• What can be cooked from squid: quick and tasty

    For safety and the ability to continue active activities in the dark, a person needs artificial lighting. Primitive people pushed the darkness apart, setting fire to tree branches, then invented a torch and a kerosene stove. And only after the invention of the prototype of a modern battery by the French inventor George Leclanche in 1866, and in 1879 by Thomson Edison of the incandescent lamp, did David Meisel have the opportunity to patent the first electric torch in 1896.

    Since then in electrical diagram new models of lanterns did not change anything, until in 1923 the Russian scientist Oleg Vladimirovich Losev found a connection between luminescence in silicon carbide and the p-n-junction, and in 1990 scientists failed to create an LED with a higher light output, which allows replacing an incandescent light bulb. The use of LEDs instead of incandescent lamps, due to the low power consumption of LEDs, has made it possible to significantly increase the operating time of flashlights with the same capacity of batteries and accumulators, increase the reliability of flashlights and practically remove all restrictions on their area of ​​use.

    The LED rechargeable flashlight that you see in the photo came to me for repair with a complaint that the Lentel GL01 Chinese flashlight bought the other day for $ 3 does not shine, although the battery charge indicator is on.


    External inspection of the lantern made a positive impression. High-quality casting of the case, comfortable handle and switch. The plugs for connecting to the household network for charging the battery are retractable, which eliminates the need to store the power cord.

    Attention! When disassembling and repairing the flashlight, if it is connected to the mains, care must be taken. Touching exposed circuitry while connected to the mains can result in electric shock.

    How to disassemble the Lentel GL01 LED rechargeable torch

    Although the flashlight was subject to warranty repair, remembering my walks during the warranty repair of a failed electric kettle (the kettle was expensive and the heating element burned out in it, so it was not possible to repair it with my own hands), I decided to do the repair myself.


    It turned out to be easy to disassemble the lantern. It is enough to turn the ring fixing the protective glass by a small angle counterclockwise and pull it off, then unscrew several screws. It turned out that the ring is fixed to the body using a bayonet connection.


    After removing one of the halves of the flashlight body, access to all its nodes appeared. On the left in the photo, a printed circuit board with LEDs is visible, to which a reflector (light reflector) is attached using three self-tapping screws. In the center there is a black battery with unknown parameters, there is only a marking of the polarity of the terminals. To the right of the battery is a printed circuit board for the charger and display. On the right is a power plug with retractable rods.


    Upon closer examination of the LEDs, it turned out that there were black spots or dots on the emitting surfaces of the crystals of all LEDs. It became clear even without checking the LEDs with a multimeter that the flashlight does not shine due to their burnout.


    There were also blackened areas on the crystals of two LEDs installed as a backlight on the battery charging indication board. In LED lamps and strips, one LED usually fails, and working as a fuse, protects the rest from burnout. And in the lantern, all nine LEDs went out of order at the same time. The battery voltage could not increase to a value that could damage the LEDs. To find out the reason, I had to draw an electrical schematic diagram.

    Finding the reason for the failure of the flashlight

    The electric circuit of the lantern consists of two functionally complete parts. The part of the circuit located to the left of the switch SA1 serves as a charger. And the part of the circuit shown to the right of the switch provides a glow.


    The charger works as follows. The voltage from the 220 V household network is supplied to the current-limiting capacitor C1, then to the bridge rectifier assembled on VD1-VD4 diodes. From the rectifier, voltage is supplied to the battery terminals. Resistor R1 serves to discharge the capacitor after removing the flashlight plug from the network. Thus, electric shock from the discharge of the capacitor is excluded in the event of accidental hand touching of two pins of the plug at the same time.

    The HL1 LED, connected in series with the current-limiting resistor R2 in the opposite direction with the upper right diode of the bridge, as it turned out, always lights up when the plug is inserted into the network, even if the battery is faulty or disconnected from the circuit.

    The SA1 operating mode switch is used to connect individual groups of LEDs to the battery. As you can see from the diagram, it turns out that if the flashlight is connected to the mains for charging and the switch slider is in position 3 or 4, then the voltage from the battery charger also goes to the LEDs.

    If a person turned on the flashlight and found that it did not work, and, not knowing that the switch engine must be set to the "off" position, which is not said in the operating instructions for the flashlight, connect the flashlight to the mains for charging, then at the expense of voltage surge at the output of the charger, a voltage significantly higher than the calculated one will hit the LEDs. The current will flow through the LEDs in excess of the permissible current and they will burn out. With the aging of the acid battery due to the sulfation of the lead plates, the battery charge voltage increases, which also leads to burnout of the LEDs.

    Another circuit solution that surprised me was the parallel connection of seven LEDs, which is unacceptable, since the current-voltage characteristics of even LEDs of the same type are different and therefore the current passing through the LEDs will also not be the same. For this reason, when choosing the value of the resistor R4 based on the maximum allowable current flowing through the LEDs, one of them may overload and fail, and this will lead to an overcurrent of the parallel connected LEDs, and they will also burn out.

    Alteration (modernization) of the electric circuit of the lantern

    It became obvious that the breakdown of the lantern was due to mistakes made by the developers of its electrical circuit diagram. To repair the flashlight and exclude its repeated breakdown, it is necessary to redo it by replacing the LEDs and making minor changes to the electrical circuit.


    In order for the battery charge indicator to really signal its charging, it is necessary to turn on the HL1 LED in series with the battery. The LED needs a current of several milliamps to light up, and the current output from the charger should be about 100 mA.

    To ensure these conditions, it is enough to disconnect the HL1-R2 chain from the circuit in the places indicated by the red crosses and in parallel with it, install an additional 47 Ohm resistor Rd with a power of at least 0.5 W. The charge current flowing through Rd will create a voltage drop of about 3 V across it, which will provide the necessary current for the HL1 indicator to glow. At the same time, the connection point HL1 and Rd must be connected to pin 1 of switch SA1. So in a simple way the possibility of supplying voltage from the charger to the EL1-EL10 LEDs while the battery is being charged will be excluded.

    To equalize the magnitude of the currents flowing through the EL3-EL10 LEDs, it is necessary to exclude the resistor R4 from the circuit and in series with each LED connect a separate resistor with a nominal value of 47-56 Ohm.

    Electrical diagram after revision

    Minor changes made to the circuit have increased the information content of the charge indicator of an inexpensive Chinese LED flashlight and increased its reliability many times over. I hope that the manufacturers of LED lights, after reading this article, will make changes to the wiring diagrams of their products.


    After modernization, the electrical circuit diagram took the form as in the drawing above. If you need to illuminate with a flashlight for a long time and you do not need a high brightness of its glow, then you can additionally install a current-limiting resistor R5, due to which the operating time of the flashlight without recharging will double.

    Repair of LED rechargeable flashlight

    After disassembly, first of all, it is necessary to restore the working capacity of the flashlight, and then to deal with the modernization.


    Checking the LEDs with a multimeter confirmed their malfunction. Therefore, all the LEDs had to be evaporated and the holes for installing new diodes had to be freed from the solder.


    Judging by appearance, lamp LEDs from the HL-508H series with a diameter of 5 mm were installed on the board. There were HK5H4U type LEDs from a linear LED lamp with similar technical characteristics. They came in handy for repairing the lantern. When soldering the LEDs to the board, do not forget to observe the polarity, the anode must be connected to the positive terminal of the battery or battery.

    After replacing the LEDs, the PCB was connected to the circuit. The brightness of some LEDs due to the common current-limiting resistor was slightly different from others. To eliminate this drawback, it is necessary to remove the resistor R4 and replace it with seven resistors, connecting it in series with each LED.

    To select a resistor that provides the optimal mode of operation of the LED, the dependence of the current flowing through the LED on the value of the series-connected resistance at a voltage of 3.6 V, equal to the voltage of the flashlight battery, was measured.

    Based on the conditions for using the flashlight (in the event of a power outage in the apartment), high brightness and illumination range were not required, so the resistor was chosen with a nominal value of 56 ohms. With such a current-limiting resistor, the LED will operate in light mode, and power consumption will be economical. If you want to squeeze out the maximum brightness from the flashlight, then you should use a resistor, as can be seen from the table, with a nominal value of 33 Ohm and make two modes of operation of the flashlight, including another common current-limiting resistor (in the diagram R5) with a nominal value of 5.6 Ohm.


    To connect a resistor in series with each LED, you must first prepare the printed circuit board. To do this, you need to cut on it one by one any current-carrying track suitable for each LED and make additional contact pads. The current-carrying paths on the board are protected by a layer of varnish, which must be scraped off with a knife blade to copper, as in the photograph. Then tinned the bare contact pads with solder.

    Preparing a printed circuit board for mounting resistors and soldering them is better and more convenient if the board is fixed to a standard reflector. In this case, the surface of the LED lenses will not be scratched, and it will be more convenient to work.

    Connecting the diode board after repair and modernization to the flashlight battery showed sufficient for illumination and the same brightness of all LEDs.

    I did not have time to repair the previous flashlight, when the second one got into repair, with the same malfunction. On the body of the flashlight, I did not find information about the manufacturer and technical characteristics, but judging by the handwriting of the manufacture and the reason for the breakdown, the manufacturer is the same, the Chinese Lentel.

    By the date on the body of the flashlight and on the battery, it was possible to establish that the flashlight was already four years old and, according to its owner, the flashlight worked flawlessly. Obviously, the flashlight lasted a long time thanks to the warning sign "Do not turn on while charging!" on a hinged cover that covers the compartment, in which the plug is hidden for connecting the flashlight to the mains for charging the battery.


