Inside a Shiny Probe head torch with detachable USB light.

[@zh84]

11:02 The product claims to be a "10,000 lumen" lamp. According to the Wikipedia article on lumens, this would equate to 100W of LEDs. Such things do exist, but you wouldn't necessarily want one strapped to your head.

[@killer1479]

and why not ???? this is an answer that needs questions! :O

[@lyfandeth]

Who not understand, Chinese Export Lumen very different, do not confuse with Arabic numbers!

[@douglascampbell9809]

True. I had a small 10,000 lumen flashlight. It would get really hot. I found this out when it the button turned it on in my pocket. It was quite a surprise. Nothing then it was like having an ember on your leg.

[@garbleduser]

What Would Photonicinduction Do?

[@extrastuff9463]

​@Dave Micolichek Gotta agree with that, 10000 lumens would be in the 3-4 Cree XHP70 emitter type range (or a single larger LED). I'm guessing it might be doable with 3 cool whites and high currents, 4 with lower currents in cool white or a more decent high CRI/neutral white using a bit more power. The smallest XHP70.2 torch I'm aware of is this one www.zebralight.com/SC700d-21700-XHP702-Neutral-White-High-CRI-Flashlight_p_233.html and using a Samsung INR21700-40T battery (rated for 35A continuous discharge) it would do that 3000 lumens for 1-2 minutes or so and then settle down to 2000 lumens with active cooling (or 900 lumens without a fan pointed at it). So 4 18650 high drain cells or equivalent arrangement would probably be the minimum requirement, in addition those LEDs on the head mounted contraption would need a large thermal mass or active cooling of some kind. I don't think I'd want or need either of those in that form factor, no bulky heavy thing or a fan blowing air around near my head. Regular boring old "just 1000 lumen max" with decent lower output modes will do just for head mounted stuff. Review of the zebralight sc700d with runtime graph: budgetlightforum.com/node/65105 That INR21700-40T cell is interesting though, a quick glance at lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Samsung%20INR21700-40T%204000mAh%20(Cyan)%20UK.html seems to indicate it might be worth looking into for some stuff I had in mind, could potentially change a project I had in mind from multi cell 18650/big lipo battery requirement into a single quickly swappable 21700 cell for simplicity. Bit pricy at €8,45 each from NKON, but they do seem nice to have for a compact punchy battery.

[@MickeyD2012]

That's actually pretty neat, I like it. It's an 18650 power bank and a headlight both in one. I'll bet it has amazing battery life.

[@osenmosen]

I'm imagining someone walking around with that thing on their head, with an USB lead attached to the forehead charging a phone in their hands. For some reason I find that picture hilarious. I guess you could use the flashlight on the phone while charging for some torch-ception in the dark. Thank you for making these videos Clive, I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching you take apart cheap shitty (and sometimes not so shitty!) Chinese stuff.

[@phils4634]

@yehoutube Bad experiences with Nitecore - out of four bought, only two have lasted more than a year. Fenix seem a lot better but again the cost is quite a lot higher.

[@osenmosen]

@yehoutube I know, I meant no disrespect. It's amazing that it's even possible to manufacture something like this and sell it for £10. I own some higher quality Chinese stuff too, Nitecore and Convoy torches for example. It's just that Clive tends to take apart the cheapest stuff and it's always entertaining.

[@RWBHere]

Osenmosen, it's also known as a dork strap, or a cockhead hat.

[@ollieb9875]

@@osenmosen I bought 2 of the Convoy S2+ I think they are, from gearbest very good!

[@PowerScissor]

Just put a little round neodymium magnet on your flat top cells and it converts them to button top.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

I was thinking something that lines myself. When I was going through my box of magnets just now to try to find one for somebody to see about doing.

[@fieroboom]

You can also add a blip of solder if you're careful with the heat. 👍

[@hughaskew6550]

Amazingly, the eBay listings all claim that this is a 10,000 lumen headlight. As if. I really think a seller can claim absolutely anything on eBay listings with impunity (believe me, I've complained often enough).

[@TrollFaceTheMan]

Is a neat design. Having the usb makes it immensely more versatile.

[@jlucasound]

LOVE your videos BigClive. You speak to my soul.

