "Not Me!"

Ivan

 

[BAM-BAM]

I keep a AAA led light in my pocket as part of my "daily carry"...gets used most days so I know it works...... if the power goes out it gets me to......

.... several lights/lanterns are kept on a bedroom shelf with batteries held to the outside with a rubber band.

I also have several AA and AAA "Battery Caddy" in the cars and truck for "reloads" on the road

 

[Double-O-Dave]

One of the funny things I noticed about the household emergency flashlights. Once the kids grew up and moved away, The flashlights all seem to work. Before they moved out you usually found the first or second one you came to DEAD! A kitchen drawer full of new batteries and the emergency flash light was always dead! I found the guilty party, his name was "NOT ME!"

Revenged is sweet: I have 6 grandkids, 5 are old enough to talk. They all have the middle name of "Not Me!"

Ivan

Ivan: FYI - Not Me's cousin, "I don't know", lived in our home when our kids were young. Now that the kids are grown up and gone, I haven't seen or heard from "I don't know" in years. Strange coincidence - no?

Regards,

Dave

 

[BAM-BAM]

My boys went by "No" and "Stop it" ....... I was often addressed as "I don't know?"

 

[max503]

Never rely on those cheap Harbor Freight batteries. Ask me how I know.

 

[blues7]

If you use AA or AAA batteries, I strongly recommend eneloop rechargeables. They hold a charge for years if laying in a drawer, and can be recharged a few thousand times.

I also use rechargeable batteries in my non AA / AAA Malkoff lights in the 16340, 16650 and 18650 sizes...though lithium rechargeable batteries require more scrutiny and maintenance as opposed to the eneloops.

Worth the investment imho...and no leaks either.

 

[fredj338]

Just a friendly reminder, check your gear. If you rely on it to defend yourself and or loved ones, check it frequently.

Had a power outage the other night. Reached for my supposedly best flashlight, it was dead. No light. Got my back up out of a sock drawer. Worked just fine.

I won't name the brand but it is one of the more popular out there. A compact LED that uses two 123 batteries. Changed batteries. Nothing. Tapped it on the counter and it flickered but would not stay on. Won't be buying that brand anymore. It's only two years old if that.

One reason I don't like to rely on things like lasers as my sighting system. Murphy has a way with things electronic.

 

[Muss Muggins]

You can test it all you want, but that don't mean it will work the next time. I just try to do the best I can with what I have . . .

 

[Old TexMex]

Spectacles, testicles, wallet, watch, hatassangasmask....okay, good to go.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

One reason I don't like to rely on things like lasers as my sighting system. Murphy has a way with things electronic.

YA THINK??!!

And that's only one good reason.

My newer kits use a single CR-123 light instead of AAA lights. I still put a Quarter in the kits, for a pay phone, but that has become pointless!

There are still pay phones out there donchano! Not many but if you need one you will need that quarter.

As for flashlights, I keep them everywhere. Even though I have automatic night lights in a couple of places I like to keep modern flashlights around as blinding tools and because the nightlights are insufficient for anything important.................

 

[ContinentalOp]

I'm at least a little OCD, so I check my primary flashlights daily as part of my "start-the-day" routine (well, my nightstand flashlight gets checked before I go to bed). I carry two flashlights on me, a Nitecore MT1A in my pocket and a Nitecore keychain light on my keys.

There are still pay phones out there donchano!

I stopped at a highway rest area once and saw a pay phone there. I think it was the first pay phone I'd seen in years. I have to admit, I was surprised.

 

[fiasconva]

If you are using Duracells make sure you check them frequently. They have a tendency to corrode and ruin your electronics very quickly if you keep them in there too long.

 

[wetdog1911]

If you use AA or AAA batteries, I strongly recommend eneloop rechargeables. They hold a charge for years if laying in a drawer, and can be recharged a few thousand times.

I also use rechargeable batteries in my non AA / AAA Malkoff lights in the 16340, 16650 and 18650 sizes...though lithium rechargeable batteries require more scrutiny and maintenance as opposed to the eneloops.

Worth the investment imho...and no leaks either.

I'll second and third the Eneloops. Have 2 of the single AA ARC lights on my keychains and several of the AAA into a C adapter small flashlights. They are also in anything that uses AA or AAA batteries.

Been using them for 15-20 years now and they are more than worth the higher cost. Once charged, they will still retain 80% of the charge after 5 years. Eveready or Duracell rechargeables don't even begin to compare. I still have and use the very first ones I bought back in the 90's (?).

VERY good kit!

Wet

 

[flagman1776]

I just bought a new charger because the eveloop batteries require it.