    In this model of the lantern, the LEDs are included in the circuit according to the rules, a 33 Ohm resistor is installed in series with each. The size of the resistor is easy to find by color coding using an online calculator. Checking with a multimeter showed that all the LEDs are faulty, the resistors were also open-circuited.

    Analysis of the reasons for the failure of the LEDs showed that due to the sulfation of the plates of the acid battery, its internal resistance increased and, as a result, its charging voltage increased several times. During charging, the flashlight was turned on, the current through the LEDs and resistors exceeded the limit, which led to their failure. I had to replace not only the LEDs, but all the resistors. Based on the above specified operating conditions of the flashlight, 47 Ohm resistors were selected for replacement. The resistor value for any type of LED can be calculated using an online calculator.

    Redesign of the battery charging mode indication circuit

    The flashlight has been repaired, and you can start making changes to the battery charging indication circuit. For this, it is necessary to cut the track on the printed circuit board of the charger and display in such a way that the HL1-R2 chain from the side of the LED is disconnected from the circuit.

    The lead-acid AGM battery was brought to a deep discharge, and an attempt to charge it with a standard charger was unsuccessful. I had to charge the battery using a stationary power supply with the function of limiting the load current. The battery was supplied with a voltage of 30 V, while at the first moment of time it consumed a current of only a few mA. Over time, the current began to increase and after a few hours it increased to 100 mA. After fully charged, the battery was installed in the flashlight.

    Charging deeply discharged lead-acid AGM batteries after long storage increased voltage allows you to restore their performance. I have tested the method on AGM batteries more than a dozen times. New batteries that do not want to be charged from standard chargers, when charged from a constant source at a voltage of 30 V, are restored to almost their original capacity.

    The battery was discharged several times by turning on the flashlight and charged using a standard charger. The measured charge current was 123 mA, with a voltage at the battery terminals of 6.9 V. Unfortunately, the battery was worn out and it was enough for the flashlight to work for 2 hours. That is, the capacity of the battery was about 0.2 A × hour, and for a long-term operation of the flashlight it needs to be replaced.


    The HL1-R2 chain on the PCB was well placed, and it was necessary to cut just one conductive path at an angle, as in the photo. The cutting width must be at least 1 mm. Calculation of the resistor rating and testing in practice showed that for the stable operation of the battery charging indicator, a 47 Ohm resistor with a power of at least 0.5 W. is required.

    The photo shows a printed circuit board with a soldered current limiting resistor. After such a modification, the battery charge indicator glows only if the battery is actually being charged.

    Modernization of the mode switch

    To complete the repair and modernization of the lanterns, it is necessary to re-solder the wires at the switch terminals.

    In the models of repaired lamps, a four-position slide-type switch is used to turn on. The average conclusion in the above photograph is general. When the switch slider is in the extreme left position, the common terminal is connected to the left terminal of the switch. When you move the switch slider from the extreme left position one position to the right, its general output is connected to the second output, and upon further movement of the slider sequentially to 4 and 5 outputs.

    To the middle common terminal (see photo above), you need to solder the wire coming from the positive terminal of the battery. Thus, it will be possible to connect the battery to a charger or LEDs. You can solder a wire from the main board with LEDs to the first terminal, and a 5.6 Ohm current-limiting resistor R5 can be soldered to the second to enable the flashlight to switch to an energy-saving mode of operation. Solder the lead from the charger to the rightmost terminal. This will exclude the possibility of turning on the flashlight while charging the battery.

    Repair and modernization
    LED rechargeable flashlight-searchlight "Foton PB-0303"

    I got to repair another copy from a series of Chinese-made LED flashlights called Photon PB-0303 LED floodlight. The flashlight did not react when the power button was pressed, an attempt to charge the flashlight battery using a charger was unsuccessful.


    The flashlight is powerful, expensive, and costs about $ 20. According to the manufacturer, the luminous flux of the lantern reaches 200 meters, the body is made of impact-resistant ABS plastic, the kit includes a separate charger and a shoulder strap.


    Photon LED flashlight has good maintainability. To gain access to the electrical circuit, simply unscrew the plastic ring holding the protective glass by rotating the ring counterclockwise while looking at the LEDs.


    When repairing any electrical appliance, troubleshooting always begins with the power source. Therefore, the first thing was measured with a multimeter turned on in the mode, the voltage at the terminals of the acid battery. It was 2.3 V, instead of 4.4 V required. The battery has been completely discharged.

    When the charger was connected, the voltage at the battery terminals did not change, it became obvious that the charger was not working. The flashlight was used until the battery was completely discharged, and then it was not used for a long time, which led to a deep discharge of the battery.


    It remains to check the health of the LEDs and other elements. To do this, it was necessary to remove the reflector, for which six screws were unscrewed. On the printed circuit board there were only three LEDs, a chip (microcircuit) in the form of a droplet, a transistor and a diode.


    From the board and the battery, five wires went into the handle. In order to understand their connection, it was necessary to disassemble it. To do this, use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the two screws inside the flashlight, which were located next to the hole into which the wires went.


    To detach the handle of the flashlight from its body, it must be moved away from the fastening screws. This must be done carefully so as not to tear off the wires from the board.


    As it turned out, there were no electronic elements in the pen. Two white wires were soldered to the terminals of the on / off button of the flashlight, and the rest to the connector for connecting the charger. A red wire was soldered to pin 1 of the connector (conditional numbering), which was soldered with the second end to the plus input printed circuit board... A blue and white conductor was soldered to the second contact, which was soldered to the negative side of the printed circuit board with the second end. A green wire was soldered to pin 3, the other end of which was soldered to the negative terminal of the battery.

    Electrical circuit diagram

    Having dealt with the wires hidden in the pen, you can draw an electrical schematic diagram of the Photon lantern.


    From the negative terminal of the GB1 battery, the voltage is supplied to terminal 3 of connector X1 and then from its terminal 2 through a blue-white conductor to the printed circuit board.

    Connector X1 is designed in such a way that when the plug of the charger is not inserted into it, pins 2 and 3 are connected to each other. When the plug is inserted, pins 2 and 3 are disconnected. Thus, automatic disconnection of the electronic part of the circuit from the charger is provided, which excludes the possibility of accidental switching on of the flashlight while charging the battery.

    From the positive terminal of the GB1 battery, the voltage is applied to D1 (microcircuit-chip) and the emitter of the S8550 bipolar transistor. The CHIP performs only the function of a trigger that allows the button to turn on or off the EL LEDs (⌀8 mm, white color, power 0.5 W, consumption current 100 mA, voltage drop 3 V.) without latching. When the S1 button is pressed for the first time from the D1 microcircuit, a positive voltage is supplied to the base of the Q1 transistor, it opens and the supply voltage is supplied to the EL1-EL3 LEDs, the flashlight turns on. When the S1 button is pressed again, the transistor closes and the flashlight turns off.

    From a technical point of view, such a circuit design is illiterate, since it increases the cost of the flashlight, reduces its reliability, and in addition, due to the voltage drop across the junction of the transistor Q1, up to 20% of the battery capacity is lost. Such a circuit solution is justified if it is possible to adjust the brightness of the light beam. In this model, instead of a button, it was enough to put mechanical switch.

    It was surprising that the EL1-EL3 LEDs in the circuit are connected in parallel to the battery like incandescent bulbs, without current-limiting elements. As a result, when switched on, a current flows through the LEDs, the value of which is limited only by the internal resistance of the battery, and when it is fully charged, the current can exceed the permissible value for the LEDs, which will lead to their failure.

    Checking the functionality of the electrical circuit

    To check the operability of the microcircuit, transistor and LEDs from an external power source with a current limiting function, a DC voltage of 4.4 V was applied, observing the polarity, directly to the power pins of the printed circuit board. The current limiting value was set to 0.5 A.

    After pressing the power button, the LEDs lit up. After pressing again, they went out. The LEDs and the microcircuit with the transistor turned out to be in good order. It remains to deal with the battery and charger.

    Recovery of an acid battery

    Since the 1.7 A acid battery was completely discharged, and the standard charger was faulty, I decided to charge it from a stationary power supply. When connecting the battery for charging to a power supply with a set voltage of 9 V, the charging current was less than 1 mA. The voltage was increased, up to 30 V - the current increased to 5 mA, and after an hour under this voltage it was already 44 mA. Further, the voltage was reduced to 12 V, the current dropped to 7 mA. After 12 hours of charging the battery at a voltage of 12 V, the current rose to 100 mA, with this current the battery was charged for 15 hours.

    The temperature of the battery case was within normal limits, which indicated that the charging current was used not to generate heat, but to store energy. After charging the battery and finalizing the circuit, which will be discussed below, tests were carried out. The flashlight with the recovered battery illuminated continuously for 16 hours, after which the beam brightness began to fall and therefore it was turned off.

    Using the method described above, I had to repeatedly restore the performance of deeply discharged small-sized acid batteries. As practice has shown, only serviceable batteries, which have been forgotten for a while, can be restored. Acid batteries that have exhausted their resource cannot be restored.

    Charger repair

    Measurement of the voltage value with a multimeter at the contacts of the output connector of the charger showed its absence.

    Judging by the sticker glued to the adapter case, it was a power supply that produced an unstabilized constant voltage of 12 V with a maximum load current of 0.5 A. Was an ordinary power supply used as a charger?