[@deelkar]

*SCRUNCH* "thats promising :)" I love you clive, don't ever change.

[@TheSqueeze.-]

Thats a pretty cool head light, iv never seen one with a usb light on it.

[@impmeister1]

First time I comment before finishing a video... As a Dutch person living now for 5 years in mexico., I missed the oldtimers drop more then anything else. In 2 month I'm going back to the Netherlands for vacation and this package of oldtimers makes me feel time is not going fast enough.

[@davidv1289]

I suppose you would want a rear stop light when dealing with a shiny probe. Thank you for another interesting video.

[@AzureFlash]

That battery branded "UltraFire" reminds me that I saw a line of computer power supplies by EVGA that bears the unfortunate name "SuperNova". I get what they're trying to convey, but... I'd prefer a "GentleEmber" power supply or something :P

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

What about Kindle Fire.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Remember all those laptops and Battery devices that use the same type of lithium battery that caught on fire such as an Infamous phones and other devices.

[@mistakenotou7681]

Its honest marketing they will catch fire and they have really small capacity and are not protected

[@willeveryday]

A easy fix for the 18650 cell without the 'pip' is to place a small magnet on the positive.

[@DubiousEngineering]

Torches... power banks... the wonderful Big Clive! .... how’s the Dutch candy?...

[@alanhunter2051]

The Dutch candy ... He is not worried about eating it and he has the munchies..lol

[@positivemelon7578]

Oldtimers are the best "drop" in existence

[@JerryDodge]

19:20 This is why I made the small investment in a magnifier/ring LED stand on my workbench. Helps for many things, not just electronics. No more destroying my teeth with flashlights!

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Speaky of LED ring lights I was given an old fluorescent one that took I think it was called Circle Line bulbs like a T12 or something right there at circular Florissant a course the ballast was bad he said might be but you I'm sure you can do something so I did is I converted it to LED used original Outlet in even put in a USB charger couple switches a couple are gizmos and gadgets. And even an iron stand for my soldering iron and a spool holder for my solder.

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

That detachable LED light doesn't look too secure to me - surely it could easily fall out when in use?

[@waldevv]

I guess this would also work as an 18650 charger

[@spacejaga]

Probably best use for this pile of..... 18650 charger with a 0.1 W led torch....

[@lostjohnny9000]

This is a modified strap-on. The lamp was obviously a marketing afterthought.

[@Useaname]

Ironically, I've just modified my old head torch to take a strap on.

[@lostjohnny9000]

The latest toy on the electronics market is the "Womanizer". USB chargeable rubber suction device. My guess is an aquarium pump housed in an ear inspection scope.

[@Useaname]

@@lostjohnny9000 I'll take a dozen.

[@Northern5tar]

"Shiny Probe"

[@MichaelMacGyver]

The colour of the torch part makes it look like something made by Bosch

[@LakeNipissing]

1 MHz operating frequency... perfect to wipe out any nearby AM / MW radio.

[@bigclivedotcom]

Are any of those wavelengths even still usable with the advent of cheap switchmode power supplies with massive compromises in electrical noise and safety to jam them into tiny lamp bases?

[@thatsunpossible312]

@@bigclivedotcom I have a USB car adaptor that even wipes out FM.

[@LakeNipissing]

Yes. I still listen to several MW stations for news and weather reports. FM is only music.

[@keiths-teeth]

What do you think about the 5G network and possible health effects. Or is it nothing new?

[@MazeFrame]

@@keiths-teeth Every new wireless system has those "causes cancer", "kills the children" and "is hotline to satan" going for it. When you stand in front of the antenna on a pole, that could be bad. The routers, phones and whatever else, no chance that is going to do anything. Too little power.

[@jurajhezel942]

Fascinating. Nicely built. Wonder if it can support a stronger LED.

[@KimcheeRacing]

If you have an 18650 with a flat top that won't make contact with your device, you can use a thin neodymium magnet to add that "button top".

[@pappalazarou3940]

Clive have you tested those Ultrafire cells? The reason i ask is they are notoriously poor quality, there was a video on here once where a guy took a dremmel to one & inside he discovered some grey,cement looking, powder around a AA battery! Also their rating bear no relation to the label, i avoid anything with Fire in the title but have you tested yours, have they improved?

