Torch Aficionados - Please Illuminate Me

LPeachout on 26/08/2022 - 09:16
Last edited 26/08/2022 - 09:17

A few months ago I purchased the Wuben H1 LED Headlamp after seeing it on special in this Ozbargain post https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/692172. I needed a headlamp for gardening after dark and the occasional camping trip.

At first I was really pleased, it was exactly what I needed. However, after using it on the 1200 lumens setting for 2 hours one time, it ran out of charge. I recharged it, making sure it was fully charged. Again, after using it only on the 1200 lumens setting, it died after 2 hours, leaving me in the dark, which was quite disappointing.

I know nothing about batteries (except that they come in little, medium and fat), and the battery in here looks to me like a AA on growth hormones. The information says it's an 18650, 3.7V 2600mAh rechargeable lithium battery, and the battery itself is unbranded. I googled it but all I found were lots of similar looking unbranded ones, and one branded 'Jugee' which I've never heard of, but no information about how long they should last or which was better.

Is 2 hours normal for one of these batteries on 1200 lumens, or is there a better battery I could buy? Am I being unreasonable to expect it to last longer? Is there another headlamp better suited to my needs? If this is normal and I need to keep multiple batteries on hand, can anyone recommend a good charger (keeping in mind I'd like to use it for camping)?

Thanks for shedding some light on this for me.

Electrical & Electronics Headlamp

Comments

  • dust on 26/08/2022 - 09:17
    +1

    Is 2 hours normal for one of these batteries on 1200 lumens,

    Yes this is normal. The run time at max brightness isn't usually super long.

    That being said, why are you using it at max for so long? You can get another 18650 if you require using it longer than that at max brightness.

    can anyone recommend a good charger

    The Littokala range is cheap and good.

    • poohduck on 26/08/2022 - 11:42
      +2

      it drops down from 1200 within a minute, then sits on 500 lumens. This is fairly standard with all high powered lights. Still, 500 is a lot of lumens for close quarters work. I'm surprised he isn't blinded.

  • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 09:20

    Thank you for your reply.

    I garden a lot and sometimes I haven't finished what I'm doing before dark. Dirt is very dark and it's easiest to see on the highest setting.

    • Transient on 26/08/2022 - 13:23

      I've been doing paving / concreting / gardening during winter and with the shorter days I've often been left in the dark with a few hours work to finish. So I've been using a 30W LED floodlight (about 2500 lumens) and a 10M extension cord. Saves from having to swap out batteries and other people can work in the same area also.

      • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 14:55
        +1

        I've just finished the paving and concreting. Wish I had that set up at the time. It's a good feeling though when it's done.

        • Transient on 26/08/2022 - 14:59

          Sure is. Had to pave near the driveway as all the rain this year made the lawn a muddy mess - now no more tracking mud into the car or house!

  • Muzeeb on 26/08/2022 - 09:26
    +1

    The information says it's an 18650

    Fun fact 37: The same batteries used by Tesla for their model S.

    • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 09:29
      +2

      Well if Elon Musk thinks it's good enough to use, who am I to naysay?

    • SF3 on 26/08/2022 - 13:21

      You'll just need 2,976 cells torches for the Standard Range version.

  • cashless on 26/08/2022 - 09:42

    The quality of the 18650 battery can also be a factor, although 2 hours use on max brightness doesn't sound too bad.
    Check one or two review sites like this.
    Might be worth getting a spare

    • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 09:43

      Thank you

  • iamherenow on 26/08/2022 - 09:45

    On the back of the box, it shows 2hr run time on high setting. So yes, normal.

    liitokala lii-500 does the job for me. Runs on 12v.

  • barge-in hunter on 26/08/2022 - 09:49
    +8

    It was the pun that drew me in…

    The rest of the post? It's just brightened my day

    • Muzeeb on 26/08/2022 - 09:53
      +7

      Your puns are a form of torture.

      It was OP's time to shine.

      • barge-in hunter on 26/08/2022 - 09:55
        +5

        That's some pretty dark humour right there

      • cashless on 26/08/2022 - 09:57
        +6

        You mean torchure?

    • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 09:55
      +7

      Tee hee, you are a bright spark

      • Muzeeb on 26/08/2022 - 10:00
        +10

        It's strange that you're sad when your batteries go flat - technically you are delighted.

        • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 10:15
          +9

          At the time I took a dim view of it.

        • eug on 26/08/2022 - 11:06
          +3

          It's strange that you're sad when your batteries go flat - technically you are delighted.

          He'll be OK as long as he lux the other way.