    When the adapter was opened, a characteristic smell of burning electrical wiring appeared, which indicated that the transformer winding had burned out.

    The dialing of the primary winding of the transformer showed that it was open. After cutting the first layer of the tape that insulates the primary winding of the transformer, a thermal fuse was found, designed for a response temperature of 130 ° C. Testing showed that both the primary winding and the thermal fuse are defective.

    Repairing the adapter was not economically feasible, since it was necessary to rewind the primary winding of the transformer and install a new thermal fuse. I replaced it with a similar one, which was at hand, for a DC voltage of 9 V. A flexible cord with a connector had to be re-soldered from a burnt-out adapter.


    The photo shows a drawing of the electrical circuit of the burned-out power supply unit (adapter) of the Photon LED flashlight. The replacement adapter was assembled according to the same scheme, only with an output voltage of 9 V. This voltage is quite enough to provide the required battery charging current with a voltage of 4.4 V.

    For fun, I connected the flashlight to a new power supply and measured the charging current. Its value was 620 mA, and this is at a voltage of 9 V. At a voltage of 12 V, the current was about 900 mA, significantly exceeding the load capacity of the adapter and the recommended charging current for the battery. For this reason, the primary winding of the transformer burned out from overheating.

    Finalization of the electrical circuit diagram
    LED rechargeable flashlight "Photon"

    To eliminate circuitry violations in order to ensure reliable and long-term operation, changes were made to the lantern circuit and the printed circuit board was revised.


    The photo shows the electrical schematic diagram of the converted LED flashlight "Photon". In blue, additionally installed radio elements are shown. Resistor R2 limits the battery charge current to 120 mA. To increase the charging current, you need to reduce the value of the resistor. Resistors R3-R5 limit and equalize the current flowing through the LEDs EL1-EL3 when the lamp is on. The EL4 LED with a series-connected current-limiting resistor R1 is installed to indicate the battery charging process, since the developers of the flashlight design did not take care of this.

    To install current-limiting resistors on the board, the printed paths were cut, as shown in the photo. The charge current limiting resistor R2 was soldered at one end to the contact pad, to which the positive wire coming from the charger was previously soldered, and the soldered wire was soldered to the second terminal of the resistor. An additional wire (yellow in the photo) was soldered to the same contact pad, designed to connect the battery charging indicator.


    Resistor R1 and LED indicator EL4 were placed in the handle of the flashlight, next to the charger connector X1. The LED anode pin was soldered to pin 1 of the X1 connector, and to the second pin, the LED cathode, a current-limiting resistor R1. A wire (yellow in the photo) was soldered to the second terminal of the resistor, connecting it to the terminal of the resistor R2, soldered to the printed circuit board. Resistor R2, for ease of installation, could be placed in the handle of the flashlight, but since it heats up during charging, I decided to place it in a freer space.

    When finalizing the circuit, MLT resistors with a power of 0.25 W were used, except for R2, which is designed for 0.5 W. EL4 LED is suitable for any type and color of light.


    This photo shows the charging indicator while charging the battery. The installation of the indicator made it possible not only to monitor the battery charging process, but also to monitor the presence of voltage in the network, the health of the power supply and the reliability of its connection.

    How to replace a burnt out CHIP

    If suddenly the CHIP - a specialized microcircuit without marking in the Photon LED flashlight, or similar, assembled according to a similar scheme, fails, then to restore the flashlight's performance it can be successfully replaced with a mechanical switch.


    To do this, you need to remove the D1 microcircuit from the board, and instead of the Q1 transistor key, connect an ordinary mechanical switch, as shown in the above electrical diagram. The switch on the body of the lantern can be installed in place of the S1 button or in any other suitable place.

    Repair with modernization
    LED Flashlight Keyang KY-9914

    A visitor to the site Marat Purliev from Ashgabat shared in a letter the results of the repair of the Keyang KY-9914 LED flashlight. In addition, he submitted a photo, diagrams, a detailed description and agreed to publish the information, for which I express my gratitude to him.

    Thank you for the article "DIY repair and modernization of LED lamps Lentel, Foton, Smartbuy Colorado and RED".


    Using the examples of repairs, I repaired and upgraded the Keyang KY-9914 flashlight, in which four of the seven LEDs burned out and the battery was worn out. The LEDs burned out due to switching the switch while charging the battery.


    In the revised wiring diagram, the changes are highlighted in red. I replaced the faulty acid battery with three used Sanyo Ni-NH 2700 AA rechargeable batteries connected in series, which were at hand.

    After reworking the flashlight, the current consumption of the LEDs in two switch positions was 14 and 28 mA, and the battery charging current was 50 mA.

    Repair and alteration of LED flashlight
    14Led Smartbuy Colorado

    The Smartbuy Colorado LED flashlight stopped turning on, although three AAA batteries were installed new.


    The waterproof housing was made of anodized aluminum alloy and had a length of 12 cm. The flashlight looked stylish and was easy to use.

    How to check the batteries in the LED flashlight for suitability

    The repair of any electrical appliance begins with checking the power source, therefore, despite the fact that new batteries were installed in the lantern, repairs should begin with checking them. In a Smartbuy lantern, batteries are installed in a special container, in which they are connected in series using jumpers. In order to access the flashlight batteries, you need to disassemble by rotating the back cover counterclockwise.


    Insert batteries into the container observing the polarity indicated on it. The polarity is also marked on the container, so it must be inserted into the body of the lantern with the side marked with the "+" sign.

    First of all, it is necessary to visually check all the contacts of the container. If there are traces of oxides on them, then the contacts must be cleaned to a shine with sandpaper or scrape off the oxide with a knife blade. To prevent re-oxidation of the contacts, they can be lubricated with a thin layer of any machine oil.

    Next, you need to check the suitability of the batteries. To do this, touching the probes of the multimeter, which is included in the DC voltage measurement mode, it is necessary to measure the voltage at the contacts of the container. Three batteries are connected in series and each of them should provide a voltage of 1.5 V, therefore the voltage at the terminals of the container should be 4.5 V.

    If the voltage is less than the specified one, then it is necessary to check the correct polarity of the batteries in the container and measure the voltage of each of them individually. Perhaps only one of them sat down.

    If everything is in order with the batteries, then you need to insert, observing the polarity, the container into the body of the lantern, screw the lid and check it for operability. In this case, one should pay attention to the spring in the cover, through which the supply voltage is transmitted to the lamp housing and from it directly to the LEDs. There should be no traces of corrosion on its end.

    How to check the health of the switch

    If the batteries are good and the contacts are clean, but the LEDs are off, then you need to check the switch.

    The Smartbuy Colorado has a push-button sealed switch with two fixed positions, a short wire from the positive terminal of the battery container. When the switch button is pressed for the first time, its contacts are closed, and when the switch is pressed again, they open.

    Since batteries are installed in the lantern, you can also check the switch using a multimeter included in the voltmeter mode. To do this, turn it counterclockwise, looking at the LEDs, unscrew its front part and set it aside. Then, with one probe of the multimeter, touch the body of the flashlight, and with the second touch the contact, which is in the depth in the center plastic part shown in the photograph.

    The voltmeter should show a voltage of 4.5 V. If there is no voltage, press the switch button. If it is working properly, then the voltage will appear. Otherwise, the switch must be repaired.

    Checking the health of the LEDs

    If in the previous steps of the search it was not possible to find a malfunction, then at the next stage you need to check the reliability of the contacts supplying the supply voltage to the board with LEDs, the reliability of their soldering and serviceability.

    The printed circuit board with the LEDs sealed into it is fixed in the head of the flashlight with a steel spring-loaded ring, through which the supply voltage from the negative terminal of the battery container is simultaneously supplied to the LEDs along the body of the flashlight. In the photo, the ring is shown from the side with which it presses the printed circuit board.


    The retaining ring is fixed quite tightly, and it was possible to remove it only with the help of the device shown in the photo. Such a hook can be bent out of a steel strip with your own hands.

    After removing the retaining ring, the printed circuit board with LEDs, which is shown in the photo, was easily removed from the head of the lantern. The absence of current-limiting resistors immediately struck, all 14 LEDs were connected in parallel and through a switch directly to the batteries. Connecting LEDs directly to a battery is unacceptable, since the amount of current flowing through the LEDs is limited only by the internal resistance of the batteries and can damage the LEDs. In the best case, it will greatly shorten their service life.

    Since all the LEDs in the lantern were connected in parallel, it was not possible to check them with a multimeter included in the resistance measurement mode. Therefore, a DC supply voltage of 4.5 V was applied to the PCB from an external source with a current limitation to 200 mA. All LEDs lit up. It became obvious that the flashlight malfunction was a poor contact of the printed circuit board with the retaining ring.

    LED lamp current consumption

    For interest, I measured the current consumption by LEDs from batteries when they were turned on without a current-limiting resistor.

    The current was over 627 mA. The flashlight has LEDs of the HL-508H type, the operating current of which should not exceed 20 mA. 14 LEDs are connected in parallel, therefore, the total consumption current should not exceed 280 mA. Thus, the current flowing through the LEDs has more than doubled the rated current.

    Such a forced operation of LEDs is unacceptable, as it leads to overheating of the crystal, and as a result, premature failure of the LEDs. An additional disadvantage is that the batteries drain quickly. They will be enough, if the LEDs do not burn out earlier, for no more than an hour of operation.