Putting the word fire on the battery would make Clive buy one, clever marketing.

[@RWBHere]

Any Lithium cell with a brand name containing 'fire' will be a recycled and relabelled cell.They usually have low capacity, often only a few hundred mAh.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Very nice head lamp

[@veraxis9961]

While a good idea in theory, I think that the runtime/power efficiency losses of converting the battery voltage up to 5V and then dissipating the excess 2V to run the LED is pretty inefficient versus just running it directly off of the 3.7V of the battery. I would rather it just had a normal headlamp on the front with the USB port off to the side so you can charge while also using the lamp.

[@alasdairblackmore2592]

You "can" use those flat top batteries ... if you get some of that flat tab wire [the stuff they use to make 18650 power packs with] and fold it [to a size that is similar to the battery top] a couple of times you can jamb that folded tab in between the positive connector and the flat top positive of the battery ... close the lid and away you go ... the spring pushing against the other end of the battery should hold the folded tab in place ... and so should the back of the case. You could even change the positive connectors in the case for one that has a nipple ... or a spring. I bought the USB flashlight part on its own and intend upgrading the LED to a 10w at some point in the future [as a project].

[@martinj9647]

You can use neodymium magnets(I use 6x1 or 6x2mm) to make flat tops work in button top compartments. Of course it's not suitable for high drain since the heat will destroy the magnet, but something pulling maybe 3A or less works out nice, and can be bought in packs of 10-100 for next to nothing

[@MazeFrame]

Hmm... So I could put a powerbank with belt clip to charge the headlamp part wich then has a USB extension going to the lamp part? NICE!

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

That could happen or just use a powerbank to charge 18 650 s so if you need 18 650 for something else you plug the headlamp portion the actual lamp is the power bank in the extension and usually 18 650s the power of the other device.

[@wsmithjr74]

Free energy!

[@whitehoose]

Weeeel. It depends if the two will play nicely together. I'm trying to find the best (cheapest) way to power a TS80 soldering Iron from any type of battery I have to hand. Basic components are a 3-30v up/down buck boost converter and a 3-20v QC3 controller In theory I should be able to use anything from 2xAA cells up to a s4 lipo - and it works with all my batteries, with one exception. The Poundland 4000mAh Power Geek power bank that BigC featured 3 months ago seemed a good investment, I bought 2 and they've been great, until I plugged this buck boost in. the BB's display just starts flashing on and off and nothing comes out. If I bypass the power geeks 3.6-5v boost - it works fine - but that also bypasses the protection which I'm reluctant to do because the load is quite high. I've not had time to try and work round ... but it just shows that there can be compatibility issues with some combinations.

[@Darieee]

I read shitty head torch in the title .. and was always constantly waiting to see what’s wrong with it and where it cought fire.. alas.. not one of those days I guess

[@gillenzfluff8380]

No it definitely is shitty.

[@_BangDroid_]

Me too lol

[@jrsc01.]

The signal light at the back acts like a cars rear brake light. Mainly for warning people behind you in the dark that you are there or whilst you are in the mines during a power cut.

[@gillenzfluff8380]

Surely people behind would see the front light anyway.

[@ColtaineCrows]

In case they missed the bright light of the head lamp itself...

[@bills6093]

The red led on the back allows following along a trail in the dark without using the main light.

[@jkmacgyver]

@@vadhakara I love they'd even care about them being intrinsically safe.. since they're using explosives and used to run carbide lamps! but they would be useful for caving if you had a backup.

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

I'd be interested to know the actual switching speed of the boost, and whether if varies by load. I suspect that perhaps the document means that the chip is designed to be able to switch that fast, with the frequency as well as the duty cycle determined by the inductance, capacitance, and load. By the way, if you have a scope, a square wave source (scope output for probe compensation adjustments, then you are equipped to at least estimate inductor values, by measuring the time constant. (Or use it in a Colpitts oscillator with a frequency counter.) And, as long as I'm writing, where, on the internet, would you go for 18650 cells of reliably good quality (not a little cell in a big jacket, not old cells removed from equipment, recently manufactured rather than having years on the distributors shelf, since capacity does degrade)? Of have I missed a video that you've already done?

