Cheapo LED Flashlights --- Battery Hogs?

Free LED lights from Harbor Freight sometimes have bad connections that mimic weak batteries.

popeyemth wrote:
Free LED lights from Harbor Freight sometimes have bad connections that mimic weak batteries.

I have had several that had the switch go bad. but you can't beat the price.
I don't think that there is any guarantee that they don't all come off the same production line in china.

bumpy

I have received as a promotion gift one device that, had I put it in service, would have eaten batteries like a hog... You see, it never shut off. Insted of on/off it was Bright/Dim. Since it was worth less than I paid for it and I did not pay for it (it was free) it hit the trash can and an E-mail to the folks who sent it telling them what I thought of it and suggesting they no longer offer it.

Your el-cheapos may have this problem.

I have several LED flashlights. and the one thing they seem to do is run a long long time on very little battery.

I had a HF freebie that got real dim, thinking it was the batteries I put in a new set without checking the old ones and it was not much better. Using a voltmeter I confirmed the batteries were still good so the flashlight went in the circular file. I have at least a half dozen of the freebies laying around here. :)

I use these small but powerful CREE models that uses a three AAA battery holder inside. Works great for me and batteries last a long time... I have three of these to use when camping.



Roy ken

5thwheeleroldman wrote:
I have several cheapo led flashlights I bought in a blister pak for around $6, and at least one of them seems to go through batteries pretty quick. I have another led, brand name(forgot), that I paid $26 for and it seems to last much longer. None of this is a scientific comparison, of course.

My question; do the cheapo leds leak power and waste batteries, or is this just my imagination?

Nope it's not your imagination! :B

I've got a whole drawer of those cheapies! Big ones and small ones. Use them a few times and they are dead. And always when you NEED them the most.

I finally quit buying them and invested in a nice pricey stainless steel adult size LED flash light.

YES, it makes a difference. Have had the new one for over a year now and is still shining strong on the same batteries and puts out far more light.

RoyB wrote:
I use these small but powerful CREE models that uses a three AAA battery holder inside. Works great for me and batteries last a long time... I have three of these to use when camping.



Roy ken

Yup, the lights based on the CREE LEDs are super bright and the batteries last a long time. I use rechargeable 18650 Li-ion batteries with mine. I use them at home as well as in the RV. If you look around, you can find these lights for less than $10.

Usually the cheapo LED flashlights come with really cheap batteries. Amazing how much longer they work with good batteries, well most of the time

We have HF "free" flashlights everywhere, in every cab, a couple in the RV, in every tool box, in her purse, etc

rockhillmanor wrote:
I finally quit buying them and invested in a nice pricey stainless steel adult size LED flash light.

YES, it makes a difference. Have had the new one for over a year now and is still shining strong on the same batteries and puts out far more light.

the little cheapo/freebies are likened to candles... use them a while and throw them away.

A pricier, well made model should last you a good long while...

I have those cheapy little ones all over the place. Side pockets and glove box of every vehicle, tool boxes, camera bags, night stands, etc. Cheap enough that it is nice to have them available just about anywhere I reach. The batteries that come with them are cheap, when they burn out replace the batteries and they work fine. Only thing I have ever noticed is that if left to sit for a long time they won't work. Usually not the batteries but the contacts. A quick twist of the top usually solves the problem. Cleaning the contacts will help. I also have several larger Brinkmans for when I need a real flashlight.