    The design of the flashlight did not allow soldering current-limiting resistors in series with each LED, so I had to install one common one for all LEDs. The resistor value had to be determined experimentally. For this, the flashlight was powered from standard batteries and an ammeter was connected in series with a 5.1 ohm resistor in the positive wire break. The current was about 200 mA. When installing an 8.2 Ohm resistor, the current consumption was 160 mA, which, as the test showed, is quite enough for good lighting at a distance of at least 5 meters. The resistor did not heat up to the touch, so any power will do.

    Alteration of the structure

    After the study, it became obvious that for reliable and durable operation of the flashlight, it is necessary to additionally install a current-limiting resistor and duplicate the connection of the printed circuit board with LEDs and a fixing ring with an additional conductor.

    If earlier it was necessary that the negative bus of the printed circuit board touched the body of the lantern, then in connection with the installation of the resistor, it was necessary to exclude the touch. For this, a corner was ground off from the printed circuit board along its entire circumference, from the side of the current-carrying paths with the help of a file.

    To prevent the pressure ring from touching the current-carrying tracks when fixing the printed circuit board, four rubber insulators with a thickness of about two millimeters were glued to it with Moment glue, as shown in the photograph. Insulators can be made from any dielectric material such as plastic or thick cardboard.

    The resistor was previously soldered to the clamping ring, and a piece of wire was soldered to the extreme track of the PCB. An insulating tube was put on the conductor, and then the wire was soldered to the second terminal of the resistor.



    After a simple DIY upgrade of the flashlight, it began to turn on stably and the light beam illuminated objects well at a distance of more than eight meters. Additionally, the battery life has more than tripled, and the reliability of the LEDs has increased dramatically.

    Analysis of the reasons for the failure of repaired Chinese LED lights showed that they all failed due to illiterately designed electrical circuits. It remains only to find out whether this was done on purpose in order to save on components and reduce the life of the flashlights (so that new ones would be bought more), or as a result of the developers' ignorance. I am leaning towards the first assumption.

    Repair of LED lamp RED 110

    A flashlight with a built-in acid battery from a Chinese manufacturer of the RED trademark got into repair. The lantern had two emitters: - with a beam in the form of a narrow beam and emitting diffused light.


    The photo shows the appearance of the RED 110 flashlight. I liked the flashlight right away. Convenient body shape, two modes of operation, loop for suspension on the neck, retractable plug for charging. In the lantern, the section of LEDs for the scattered light was shining, but not for the narrow beam.


    For repairs, the black ring was first unscrewed, fixing the reflector, and then one self-tapping screw was unscrewed in the loop area. The body easily split into two halves. All parts were fixed on self-tapping screws and were easily removed.

    The charger circuit was made according to the classical scheme. From the network, through a current-limiting capacitor with a capacity of 1 μF, the voltage was supplied to a rectifier bridge of four diodes and then to the battery terminals. The voltage from the battery to the LED of the narrow beam was supplied through a current-limiting resistor of 460 Ohm.

    All parts were mounted on a single sided PCB. The wires were soldered directly to the pads. The appearance of the printed circuit board is shown in the photo.


    10 side light LEDs were connected in parallel. The supply voltage was supplied to them through a common current-limiting resistor 3R3 (3.3 Ohm), although, according to the rules, a separate resistor must be installed for each LED.

    An external examination of the LED with a narrow beam of defects was not found. When power was applied through the flashlight switch from the battery, the voltage at the terminals of the LED was present, and it heated up. It became obvious that the crystal was broken, and this was confirmed by a dialing test with a multimeter. The resistance was 46 Ohm for any connection of the probes to the LED terminals. The LED was defective and needed to be replaced.

    For the convenience of work, the wires were soldered from the LED board. After freeing the leads of the LED from the solder, it turned out that the LED is firmly held by the entire plane of the reverse side on the printed circuit board. For his department, it was necessary to fix the board in the table temples. Next, install the sharp end of the knife at the junction of the LED with the board and lightly hit the knife handle with a hammer. The LED bounced off.

    As usual, there was no marking on the LED case. Therefore, it was necessary to determine its parameters and select a suitable one for replacement. Based on the overall dimensions of the LED, the battery voltage and the size of the current-limiting resistor, it was determined that a 1 W LED (current 350 mA, voltage drop 3 V) is suitable for replacement. White LED6000Am1W-A120 was selected for repair from the "Reference Table of Popular SMD LED Parameters".

    The printed circuit board on which the LED is installed is made of aluminum and at the same time serves to remove heat from the LED. Therefore, when installing it, it is necessary to ensure good thermal contact due to the tight fit of the back plane of the LED to the printed circuit board. To do this, before sealing, thermal paste was applied to the contact points of the surfaces, which is used when installing a radiator on a computer processor.

    In order to ensure a snug fit of the LED plane to the board, you must first put it on a plane and bend the leads slightly upward so that they recede from the plane by 0.5 mm. Next, tin the conclusions with solder, apply thermal paste and install the LED on the board. Then press it to the board (it is convenient to do this with a screwdriver with the bat removed) and warm up the leads with a soldering iron. Next, remove the screwdriver, press it with a knife at the bend of the output to the board and warm it up with a soldering iron. After the solder has hardened, remove the knife. Due to the spring properties of the pins, the LED will be tightly pressed against the board.

    When installing the LED, the polarity must be observed. True, in this case, if a mistake is made, then it will be possible to swap the supply wires. The LED is soldered and you can check its operation and measure the current consumption and voltage drop.

    The current flowing through the LED was 250 mA, the voltage drop was 3.2 V. Hence the power consumption (you need to multiply the current by the voltage) was 0.8 W. It was possible to increase the operating current of the LED by reducing the resistance of 460 Ohms, but I did not do this, since the brightness of the glow was sufficient. But the LED will work in a lighter mode, heat up less and increase the operating time of the flashlight from one charge.


    Checking the heating of an LED that has been in operation for an hour has shown effective heat dissipation. He heated up to a temperature of no more than 45 ° C. Sea trials showed a sufficient illumination range in the dark, more than 30 meters.

    Replacing the acid battery in the LED flashlight

    An acid battery that has failed in an LED flashlight can be replaced with a similar acid battery, lithium-ion (Li-ion) or nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries of AA or AAA size.

    In the repaired Chinese lanterns, lead-acid AGM batteries of various dimensions without marking with a voltage of 3.6 V were installed. According to the calculation, the capacity of these batteries is from 1.2 to 2 A × hours.

    On sale you can find a similar acid battery from a Russian manufacturer for the 4V 1Ah Delta DT 401 UPS, which has an output voltage of 4 V at a capacity of 1 A × hour, costing a couple of dollars. For replacement, it is quite simple, observing the polarity, to re-solder the two wires.

    After several years of operation, the Lentel GL01 LED flashlight, the repair of which is described at the beginning of the article, was again brought to me for repair. Diagnostics showed that the acid battery has worn out.


    A Delta DT 401 battery was purchased to replace, but it turned out that its geometric dimensions were larger than the faulty one. The standard flashlight battery had dimensions of 21 × 30 × 54 mm and was 10 mm higher. I had to modify the body of the flashlight. Therefore, before buying a new battery, make sure that it fits into the body of the flashlight.


    The stop in the case was removed and a part of the printed circuit board was cut off with a hacksaw for metal, from which the resistor and one LED were previously soldered.


    After the revision, the new battery was well installed in the body of the flashlight and now, I hope, it will serve for more than one year.

    Replacing the acid battery
    AA or AAA batteries

    If it is not possible to purchase a 4V 1Ah Delta DT 401 battery, then it can be successfully replaced with any three AA or AAA finger batteries with a capacity of 1 A × hour or more, which have a voltage of 1.2 V. connect three batteries in series, observing the polarity, by soldering wires. However, economically, such a replacement is impractical, since the cost of three high-quality AA batteries can exceed the cost of buying a new LED flashlight.

    But where is the guarantee that there are no errors in the electrical circuit of the new LED flashlight, and you will not have to modify it either. Therefore, I believe that replacing the lead-acid battery in the modified flashlight is advisable, as it will ensure reliable operation of the flashlight for several more years. And it will always be pleasant to use a flashlight, repaired and modernized with your own hands.

    Flashlights are used for different purposes: in everyday life, construction, travel. Their main characteristics are impact resistance, moisture resistance, luminescence range and directionality of the light beam.

    LED flashlights are easy to turn on and carry in your hands. They shine brightly enough, have a high power. For the case, plastic or metal is used.

    Plastic flashlights are lightweight, metal - they are not afraid of moisture, dust and shock. Models are equipped with a wrist strap, can focus beams by lengthening or bringing them closer.

    Working principle of LED flashlight:

    • An LED consists of semiconductors that convert the incoming current into light. The current is directed only from the anode to the cathode, a pn junction is created.

    Electrons meet holes and lose their energy, from which photons are formed. It is necessary that several semiconductors with different types of conductivity interact with each other.

    • A hole is a place in the crystal lattice, after exposure to which electrons move from the upper atomic shells, and a positive charge is formed.

    Electrons move to a positive charge, and holes to a negative charge. The free space between them is filled with electrons.

    • Electrons and holes by diffusion penetrate through the layer formed in the semiconductor between the regions of different conductivity. This is necessary for the concentration of the same number of electrons and holes on both sides of the layer.

    In this case, the voltage on the intermediate layer increases. After the recombination of holes and electrons, the barrier in the p-n junction decreases, and light energy is released.