[@jlucasound]

Back in the seventies I had a Gismo. I see it has been "re" done. Looks better, actually, and works well.

[@maicod]

@ 20:00 the vice was begging in the corner of your room to let it show it's knowledge

[@databanks]

The signal light on the back could be a help for cyclists mounting the whole thing on their helmets, too. Flashing red LED as a backup if their regular tail light is damaged or out of power. Enough to keep you out of trouble with the boys in blue until you can get home, at least

[@Kineth1]

It's the eyestalk from one of the humans that were converted to Daleks! Or an opportunity to cosplay as one of them.

[@1bigsyd]

Thanks again Clive...just ordered something again I don’t need but must have

[@Venomator.]

Did buy one of these, similar but not with a shiny probe, a year or so ago, mainly for the USB light (because it’s Green of course!) and trying to purchase the light on its own was hugely expensive for some reason! Love the torch, the head bit is good for dog walking, although not hugely comfortable! Great review and tear apart though Clive, cheers sir... 👍🏻 😉 🐍

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

Hmm both rear box and lamp could be optimized with one board each (and different molded parts). In the rear, the charging port and chips could be on a wider rear board with just the two battery plates protruding. Middle divider could be part of box moulding (rear LEDs slightly lower), making it just box, PCB and rubber lid. In the lamp, the controller could be on the Aluminum LED PCB with the zooming ring moving the lens instead of the LED. This saves one PCB and two wires, and avoids making the cross for linear movement (turning the lens causes no problem). So just bottom housing, PCB with plug, LED, button and chip tucked in with a drop of thermally conducting glue, lens ring screwed on and the lens tucked into the lens ring.

[@blubbspinat9363]

You know what's a load of fun? Put two 18650s in with one of them backwards :o)

[@dimitar4y]

pfft

[@dimitar4y]

@@joshmbrown42 also fwoomb.

[@_Piers_]

@@dimitar4y ...and then quite a lot of $%^^££"!!!!!! :)

[@CanonFirefly]

Even two cells, one at 4.2V and the other at 3V would be interesting. Things might get a little toasty...

[@skwarkman]

The negative springs light up (glow white hot) like your Grannies 1950's electric fire on a winters day - LETHAL - (Accidental - been there/done that) its like two giant vape coils that melt the battery container in seconds. I have no idea why something that dangerous could be sold !!

[@johnrobinson357]

I just saw you on the SMA channel 5 mins ago. Cool. Sometimes the lateral connections of You Tube are amazing....

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Hey using Google somehow to watch your content.

[@bigclivedotcom]

I like to just relax and watch someone else tinkering in their workshop. It turned out that Eric O watches my channel too.

[@johnrobinson357]

@@bigclivedotcom He is a good guy. I have fixed cars for a while so i understand the banter. A path i gave up on for many reasons. I fix my own and friends and family now. No more than that. His shop is maybe 3 hours west of me.......

[@johnrobinson357]

@@bigclivedotcom Julian posted a cool little circuit a while ago - from 1980.

[@nickdaria]

Lol his accent and voice, he’s the Bob Ross of small electronics

[@matthewmiller6068]

My favorite sketchy Lithium battery brand I have seen is "Soon Fire".....

[@lsudan2670]

love these small usb lights 😉🔦💡

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

I've got big hulking power power bank that use in emergencies I'm looking for a decent one so I can get locally without having to go online any clue as to where one might be able to get it in the United States without going online... Also I remember Dollar Tree used to sell these lights that looks like a USB book light on a stalk all flexible silicone housing with a LED array on a aluminum back circuit board not a cob type chip arrangement you're with a gel but individual white LEDs surface mount 1 individual resistor for the whole board.i bout a tun of them just for the LED boards. Has anyone had experience with a Dollar Tree Sunbeam brand electrical equipment they used to have those all three Outlet power strip quote on quote which was actually more like a power strip Liberator with three Outlets in a small female section which by the way those can be taken apart and put on a longer cord and also there's a project I'm working on right now does new power strips that have through there that turn on when the current exceeds 15 what's on the control receptacle it has four switched Outlets controlled by that and to receptacles that's or unswitched. I am in the process of reverse engineering it so that I can add a CAT5 cable so that I have an output when there's power present can turn on or off a said about let's remotely and also tell when the current is being drawn from that control master receptacle and even more and also I will be having those to be used with another cable connected to a switch box in receptacle it's still spending as much doing that with a j a junction box and receptacles. And heavy cable.