  • websterp on 26/08/2022 - 09:50
    +2

    Check the capacity of the 18650 you currently have and get a different one with a higher capacity and this would prolong the operating time by another 30 mins or so at the highest lumen setting. Your flashlight might most likely have a 2000mAh generic 18650 and you can replace it by for example with a 3000mAh Sony VTC6. Go for branded batteries such as Sony Murata, Samsung, LG from a reputed seller and stay away from any battery sold on AliExpress or with a name ending ..fire as they are guaranteed fakes.

    You can also go for a model with a larger external battery bank that can sit in your pocket or comes with a wasitband.

    • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 09:57

      Very useful, thank you

      • websterp on 26/08/2022 - 10:13
        +2

        Also check if your light can operate while charging (problem is most won't). If it can you can always use a 10000 or 20000mAh power bank in your pocket charging the light via a USB cable and you'll be good for 8 hours easily.

        • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 10:20

          I have an 20000Ah power bank, I'll check it out.

    • newbo on 26/08/2022 - 13:53

      An option for finding specific 18650 batteries can be vape shops. Anything they'd use in a vaping device drawing 50-100W would work fine for most all flashlights.
      Interestingly, OG vaping devices were originally modified flashlights.

  • brendanm on 26/08/2022 - 09:55
    +1

    I'm pretty sure that if you have to use it on max at night for gardening, it is not putting out anywhere near 1200 lumens. Another factor is that the cheap Chinese 18650 is likely nowhere near the rated capacity.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 26/08/2022 - 10:03
    +1

    Start gardening earlier

    • battler on 26/08/2022 - 11:09

      or delay gardening till daylight saving in ~5 weeks.

      • eug on 26/08/2022 - 11:10
        +1

        He might need some garden saving if he waited that long.

  • eug on 26/08/2022 - 11:12

    For really long runtime you can get an LED worklight like this or this. With a large battery you can go many, many hours.

    They're invaluable around a campsite too as area lighting, e.g. the camp kitchen. Just aim it downwards away from other campers and keep the brightness down.

  • david clarke on 26/08/2022 - 11:25
    +1

    Have a look at https://ledlenser.com.au/collections/headlamps excellent products and their Lumens and associated runtimes are posted clearly.

    I also own a https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/oztrail-halo-headlamp-… which is on clearance at the moment.

    • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 11:43

      Great advice, thank you

  • poohduck on 26/08/2022 - 11:49

    You're getting around 500 lumens in reality - it drops down from 1170 after around 40 seconds. Even 500 lumens is a lot of light, especially when working at close quarters. It is a reasonable light, judging by reviews. I don't think you'll find a light that sustains greater than 500 lumens for very long. You will find other lights that sustain 500 lumens or less for longer.

    It will cost you a lot more for something significantly better. This is up there - it uses 2 x 21700 5000mah batteries - nearly 4x the capacity of your current battery: https://fenixlight.com.au/product/fenix-hp30r-v2-0-3000-lume…

    • Peachout on 26/08/2022 - 12:46
      +1

      Yes based on other comments & what I've read in the links I don't think it's 1200 lumens. I'm just using the highest setting on the torch - which it says is 1200 lumens - but I very much doubt it is now. I should add to my initial comments that I know pretty much nothing about batteries OR torches/lumens

      • poohduck on 26/08/2022 - 12:59

        it's a high performance light; they drop down in intensity to manage heat. All high performance lights work this way. It's straight out deceiving to advertise that something will hold 1200 lumens for 5hrs etc; they don't. Well, they might if you're in antarctica? You'd be better off just choosing the medium setting, which is 480 lumens. If you choose high, it will drop down to 480 lumens within one minute (40 seconds) anyway.

  • pegaxs on 26/08/2022 - 12:19

    1200 lumens? were you using it to light a football field for a whole game??

    • poohduck on 26/08/2022 - 12:41

      his garden might be an orchard?

  • Caped Baldy on 26/08/2022 - 12:53
    +2

    Buy another 18650 battery? Can get them for less than $10.

    The max capacity you'll get from a 18650 is 3500mAh. Don't trust the listings with 9900mAh capacity.

    These flat top 18650 should work.
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004055236059
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32809823573.html?spm=a2g0s.8…

  • kiitos on 27/08/2022 - 07:41
    +5

    I needed a headlamp for gardening after dark

    Simple solution - just plant some bulbs!

  • skillet on 27/08/2022 - 08:48
    +1

    Buy quality and genuine branded locally from here, pickup in Melbourne.

    https://www.lanplus.com.au/index.php?route=product/category&…

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