    Types of lanterns

    • Handheld full-size flashlights are used in cases where the high power of the device is important for a long time, and its dimensions do not matter. Models are designed for constant holding in hands, easy to transport.
    • Hand-held compact flashlights used to illuminate the road or look for small objects in the dark. These devices will help out in unexpected situations, so they should be portable and comfortable for everyday wear.
    • Lights on the forehead allow you to work with your hands in places with poor lighting. Lighting range - up to 30 meters. Often such devices are equipped with a function to select the best mode at a specific location at a specific time.

    Headlamps are used by hunters, tourists, motorists, cyclists, builders, doctors.

    • Tourist lanterns- resistant to mechanical stress, moisture resistant, practical and compact devices. Most models use both batteries and rechargeable batteries as a power source.
    • Dynamo lights- portable devices that work without batteries; to activate the mechanism, rotate the charging handle for some time.

    Such a device does not pollute the environment, it can be used to recharge the phone.

    • Diving lights have high water resistance, the function of changing the color rendition of the luminous flux. They have a high brightness of light, allow you to illuminate objects that are at long distances.

    Most models are equipped with a mode switching function.

    • Laser lights- devices, structurally close to search engines, equipped with a robust case. As a rule, such models work at low temperature conditions, have a sealed and reliable metal alloy housing.

    Among the advantages of such devices: small size, shock resistance, several batteries included, the presence of a remote control panel.

    • Keychains- compact devices that are worn in a keychain; used for simple tasks, their functionality and brightness are lower than that of hand-held devices.
    • Flashlights-shocker- not only a personal lamp, but also effective remedy self-defense. They shock painfully even through thick down jackets.

    They are characterized by durability, stable metal casing, which is not subject to mechanical damage. Such devices are installed high prices.

    • - devices used in conjunction with a weapon mount. The main function is to illuminate the target in low light. The lighting range is within 50 meters.

    Among the technical characteristics - a narrow angle of illumination, small dimensions and power of the device. The metal body of the instruments provides thorough protection against water. Additional properties: remote control, switching modes.

    • - hand-held devices with high brightness and range. The instruments have a large battery compartment. Lighting range - up to 250 meters.

    Equipped with the function of changing the angle of illumination, switching modes, with an average power. The metal body is durable, water resistant.

    By type of food stand out:

    • Battery powered flashlights. Rechargeable from the mains, the power source is a nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid or lithium-ion battery.
    • Battery operated flashlights. Such devices are lighter, do not require recharging the device.

    Lantern characteristics

    Among the characteristics of flashlights stand out:

    • sizes;
    • luminous flux brightness;
    • light source power (LED models);
    • working hours;
    • number of operating modes;
    • resistance to external influences (moisture, frost resistance);
    • digital current stabilization;
    • availability of additional accessories.

    Light flow(brightness of an LED flashlight) - a value that is measured in lumens.

    Even diffused illumination with low brightness can be obtained in an LED flashlight with the same amount of lumens, long-range flashlights provide narrow and bright beams.

    The lighting range of the flashlights is from 60 to 150 meters. Portable models can illuminate a space up to 15 meters away.

    LED Models:

    • conventional DIP LEDs,
    • SMD LEDs,
    • COB technologies,
    • floodlight LEDs,
    • RGB LEDs,
    • LED strips.

    DIP LEDs consist of two metal legs, a transparent plastic case with a small lens inside; structures are easy to install and use, provide good protection against environmental influences, practically do not emit heat.

    SMD LEDs are flat, without legs, they have current supplied to the terminals that are located on the back of the LED; have good indicators of brightness and light output.

    COB LEDs provide fast light scattering, floodlight LEDs are high power devices.

    RGB LEDs are equipped with a color control function. LED Strip Light has high brightness and energy efficiency.

    The maximum operating time of the flashlight is indicated as an average value and depends on the mode of operation and the capacity of the battery. This time can be calculated in minutes, hours and days.

    Flashlight body material:

    • aluminum,
    • plastic,
    • polymer.

    The bodies of aluminum lamps are quite strong and have a cylindrical shape. Powder coating protects metal from corrosion. Anodized luminaires are not subject to mechanical damage.

    There are many polymer and plastic housings available. Polymer materials elastic, not afraid of blows.

    Flashlights length, as a rule, does not exceed 84 cm. This indicator depends on the functionality of the device. Compact handheld models up to 15.5 cm long are used for household needs.

    The lanterns weigh from 100 grams to 1 kilogram.

    The kit may include:

    • flashlight;
    • spare sealing rings;
    • lanyard;
    • branded model card;
    • case;
    • factory packaging;
    • Charger;
    • warranty card;
    • user guide.

    Among the accessories used:

    • covers for batteries;
    • mounts for flashlights;
    • silicone grease for rubber surfaces;
    • diffusion caps, red backlight filters;
    • additional buildings;
    • metal clips for fastening;
    • hand straps;
    • overlay for the button in the tail of the lamp.

    Features of hand-held flashlights:

    • high power of devices;
    • easy to transport;
    • used in construction and in everyday life;
    • portable and comfortable for everyday wear.
    • good lighting range;
    • allow you to work in places with low light;
    • wide scope of use.

    Features of travel lamps:

    • moisture resistance;
    • resistance to mechanical stress;
    • practical and mobile devices.

    Dynamo Lights Features:

    • portability and compactness;
    • run on batteries;
    • do not pollute the environment.

    • good level of waterproofing;
    • high level of light brightness;

    Features of laser lights:

    • have a solid body;
    • work in low temperature conditions;
    • are small in size;
    • have high impact resistance.

    Features of flashlights-shocker:

    • effective means of self-defense;
    • have a durable metal body;
    • are not subject to mechanical damage;
    • there is a high price for such devices.

    • highlight the target in low light;
    • used in conjunction with a weapon mount;
    • have a high illumination range;
    • small dimensions.

    Features of search lights:

    • have a high luminescence brightness;
    • have good illumination range;
    • with remote control function;
    • equipped with a mode switching function.

    Pluses of types of lanterns

    Pros of hand torches:

    • convenient and compact;
    • suitable for individual use;
    • easy to transport;
    • have high power.

    Advantages of headlamps:

    • comfortable and practical;
    • allow you to free your hands;
    • you can choose a suitable operating mode;
    • wide range of uses.

    • equipped with the function of switching modes;
    • resistant to mechanical stress;
    • moisture resistant;
    • practical and compact devices;
    • have a high radiation intensity.

    Dynamo lights advantages:

    • work without batteries;
    • do not pollute the environment;
    • used in places with no natural light.

    Pros of diving lights:

    • high impermeability;
    • the function of changing the color rendering of the luminous flux;
    • good illumination at long distances.

    Pros of laser lights:

    • equipped with a solid structure;
    • frost-resistant models;
    • small size;
    • high impact resistance.

    • compact and easy-to-use devices;
    • lungs.
    • used for self-defense;
    • have a solid body;
    • not subject to mechanical damage.

    Benefits of tactical flashlights:

    • target illumination in low light;
    • high luminescence range;
    • good power of devices;
    • remote control function.

    Pros of search lights:

    • high brightness;
    • good luminescence range;
    • the presence of the function of changing the angle of illumination;
    • switching modes.

    Cons of types of lights

    Cons of hand-held full-size fixtures:

    • heavy and weighty;
    • designed for constant holding in the hands.

    Disadvantages of handheld flashlights:

    • not suitable for stationary use;
    • designed for constant holding in the hands;
    • technical characteristics are low.

    • unidirectionality of the light stream;
    • slipping off the flashlight with a loose mount.

    Disadvantages of flashlights-shocker:

    • high price;
    • weighty design.

    • low technical characteristics;
    • poor color rendering and low light intensity.

    Disadvantages of laser lights:

    • heavy structures;
    • high price.

    • low technical characteristics;
    • illuminate a small area;
    • they are easy to lose.

    Disadvantages of tactical flashlights:

    • high price;
    • the light is directed to one target.

    • large dimensions;
    • heavy structures.

    How to choose a lantern

    • First you need to decide on the purpose of the lantern. If you need it for your home or summer cottage, a flashlight with an accumulation of D-format alkaline batteries will suffice. For camping trips, opt for LED lights.
    • Depending on what you need a lantern for, we determine the required size of the lamp. Handheld pocket devices that will be used in everyday life should be light and compact so that they are easy and convenient to carry with you.

    For construction, you should choose lamps that work permanently.

    • When selecting devices, consider the conditions in which you will have to work, hunt, and travel.

    For underwater sports, you will need models with a moisture-resistant case; in low temperatures, devices with a special frost-resistant coating are used.

    • Pay attention to the luminous flux. It is not recommended to buy models with too bright light for giving and household purposes, because with each lumen the amount of energy required for the operation of the device also increases.

    For such needs, a flashlight of 10-30 lumens is enough. Cyclists, hunters use lamps of 100 lumens.

    • An important criterion when choosing is the glow time. Choose models with a brightness of 40 lumens from one AA-battery for four hours.

    Compact flashlights powered by a micro-finger battery provide 12 lumens of glow for 20 hours.

    • The temperature of the light should be as natural as possible.
    • Choose models equipped with multiple modes. The brightness of the flashlight must adjust to different conditions environment... This will allow you to decrease and increase the brightness on different sections of the route, to adjust the brightness of the light flux.
    • If you are going to use the flashlight often, settle for devices that run on AA or AAA batteries. Rechargeable models are suitable for household needs.