[@ritzevespa]

Nice oldtimers are really great :)

[@justhuman3977]

Hahahaha the Autodrop........ Remko is a boss for sending you that..

[@menagisman2282]

I need this but I can't find the link. 🥺

[@pkunkbwok]

Annoying blinky mode is for when you're bicycling and drivers are too busy talking on their phones or snorting coke off the dash or whatever. When they crush you under their wheels they don't have the excuse that they didn't see your lights.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good video Big Clive

[@seannot-telling9806]

Clive you have a baby Dalek there I think. Better call Doctor Who and get it checked out. On another note. What size cap would be the right size to add for the missing one? Have you looked at the price options on eBay for that light. They are all over the place.

[@bigclivedotcom]

I'd guess that anywhere from 1uF to 10uF miniature ceramic would do.

[@seannot-telling9806]

@@bigclivedotcom I might give it a try. On a side note. Did you happen to hear that KZbin is going to start removing videos of things that are unsafe? A person has to wonder how they are going to do that and if it's based on someone reporting how many will false report videos. Look out Net Nanny is watching.

[@bigclivedotcom]

@@seannot-telling9806 It'll probably result in a lot of militant reporting for the silliest of things. That's why I value the Patreon and PayPal support more than the AdSense. It provides a buffer against things like this.

[@philipcross1586]

i wanna see someone make and sell 18650 cells and call them big bang or firestarter.

[@superbun277]

Would putting two cells into the holder affect the performance of the usb output at all?

[@americanrebel413]

This is cool thank you for sharing, I love your inquisitiveness It reminds me of when I was a kid and liked to take things apart, Mainly watches, No disrespect I admire your style. Thank you.

[@dallasdorrington7449]

Shall we "HOIK IT OUT?" What could possibly go wrong! The word HOIK, Meaning: To rip out forcefully. Love Big Clive's sayings.

[@zackshick11]

I'd quite like to see a tear down of a NEBO Slyde King flashlight. I absolutely love them and I want to know how well they are built because I know first-hand that they will take abuse. I never was brave enough to take mine apart because I use it daily

[@PuchMaxi]

Autodrop is the brand, they make all kind of 'car' themed liquorice and winegums. It's also sold at gas/petrol stations, hence the name and theme. I personally like the Cadillacs from (van) Autodrop.

[@MatteusClement]

You do great work. Please keep it up

[@christianrachel3026]

I followed you on another account so all my videos were unmatched that's how much I love Big Clive

[@kabturek]

Now i can't unsee that dot in the middle ;-)

[@douglascampbell9809]

Clive that light on the back of the unit is to keep people from walking into you when walking at night on trails.

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

Douglas Campbell If it was slightly stronger, you could use the setup as front AND rear lights when cycling or skateboarding at night.

[@techtastisch7569]

Could you try what happens when you enable the "option" option?

[@CozzyKnowsBest]

Are you pulling our leg? "Just search for shiny probe" .....Clive?

[@thehappylittlefoxakabenji8154]

not sure if foxy would wear such things but I do like the orange bit on the strap !

[@The_Last_Post]

Clive, have you ever taken apart a laptop battery for the cells? Would love a video of you doing just this

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

There is plenty of other stuff in her other videos about doing all that on KZbin you know and yes I've done it myself. Imma do it yourself for that is disabled with limited income so a lot of stuff a build is with salvage parts including you know those electric blanket controllers the 101 to work horde and sometimes two units or just one in the three or four wires house those are handy to make controls for things if you toggle switches or what. Bow multiple circuit controller of course put in a fuse.

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

TheLastPost Funny, I would rather take it apart to replace dead cells. Salvaging a lap top from a dead battery saves a lot more than salvaging a battery from a dead laptop.

[@thavinator]

What, you're gonna casually mention that you're sitting right next to a GADGET MOUNTAIN and then not show it to us?!