 

[Road Rat]

flashlight - a container for holding dead batteries

 

[crazyphil]

I had one of those old metal flashlights that holds 3 D batteries.
Someone left it standing with the flash pointed down so did not
notice it was on. Obviously the batteries went dead.
I put three fresh batteries in and set it on my desk. After a while I
reached over to get it, and it burned my hand. Had to throw the
whole works in the garbage.
What's that all about?

 

[Road Rat]

Corrosion...........

 

[Rastoff]

Always a good reminder; thanks.

Just to add to the reasons why we should check our gear, check this thread out: Shield 9mm slide won't fully cycle

 

[wingriderz]

Check , Check, Testing, Testing. This is not a Drill

 

[bubbatime]

Im a maintenance freak when it comes to life or death home defense.

My home defense guns are well lubricated. They have good springs in them, with good magazines, also with good springs. I replace my mag springs at least every 3 years for my mainline guns.

ALL of my home defense guns have flashlights mounted to them. I change the CR123 batteries yearly, so they are never dead and always working. The batteries are still good of course, so I use them up in my numerous flashlights that take 123 batteries.

I'm so anal on battery maintenance that I made a spreadsheet and listed every battery in my house. I check them all every year to make sure none are leaking and I also check the voltage and get rid of the mostly dead batteries. I rarely if ever leave an alkaline battery in a device for 3 years, but if it gets 3 years old, I change it. And duracells are the absolute WORST battery in the business. I've had at least 6 or 7 leaks in the past several years. I now flat out refused to buy them. I've used hundreds of the Amazon store brand alkaline batteries and none of them have leaked.

 

[Old cop]

Thanks for the reminder, I'm going to check things now. As an aside I check my Ruger LCP (mag firmly seated & round chambered) every morning before I go out for the day. It's something I was taught to do w/my service revolver in '68 and a habit I don't intend to break. Any emergency coming your way will take you by complete surprise.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I walk my dog where I need to use my flashlight to pick up after him at night.

Worked yesterday...

 

[ContinentalOp]

Interesting that this thread should pop up now. I carry a Nitecore MT1A in my pocket. Every day I do a quick function check to make sure it's working properly. Well, I recently did my function check and the light was not only incredibly dim, it was shaped funny. At first I thought it might just need a new battery, but then I was worried something was wrong with the lamp. I checked the lens. A dime had gotten stuck in the rim around the lens. I popped it out and all was right again.

 

[JayFramer]

Just a friendly reminder, check your gear. If you rely on it to defend yourself and or loved ones, check it frequently.

Had a power outage the other night. Reached for my supposedly best flashlight, it was dead. No light. Got my back up out of a sock drawer. Worked just fine.

I won't name the brand but it is one of the more popular out there. A compact LED that uses two 123 batteries. Changed batteries. Nothing. Tapped it on the counter and it flickered but would not stay on. Won't be buying that brand anymore. It's only two years old if that.

Why don't you mentioned the brand so we'll at least have it as a data point?

 

[rwt1405]

Im a maintenance freak when it comes to life or death home defense.

I'm so anal on battery maintenance that I made a spreadsheet and listed every battery in my house. I check them all every year to make sure none are leaking and I also check the voltage and get rid of the mostly dead batteries. I rarely if ever leave an alkaline battery in a device for 3 years, but if it gets 3 years old, I change it. And duracells are the absolute WORST battery in the business. I've had at least 6 or 7 leaks in the past several years. I now flat out refused to buy them. I've used hundreds of the Amazon store brand alkaline batteries and none of them have leaked.

Since you state being a "maintenance freak when it comes to life or death home defense", I would suggest that you refrain from using ANY alkaline batteries in ANY flashlights that are of good quality, or possibly to be called upon in an emergency situation.

Some have mentioned Eneloops, however, for flashlights that sit unused for weeks/months, waiting for emergency use, I would very highly recommend that you use only Lithium batteries, and keep spares with the lights.

After having many friends bring me their "ruined" flashlights (yeah, I'm not just the "gun guy", I'm also the "flashlight guy", and "knife guy", etc) after alkaline batteries ruined them, and my first question always is "so how much did you save on those alkaline batteries, in that $20-$100 flashlight you just ruined?"

It usually only took one loss for them to understand the $5 or so for Lithium's was a bargain, when compared to replacing the flashlight, not even to talk about knowing that the batteries will be good for years, even if sitting unused.

 

[dirty & hairy]

Regarding flashlight batteries, I use a NiteCore R40 flashlight that has a rechargeable battery that, in a pinch, can be charged using the usb outlet in my truck. Awesome flashlight with a unique battery setup, super easy to keep charged.