    • If there are rubber sealing rings on the thread of the luminaire, it means that the housing of the device is moisture resistant. To prevent the flashlight from slipping out of your gloves or wet hands, choose mechanisms with a notch on the body.
    • The best case finish is anodized (Type II or Type III). Consider the complete set of the luminaire. Special diffusers are used to diffuse light in different directions, transforming point light into flood light.
    • When choosing a rechargeable flashlight, check how you charge it.

    The most common charger that is designed for a household network with a voltage of 220 V, some types of flashlights are charged from a car cigarette lighter with a voltage of 12 V, there are models that can be charged from a USB port.

    • Buy luminaires from the professional series that are reliable, durable and economical. Such devices are equipped with a solid structure and are well equipped.

    Best flashlights:

    • have a solid construction;
    • work at low and high temperature conditions;
    • moisture and frost resistant;
    • easily portable;
    • portable and compact;
    • have a beautiful appearance.

    • Store the flashlight in a cool and dry place where you can reach it when the power goes out.
    • Batteries should be replaced regularly, even if they have not been used for a long time.
    • It is advisable to have a flashlight in your home and car in case of emergencies. It is recommended to store additional batteries with the device for replacement.

    • It is not recommended to store flashlights in high temperature conditions, as a result of which the batteries may leak.
    • To avoid overheating the flashlight, do not use it for a long time at maximum operating mode.
    • If you are holding a flashlight and your palm starts to sweat, then you should switch to a gentle mode of operation. It is recommended to replace the thermal grease in the head of the flashlight every 2 years.
    • Before use, check if all parts of the flashlight are tightened tightly. Worn silicone gaskets must be free from defects.

    • As impact-resistant as the flashlight is, be careful not to drop it on the floor as this will damage the lens and internal electronics.
    • If the parts of the luminaire body become tightly twisted, lubricate the rubber rings with silicone oil. When lubricating, it is not recommended to touch the threads due to the rapid accumulation of dirt.
    • If there are spots of the light beam on the lens, wipe the reflector of the flashlight. If it does not turn on, you will need to replace the battery, wipe the threaded elements with cotton swabs and be sure to check the contacts.

    • Children can only use the flashlight under strict adult supervision.
    • It is impossible to direct the light beam directly into the eyes, this leads to a deterioration in vision.
    • Make sure that water and other liquids do not come into contact with batteries or internal parts of the flashlight.
    • Damaged batteries must not be used.
    • Do not leave the device unattended in maximum operating mode.

    • Do not repair the flashlight yourself, it is better to contact a specialist.
    • Modifications to the luminaire are strictly prohibited.
    • Regardless of the functionality of the device, use the devices only for their intended purpose.
    • Be careful with lithium-ion batteries, they can catch fire or explode if short-circuited by high temperatures.

    Warranty service for flashlights is provided for a period of 1 to 5 years, depending on the brand and type of product. To do this, you need a warranty card or a purchase receipt.

    The warranty will not be provided under the following conditions:

    • the product has been used for other purposes;
    • the rules for the operation of mechanisms are violated;
    • low-quality batteries were used;
    • the battery has leaked;
    • there are traces of mechanical damage on the body of the device.

    LED Flashlight Repair:

    • Does not turn on or flickers during operation. One solution is to screw the threaded elements. Check the battery, it may be out of order. To do this, unscrew the back cover of the flashlight and close the case.
    • If the problem is with the modular button, insert round nose pliers or fine scissors into the holes and turn clockwise.
    • Check how tightly the LED module fits inside the case; loose attachment is quite common. To correct this, use round nose pliers or pliers to turn the module clockwise until it stops.

    You should be extremely careful, otherwise you can damage the LED.

    • If the lamp gives off a dim light, most likely the problem is in the breakdown of the driver - the system that controls the lamp modes and is responsible for supplying voltage. To fix this problem, solder the burned-out driver, replace it with a new one.
    • To check the operation of the LED, apply a voltage of 4.2 V to the contact pads of the LED. If it does not light up well, replace it with a new element.

    Lantern manufacturers

    The products are made of high-class materials, with priority given to Japanese and American ones. The lineup is wide, so everyone will choose a flashlight for themselves for any need: fishing, tourism, hunting, everyday use.

    Most of the company's LED lights have the following technical characteristics:

    • indication of temperature and charge level;
    • automatic switch to lower brightness mode;
    • automatic protection against reverse polarity and chaotic switching on;
    • signal modes (strobe, SOS, beacon).

    The assortment includes goods for tourism, hunting and fishing, diving, extreme sports.

    Bosch

    The group of German companies is a major manufacturer of industrial and household appliances... In assortment wide choose products:

    Products include flashlights, chargers, miniature power cells and batteries for.

    The company cooperates with Swiss, Indonesian, American, Chinese firms. The products are supplied to more than 60 countries of the world, have advanced technical properties, and are improved every year.

    The pricing policy corresponds to the quality of the goods.

    ERA

    Founded in 1983 under the leadership of TRW for the aftermarket. Today, the brand is the leader in the electrical and electronic auto parts industry.

    The company is engaged in the production of spare parts identical to the original parts at an acceptable cost.

    Today the brand is engaged in the development of sensors, generators, ignition coils, starter traction relays and drives, detectors. The company has developed more than 10 product lines, the main ones in the auto parts market.

    Fenix

    The Chinese company is engaged in the production of premium flashlights for hunting, hiking, fishing, prospecting. The products are distinguished by their power, reliable fastening and ease of use.

    The wide range is represented by powerful search models, camping lanterns, everyday lamps and a variety of accessories.

    Fenix ​​products guarantee:

    • durable ergonomic instrument case;
    • high and low beam function;
    • optimal indicator of power and operating time;
    • original design and reliable fastening.

    The company uses innovative technologies, an acceptable ratio of quality and pricing policy.

    Founded in 1993, a company that specializes in the development and distribution of electrical household appliances. The assortment includes lamps, batteries, flashlights, seasonal electrical goods.

    The dealer network numbers 400 dealers from 110 cities of Russia, deliveries of goods are carried out to Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan.

    Popular German company... With the help of advanced technologies and high-quality materials, the specialists managed to achieve the maximum concentration of the light beam. Products are represented by underbarrel, search, headlamps.

    The company's products have the following characteristics:

    • tightness;
    • ergonomics;
    • advanced focusing system.

    The company is engaged in the production of hand and pocket flashlights. The company's products are not afraid of shocks, water, dirt. Maglite flashlights are used by police officers, security guards, rescuers, doctors and firefighters.

    The products are strictly certified and distributed in Western Europe, Asia and Africa. The price matches the quality.

    German manufacturer of power tools, construction equipment, metalworking tools and garden tools. The company has branches in more than 100 countries around the world.

    The company has a huge selection of goods for equipment and construction works... The company has a 3-year product warranty. The batteries are of the latest generation.

    The company that produces LED lights has been owned by SYSMAX Corporation since 2007. The company's products are suitable for campers, tourists, climbers, cyclists, hunters.

    The products are represented by a wide range of models and high-quality accessories. Flashlights are guaranteed for 60 months. Acceptable ratio of price policy and quality of goods.

    Petzl

    The French company develops special equipment for mountaineers, rock climbers and spaleologists. Recently, the company has been producing:

    • equipment used for high-altitude work;
    • headlamps of general and special type;
    • equipment used for rescue operations.

    The products comply with European and international standards, safety regulations.

    Trofi

    The Russian company is engaged in the production of products for tourism and outdoor activities. The assortment includes alkaline and salt batteries, lithium cells, watch batteries, accumulators, different types lanterns (headlights, camping, searchlights).

    Uniel

    Russian company engaged in the production of lighting and electrical products. The dealer network of the firm covers Russia, Germany, France, Hungary, Slovakia, Belarus, Ukraine.

    The assortment includes electrical engineering, lighting equipment for industrial and individual needs.

    Products are represented by light sources, lamps, decorative lighting, stabilizers, climatic equipment. The goods comply with modern technological and legal standards, are strictly certified.

    The price corresponds to the quality of the product.

    Russian trademark focuses on the production of portable power supplies at an acceptable cost. The company produces high-quality flashlights that are used in various conditions.

    Customers are actively involved in testing and improving products. The prices correspond to the quality of the goods.



    A flashlight will come in handy in a variety of situations: to light up during a power outage, to search for things that have fallen under the bed, to study small details or inspect plumbing fixtures. It is difficult to imagine many types of outdoor activities without this device, for example, it is indispensable for night fishing or cycling at night. You can buy a professional flashlight or a simple model for household needs on Aliexpress. To find the ideal option, you must take into account the following technical characteristics:

    • light source (incandescent lamp, LED);
    • number of diodes (for LED flashlights);
    • power and brightness;
    • lighting range;
    • the presence of an ultraviolet (UV) mode;
    • maximum operating time;
    • power supply (rechargeable or runs on batteries);
    • protection from moisture and dust;
    • additional functions;
    • equipment.

    Of course, you need to pay attention to user reviews. Ordinary people will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the model in simple words, their opinion is worth listening to. The selection contains the best flashlights from Aliexpress, which were appreciated by both experts and average buyers.

    Best handheld compact flashlights

    Flashlights from this category are the most common type on Aliexpress. They represent the perfect balance between functionality and size. Most often, manual models are bought for daily household needs, however, due to their small size and light weight, they are also suitable for outings.