[@bigclivedotcom]

The whole house has turned into a bachelor-grade gadget mountain. But it looks like one of those TV programs about hoarders.

[@rklauco]

@@bigclivedotcom Idea for a long-time timelapse or stream? ;)

[@deelkar]

it seems when loaded the boost converter just stops switching and just passes battery voltage straight through.

[@mxslick50]

Thanks to your other video, I now always think of the charging port cover as a "piss-flap." LOL

[@TonyLing]

I had the torch unit arrive today and on the Ruideng it measures just 2W and not the stated 3W

[@electroniquepassion]

Merci pour la video 👍

[@Qwarzz]

Now I'm curios what that option switch might do. Do I have to order one of there? :)

[@agvulpine]

I need to see somebody lying on a table, wearing this head strap, and then somebody plugs a long USB cable into their head.

[@barthonhoff5547]

Gadget mountain... Hmm, I will indeed use this to describe my pile of Ali-express stuff in the future as well

[@Klonkiller361]

The 3Ah Rating of the Lithium Cells is probably based on calculations with the Head having 10000 Lumen

[@OlaMagnusLie]

Can you charge it while using it? A double 18650 power supply for projects would be appreciated...

[@bigclivedotcom]

The charging and boost circuitry are separate so I'd guess you can charge it while using it.

[@OlaMagnusLie]

@@bigclivedotcom Thank you for your reply! I picked up one, and I'll try it out on my next Arduino project, which is animating a LEGO-display. That's why it would be cool to be able to run it off batteries from time to time, but mainly use external power.

[@frostfirei]

I have one that allows you to use it without batteries, with a powerbank.

[@OlaMagnusLie]

@@frostfirei A power supply without batteries? I'm not following you, unfortunately.

[@OlaMagnusLie]

@@bigclivedotcom ...And it works! I'll grab a couple more; a battery box, charging circuit and booster all neatly wrapped in one, with a USB light for free! The headband was removed non-destructively, so it can be re-mounted if I choose, but I might make the USB outlet be on a quick-connector because of its size. Brilliant buy, though! Thanks for the review! Oh, and it can be used completely without batteries as well, if it is incorporated into something that is stored long periods without batteries in it.

[@eidodk]

Everytime i see the name UltraFire, i immediately think - AH - Another one of those scammy chinese batteries from Banggood

[@transtubular]

Actual Ultrafire brand batteries are fairly good, I've owned and used a set of 4 for years now and they have never failed me. The problem is of course the fakes using the same branding that have filler stuffed inside to make it weigh the same as a real 18650.

[@aserta]

Find it kinda funny how ideas precede trends. Years ago when the first aluminium China-direct zoom-able lights came out, a friend of mine took apart one, ditched the handle and put an USB on the back with a little machined plate/spacer. Kinda said he's wasting his time, you're better off with one or the other, or what are you going to plug it in? Your laptop? Aaand fast forward, they are super popular now and a neat idea because you can plug on in a power bank and make a flashlight or the above.

[@JessicaFEREM]

I've found the USB light module itself on amazon for $7 and ebay for $8. not a bad little flashlight module

[@Kevinthomaswatson]

I bought one of those clip on the hat lights and I really like the light but that little chip kept draining the battery so I performed surgery and removed the chip and all it's friends and added a current limiting resistor and now all s good.

[@tobiasom8629]

Alpkit make nice headtorches!

[@peterjackhandy]

I’ve gotta stop watching Clive videos at breakfast - My pot of tea’s stewed AGAIN'

[@jarthurs]

Listening on headphones and it sounds like I can hear a tumble drier running in the background...

[@bigclivedotcom]

You're right. I was drying some overalls in the background.

[@jarthurs]

We never had a tumble drier until we moved to North Wales (the land where nothing dries). I imagine the IoM is much the same!

[@kossmonaut]

i bought this head torch based on your suggestion and it was cheap... it broke after a year and wont charge batteries anymore ... want it?

[@jon1758]

You can use a small magnet on the end of those flat 18650's to make them work in that battery holder.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Yes even I said that but this is beginning to get redundant redundant there must be five or more people we were more the same basic called mint let's just make some other comments instead of those

[@billyproctor9714]

Thanks for sharing this with us Clive, Bill here in Canada. I'm wondering if you can help me out with a problem I've run into. I purchased a higher end headlamp that came with two 18650 2200 mah Bats. As I was using it at the time I grabbed two replacements from my collection of 160 of these cells but they wouldn't work I tried several pairs but nothing worked. After charging the originals all was fine. It seem that they were proprietory cells although that was not mentioned in the description on purchasing. I have checked and it has nothing to do with the length. I confirmed my suspicion with the company and they didn't seem to give a shit that I had to buy more of their batteries if I wanted spares. At a price of 15 Can paso's each that isn't going to happen. Any thoughts on how they might have gone about this or how I might detect it and solve it? The only other option is too sell this thing off to someone else, I will disclose the issue, I need to sleep at night. Cheers Clive keep up the great info, Bill in Canada [e-mail]

[@milcotto4153]

The moral of the story must be: Never buy high end headlamps untill they have alle stopped doing this. It is unacceptable behaviour on their part. Period.

[@billyproctor9714]

Thank you Annie, the company is called MSForce, watch out if you buy from them, Cheers, Bill

[@bigclivedotcom]

Are you sure they are making contact inside the holder? It could be that thing where different length pips on the positive end look like they're long enough, but don't actually make contact due to the plastic contact holder. Definitely make sure that two cells are making proper contact individually before putting them in parallel.

[@billyproctor9714]

@@bigclivedotcom The problem ones are 67.65 mm and I have tried a bunch between 65.30 and 69.02. The company admitted they were propitiatory but that was all they would say..Thanks, Bill

[@_Piers_]

The reason there are a lot of 18650's with fire in there name stems from the brand Surefire. They supplied lights to the military (and gun nuts) and had quite the reputation for reliable products. So when the Chinese companies started to make copies of the Surefire lights, they kept the fire part - Ultrafire, Trustfire, Solarfire...etc. The early Ultrafire 18650's were good batteries with genuine capacities, the same for Trustfire. Sadly that didn't last long and then the counterfeit batteries flooded the market, they could buy rolls of shrinktube to cover 18650's in the markets of Shenzen and then make any crappy battery look like what was previously a reputable brand. /Rambles of a recovering flashaholic :D

[@bigclivedotcom]

"Recovering flashaholic" Yeah right. I bet you still make flashlight impulse purchases.

[@SagePatrynXX]

Ultrafire ewe alot of repurposed cells. , not the worst but nothing like finding a flat head laptop cell inside some of those (not all). Found blue and purple so far... Usually I've gotten those with the flats and they work. not sure if there are different flats or not.. so only protected cells I have / had were the knocks from ultrafire some red some yellow

[@JerryEricsson]

1970 Fort Lewis Washington, U.S. Army Basic Training - the drill instructors issued us each two pieces of glow in the dark tape, we were instructed on how to mount it on the back of our helmets, the proper distance apart, and hight above the rim etc. So once it was taped to our camouflaged helmet covers, we discovered why such a silly thing was issued. We went for one of the Army's favorite exercises, a 5 mile march, in the night, in the dark, in the dark forest on the back side of Fort Lewis. The reason for the tape? So we could follow our fellow soldiers at the right distance, where we could just see the separation of the tape, thus knowing we were going the right direction at the right speed, and if, perhaps the tape suddenly vanished? Well stop and don't march off that damn cliff! Perhaps that is the reason for the tail light on the head gear.

[@just4therecord]

I bought just the detachable USB light. I wanted to turn it on or off by supplying a 5v to it instead of pressing the button. It does work but after awhile, it doesnt work anymore and the button must be press again in order to turn it on. I wonder why is that and if theres a way I can make it work by just turning on or off my 5v supply? Any help would be greatly appreciated

[@-Gadget-]

As far as I can gather from previous videos, the reason is that the power supply you have is switching off, due to the drain being bellow a certain level. Clive mentioned this in a few of his videos. Basically, if you aren't drawing enough current constantly, the power bank thinks there is nothing connected to it and disables the output 🤔

[@G1ZQCArtwork]

There probably would have been less voltage drop if there were two batteries in place perhaps.?