    5 POCKETMAN 9LED

    Best UV Flashlight
    Price for Aliexpress: from 126 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.6

    The miniature (8.8 * 2.5 * 2.5 cm) model from POCKETMAN fits easily into your pocket and is easy to carry. The case is shockproof, it is made of aluminum, the lens is plastic. There are 9 LEDs inside the device, providing bright ultraviolet light. It is quite enough for working with small details, the manifestation of invisible inscriptions and drawings. The illumination range here is quite modest - no more than 50 m, the light beam is scattered. More is not necessary, given the specifics of UV rays and the lack of standard white backlighting.

    The device requires 3 AAA batteries, they are not included in the package. Provided that the batteries are replaced in a timely manner, the service life reaches 10,000 hours, according to the manufacturers. On the downside, some users complained about a stuck button. Also in the reviews they note that the flashlight does not illuminate amber, it is more suitable for paper.

    4 YAGE YG-337C

    The most convenient battery charging system
    Price for Aliexpress: from 678 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.7

    Unlike most flashlights from Aliexpress, YAGE does not run on batteries, but on a lithium-ion battery. Moreover, the charging system is implemented very conveniently: the kit includes a USB cable, thanks to which the flashlight can be powered even from a laptop or a power bank. A fully charged battery lasts for almost an hour of continuous operation, there is an indicator showing the charge level. The rest of the characteristics can hardly be called outstanding, although they are quite enough for use in everyday life: q5 LED, 5 lighting modes, the beam range reaches 500 meters, the brightness is 1000 lumens.

    Unfortunately, the manufacturer decided to save on materials: the lens of the flashlight is plastic, the body itself is made of aluminum alloy. Among the shortcomings in the reviews, they note the absence of an elastic band under the lens and an unusual connector for the charger, which makes it impossible to use cables that are not included in the kit.

    3 Convoy S2 +

    High build quality
    Price on Aliexpress: from 1021 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.8

    Convoy fully justifies the amount spent: high-quality materials were used for its manufacture, the soldering is neat, there is no backlash anywhere. When assembled, everything looks like the head of the flashlight is inseparable from its main part, although in fact the device is easily disassembled. The diode is located in the center - this is a rarity for flashlights with Aliexpress, in which it often "runs out". The lens has an interesting coating with a tint that changes depending on the light. The flashlight is powered by a lithium-ion battery.

    The unexpressed hot spot makes the Convoy great for hiking and cycling in the dark. An additional advantage is the memory function: the device remembers in which mode it worked before it was turned off, and next time it turns on with exactly the same settings. The model has one drawback: when operating at maximum power, the rechargeable flashlight heats up and quickly spends charging.

    2 Enjoydeal SGAA145A-d

    The most compact. The beam width can be adjusted
    Price for Aliexpress: from 132 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.9

    Enjoydeal received a place in the rating for its compactness: the dimensions of the flashlight are only 9.3 * 2.5 * 2 cm. Its maximum brightness is only 2000 lumens, and the range does not exceed 200 meters, but this is quite enough for everyday use. There is only one mode here, but the beam of light is adjustable: the beam can be narrow or diffuse. The body of the flashlight is of high quality, it is made of metal. The surface is waterproof to withstand rain or showers, but it is best not to put the entire device in water. The clip is tough and holds tight, the button is rubber and soft.

    The device is powered by one finger-type battery, it is not included in the package. The only drawback of Enjoydeal is that the compartment is too wide, the battery in it simply dangles. It is difficult to call this a serious drawback, since it does not affect the operation of the SGAA145A-d in any way. Some users complain about the build quality, but for the price it is difficult to find a better option.

    1 Alonefire G700

    Best brightness among handheld torches
    Price for Aliexpress: from 372 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.9

    A handheld flashlight from Alonefire has become popular with customers because of its brightness: 3800 lumens allows you to create an almost daylight in the room. The beam range reaching up to 500 meters also distinguishes the G700 from similar products from Aliexpress. The body of the flashlight is made of high-quality aluminum alloy, so it turned out to be quite weighty, despite small size(13.8cm folded). The device is powered by three AAA batteries, you can insert a rechargeable battery instead, but it is not included in the kit.

    The flashlight has five modes of operation: strong, medium, weak, flashing and SOS. Reviews for the G700 are mostly positive, only occasionally there are complaints about a small defect in the form of a backlash of the light beam adjustment unit or an offset diode. Owners of large hands note that the cord here is quite narrow, because of it it will be difficult to carry the flashlight on the wrist.

    Best headlamps

    Flashlights from this category are worn on the head using special straps or elastic bands. The capabilities of the head-mounted models are practically the same as those of the hand-held ones, with one exception: the mounting method allows you to free your hands and keep the light beam directed towards the person's gaze. Thanks to this, it will be possible to organize the lighting exactly where it is needed, without having to constantly hold the flashlight in your hand.

    5 Eshoo 3LED Headlamp

    Most a budget option... Attaches to the headdress
    Price for Aliexpress: from 73 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.6

    The Eshoo flashlight is not a headlamp in the traditional sense of the word. But thanks to the clip, the device can be easily attached to any headdress so that it illuminates the way. Hands remain free, and there is no need to adjust the bandage for a long time or experience discomfort due to the weight of the device. Lamp rotates 90 °, clamp 360 °. The assortment of the seller on Aliexpress includes products in black, white and yellow.

    The flashlight works continuously for up to 5 hours, it is powered by two batteries included in the kit. The dimensions of the 3LED Headlamp are simply ridiculous - 4 * 2.9 * 2.5 mm, there are 3 LEDs inside the bulb. Their brightness is low, only 45 lumens, but this is quite enough for a late bike ride or night fishing. Some users have complained in reviews that the batteries are not working. This is because the seller puts a protective film between them. It will need to be removed before using the flashlight.

    4 BORUiT RJ-3000

    There is an ultraviolet mode
    Price on Aliexpress: from 1017 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.7

    The main feature of BORUiT RJ-3000 is the presence of UV illumination (wavelength - 395 nm). It has three lighting modes: high white, low white, and ultraviolet. The body of the model is water-resistant, some parts are made of aluminum alloy. The headband is elastic and can be easily adjusted to fit different sizes. The bulbs can be rotated 90 °, this allows you to direct the beam in the desired direction.

    The flashlight is powered by two batteries (1200 and 2200 mAh), it will take about 7-8 hours to fully charge. The manufacturers promise the device will last up to 100,000 hours. There is different variants complete set: with charger for home and car, with and without batteries. The reviews note the good build quality and complete package. The only drawback is that you cannot use both white and ultraviolet illumination at the same time. In most cases, this is not required, so the disadvantage can be considered insignificant.

    3 TRLIFE BL254

    Maximum brightness - 40,000 lumens
    Price for Aliexpress: from 670 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.7

    This headlamp consists of five compartments, each with 8,000 lumens of brightness. All parts are made of plastic without adding metal, so the flashlight is light enough. It weighs 280 g, the dimensions of the device together with all the bulbs are 83 * 37 * 58 mm. The power of the model is 30 W, the beam is directed at an angle of 180 °. The lighting range reaches 150 m, there are four modes. The 500mAh Li-ion battery will provide you with stable performance for several hours.

    At the time of ordering, you can choose one of three body colors - gold, red or silver. For the convenience of users, the seller offers sets with different configurations: with and without zoom, in a gift box, with a car charger. The only drawback of TRLIFE BL254 is that the same button is used to turn on, select a mode and turn off the device. Because of this, you have to go through all the options manually each time.

    2 Tooniu T001

    The best lens. RoHS, FCC and CE quality certifications
    Price for Aliexpress: from 396 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.8

    Reliable and user-friendly, Tooniu has several advantages over its competitors. Firstly, instead of ordinary glass, a real lens is installed here. Secondly, a special mechanism for focusing the light flux is built into the device. And the last argument in favor of the model - thanks to good heat dissipation, the probability of overheating is minimized. Tooniu T001 has an impressive list of supporting documents: in addition to the standard PRC quality certificate, it has RoHS, FCC and CE (European Certificate of Conformity).

    The power of the head-mounted device is 10 W, the brightness is adjustable in the range of 3500-5000 lumens. The average illumination distance is 350 m, the maximum one is up to 0.5 km. The manufacturer provides protection against moisture and dust, but the flashlight will not withstand direct immersion in water. Some buyers faced a defect: the batteries did not reach the contacts, they had to insert copper balls of wire.

    1 Mixxar CZK20

    The lightest and most comfortable. There is a motion sensor
    Price on Aliexpress: from 528 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.9

    Due to its small parameters, rectangular shape and low weight, the Mixxar perfectly adheres to the head. Convenience is also facilitated by a wide and elastic elastic band, which is adjustable in length and holds tight. The flashlight has three modes of operation: bright, weak and flashing. A motion sensor is built into the body of the device, which allows you to turn it on and off without directly pressing the button - just wave your hand in front of your face. For this to work, the distance between the CZK20 and the fingers should not exceed 15 cm.

    Mixxar is a rechargeable device that is powered from the mains via a micro-USB cable, so you can use a regular smartphone charger if necessary. The flashlight is powerful enough (30 W), it shines brightly, it lasts a long time without recharging. The reviews note the waterproof and durable body of the device: it can withstand even rain and frost. Buyers consider the only drawback to be weak light diffusion.

    Best Camping Lanterns

    This category includes special lanterns used for circular illumination of a tent, campground, construction site and other similar objects. Their characteristic features are diffused light and a wide beam, allowing you to illuminate the entire room at once. Such models are usually rechargeable, because ordinary batteries will not be able to provide long battery life. In appearance, the devices often resemble lamps or lamps, but there are also flashlights with a classic design on Aliexpress.