[@gordonprentice7090]

David Potter the putting two batteries in would only increase the capacity not the voltage as batteries are used in parallel. It’s the chip that’s restricting the output to 1amp.

[@kjur18]

@@gordonprentice7090 I think he meant that there will be less voltage drop on these cheap chinesium cells. Obviously one cell can't keep up with current

[@G1ZQCArtwork]

@@kjur18 Yes, this is what I indicated, there would be less voltage drop if two batteries were in place. I have done my own tests on these head torches. Why else would they use two cells.? Yes I know about capacity, but it also helps with voltage drop across each cell. If voltage drops, then current drops in sympathy. Basic Physics.

[@G1ZQCArtwork]

@@gordonprentice7090 Yes, this is what I indicated, there would be less voltage drop if two batteries were in place. I have done my own tests on these head torches. Why else would they use two cells.? Yes I know about capacity, but it also helps with voltage drop across each cell. If voltage drops, then current drops in sympathy. Basic Physics.

[@kjur18]

@@G1ZQCArtwork Once I had in my hands something like portable flood/work light with a few modes. I had 4 18650's. I measured them with analyzing charger. All of them combined had about 800mAh. So well, no wonder that voltage drops like crazy. Thin cables don't help in this case, they might drop even about 1V with some current.

[@hobbesip1]

Clive, did you forget to measure the current draw of the LED module itself, or did I miss that part?

[@bigclivedotcom]

450mA at full and 100mA at low.

[@chipheadnet]

i use those small neodymium magnets on the positive side of the flat top 18650s and they work. all my headlamps use salvaged laptop batteries. And can you link that little lit magnifying glass?

[@bigclivedotcom]

www.ebay.com/itm/5X-15X-40X-Handheld-LED-Lighting-ABS-Plastic-Case-Magnifying-Glass/292835479477?var=591611736156

[@chipheadnet]

@@bigclivedotcom thx! Now I'll have to find a vendor that will ship to Alaska :)

[@bigclivedotcom]

@@chipheadnet Do you have difficulty getting things shipped there? A lot of sellers won't ship here.

[@chipheadnet]

@@bigclivedotcom not too bad but yeah a lot of ebay sellers won't ship here i can usually find one. in the case of that mag glass i ended up getting it from amazon.

[@chrisleech1565]

Clive, do they ship the 18650s in the post? One seller describes there being two in the package. Trust Fire heheheh :)

[@bigclivedotcom]

I think they might allow cells to be shipped if they are integral to a product. But you can bet the cells they supplied would be the cheapest they could find in the local tech-market.

[@Cammi_Rosalie]

Ok. Cool little lamp, but why again were searching "shiny probe"? Just kidding. Thanks again BC!

[@bepstein111]

I use 18650's everyday, but I don't know that I would strap two of them to my head/face...

[@MrScotttraynor]

shiny probe tourch.. was execting a alien reference

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Big Clive says not too bad. Ave says not tea bag.

[@scriptonite2182]

11:15 You know what you need is a headlight to examine that headlight.. is this ironic 🤔 ??? Um... No... I don't think so.

[@lyfandeth]

Clive, 1x3mm tiny disc magnets, $5/150 delivered. Pop one on a flat top 18650 and it will work well enough at low loads. That looks like a counterfeit Ultrafire, at one point every UF 18650 on ebay and Amazon were counterfeits. Every one of them.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

I have actually heard something about that for what friends.

[@wobblysauce]

MAgnets are good outside of a case, but a little alloy scrunched ball does wonders.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Ally or aluminum foil also works great for when you only have AAA batteries but need Double A's and you don't need much power. We're fixing something that has a battery holder gets damaged but bring broken off but there's a bit of a stub left to connect the battery using aluminum foil.

[@raykent3211]

Someone has to put the words torch and flashlight in proximity and await the indignation, so I thought I'd help out. My elderly french neighbour will sometimes refer to a torch as "pile" (battery, dating from Volta's Pile, perhaps?) and sometimes as "chandelle" (candle). Amusing to be asked to take a look at someone's inoperative candle. The icing on the cake is that "une batterie" can be a battery, set of saucepans or drum kit. Tricky for alexa, I imagine.