    5 BRIGHTINWD PY-5300

    Most powerful battery
    Price on Aliexpress: from 1779 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.6

    The brightness of BRIGHTINWD PY-5300 is 500 lumens, the beam range reaches 30 m. There are 3 bright modes and 2 flashing ones, you can also turn on a weak blue backlight to turn the lantern into a real camping night light. It is noteworthy that this flashlight is also suitable for charging mobile devices. A sturdy carrying case is included so that the flashlight will not be damaged even during long journeys. Thanks to the strap and carabiner, it can be fastened anywhere.

    The exact capacity of the battery is not known, but it lasts for several days intermittently, according to reviews. Maximum continuous operation time is approx. 5 hours in bright mode. The disadvantages of users include the fact that the body of the device is made of plastic. The upper is not too rigid, it flexes under pressure. Also, there is no full protection against moisture. It will withstand small drops of rain, but direct contact with water can cause damage.

    4 NICRON N7

    Lighting at an angle of 90 °. Magnetic surface
    Price on Aliexpress: from 1026 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.7

    This LED light is not only suitable for camping, but also for other purposes. It looks solid thanks to the original shape and weighty aluminum alloy body. The flashlight works even in extreme conditions- in rain and snow, at temperatures from -20 to 50 °. But its main feature is that the body is made in the shape of the letter "L", the upper part can be rotated 90 °. The magnetic handle provides a firm grip on any surface, the device will stick even to the ceiling. There is also a clip for easy attachment.

    There are three standard modes here, like other models with Aliexpress: bright, economical, strobe and SOS signal. Illumination brightness - 600 lm, beam distance reaches 126 m. At maximum settings, NICRON N7 will work for two hours. If you choose the option with batteries instead of a powerful lithium-ion battery, all specifications are halved.

    3 Enjoydeal SGAA380A

    Can work as a power bank
    Price for Aliexpress: from 415 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.8

    The Enjoydeal flashlight has one special feature: it can work as an external battery. Of course, the capacity of such an unusual power bank is not very large, only 1800 mAh, but the opportunity to recharge your phone on a hike will never be superfluous. If you use the flashlight only for its intended purpose, the lithium battery will last for 6 hours of continuous operation. During charging, the indicator flashes green, during operation, it constantly glows red.

    Enjoydeal is not as bright as other models in this category, but its 300 lumens is enough for lighting a small tent. The dimensions of the flashlight are miniature: the height of the plastic case reaches 5 cm, the diameter is 69 mm. The device operates in three modes: bright, dim and pulsating (SOS signal). You can hang it not only by the hook, but also with the help of a magnet, it is very convenient. There were no complaints about the build quality in the reviews, except that the plugs are not closed tightly enough.

    2 Eletorot WY6666

    Best price. Different body colors
    Price on Aliexpress: from 83 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.9

    Eletorot conquered buyers with its low price: LED flashlights costing less than 150 rubles are rare even on Aliexpress. At the same time, the quality of WY6666 is almost as good as expensive models... The lamp runs on three little finger batteries, there are three lighting modes (strong, dim and flashing), the button is made of rubber. In a tent or on outdoors the lantern is suspended by a hook. Its dimensions are 11.5 * 5 * 5.2 cm, the device weighs only 38 g.

    The plastic housing can be yellow, red, blue or green. The light is white, clear, without yellowness or blueness. There is no protection against moisture and dust, so it is best not to use the flashlight in the rain. The device is not suitable if you need to illuminate a large area, because its brightness is only 600 lumens with a maximum range of 100 meters. In such cases, users recommend buying several pieces at once, especially since the price allows it.

    1 E-SMARTER B-YD4-MD01

    The smallest model. Works folded
    Price for Aliexpress: from 406 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 5.0

    The E-SMARTER LED demonstrates in one way that it was designed for comfortable camping. Thanks to the original design, it does not take up much space: when folded, the height of the device is only 5 cm, when unfolded, it is 13 cm, the diameter of the flashlight does not exceed 8.5 cm. The plastic from which the body is made is light and durable, the assembly is quite high-quality. A ring handle is located on top, with which you can easily fix it in a tent or on a tree branch.

    The E-SMARTER has three modes: bright, muted and flashing. It works even when folded and can be used as a hand-held flashlight, but you should not expect high brightness and illumination range from it. The device is powered by three AA batteries, so you will have to take a few spare pieces for rest. But for many, this is more convenient than charging the battery while camping. B-YD4-MD01 - best ratio prices and quality among budget options.

    The best underwater flashlights with Aliexpress

    An underwater flashlight is one of the most essential things for diving. When choosing such a model, you need to take into account the water resistance, the materials from which the case is made, the presence or absence of sealing rubber bands. Not only the device itself should be waterproof, but also the attachments for it (cord, clips, headband). For diving in the sea, it is better to use an LED flashlight with a cold light, for river water, a warm yellow light is also suitable.

    5 Paweinuo EHQ001C1

    The best option for spearfishing
    Price for Aliexpress: from 818 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.6

    Paweinuo EHQ001C1 looks stylish and expensive, it shines brighter than similar models in this price range. The body of the flashlight is quite heavy, it is made of aluminum. The power button is rubber, it moves smoothly and slowly, does not dangle. The brightness level can be adjusted on the toggle switch, which is very convenient. The capacity of the powerful lithium battery is 5000 mAh, which is enough for 3-4 hours under water.

    Includes replacement seals, strap and charger. The assortment also includes sets with different mounts and batteries. Some users wrote in reviews that they had problems with the charger - it burst or broke after a few days of use. The seller did not leave comments about this significant disadvantage of the model.

    4 Yupard 45

    Underwater headlamp with bright band
    Price for Aliexpress: from 616 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.7

    The LED model from Yupard will help you free your hands when diving or spearfishing. The headlamp is securely attached to the head thanks to the elastic band, it will not fly off while swimming. The device is made of aluminum alloy and plastic and weighs 124g, so it is almost imperceptible during use. The glass is waterproof and can be easily washed or brushed. O-rings and case included.

    Yupard is powered by three AA batteries, but there are also rechargeable models. The seller provides a choice of options with different power sources and light (white or yellow). Each model has three lighting modes - strobe, low or high brightness. The disadvantages of users include a rather flimsy design of the part with a light bulb, because of this it is difficult to change the angle of inclination. But with careful use and regular lubrication, the device should last a very long time.

    3 TRLIFE FL0002

    Maximum immersion depth
    Price on Aliexpress: from 1256 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.8

    This model has excellent technical characteristics: the brightness reaches 10,000 lm, the maximum immersion depth is up to 200 m.The light is warm enough, yellowish, its temperature is about 4500 K. The flashlight does not heat up during operation, so it is ideal for use under water and on surface. The device weighs only 270 g, it is convenient to swim or climb with it. Choose from rechargeable model or battery operated device.

    The surface of the case is treated with a special material to avoid oxidation. It is made of aircraft grade aluminum alloy, the surface is smooth enough but non-slip. According to the description on Aliexpress, the flashlight should last up to 100,000 hours. Charger not suitable for European outlet, you will have to buy an adapter. The disadvantages include the fact that the flashlight has only a bright operating mode, there is no way to turn on a weak or flashing backlight.

    2 BRETT C11 / C15 / C24

    The most complete set. Three colors - red, blue and white
    Price on Aliexpress: from 2842 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.9

    This model has LEDs in three colors - blue (455 nm), white and red (620 nm). Thanks to this, you can turn on not only standard but also UV illumination. The beam is evenly scattered, the device operates at a depth of 80 m. The maximum power is 300 W. The device weighs almost 0.5 kg, but its weight is hardly felt under water. The flashlight fits comfortably in the hand thanks to the ergonomic handle, the operation is intuitive. Kit includes rubber seals, metal handle, ball and grease.

    The seller did not name the exact brightness, but users agreed that it reaches 6000 lumens. The device works up to 70 minutes at maximum brightness, then the light begins to gradually dim for half an hour. The disadvantages include the fact that the flashlight gets very hot. Because of this, it cannot be used on land, only under water.

    1 Yupard 5

    The best ratio of price and quality
    Price on Aliexpress: from 1167 rubles.
    Rating (2019): 4.9

    Yupard is a popular manufacturer of underwater lights on Aliexpress. There are different models in the assortment of this store, but the most convenient of them are hand-held flashlights. They are lightweight and compact, have the maximum set of functions compared to other types. The power of the device is 10 W, the brightness is 1200 lumens, it can be adjusted. The light here is white, perfect for deep diving in clear water. There are exactly the same models on the site, but with yellow illumination, the beam range of each of them reaches 500 m. You can choose one of five modes of operation: strong, medium, flashing or low illumination, there is also an SOS signal.

    The case is shockproof and waterproof, it is made of aluminum. All connections are rubberized, the kit includes spare seals. The device operates at a depth of up to 30 meters and is powered by two batteries. They will have to be purchased separately, and this is the Yupard's only drawback.

    A lantern is an irreplaceable thing not only in the household, but also on vacation, fishing, hunting, when repairing a car and much more. Conventional devices, which must be held in the hand, are inconvenient to use, since they significantly limit the capabilities of a person. Therefore, it is worth buying a convenient headlamp, the bright beam of which will always be directed to the desired point.

    There are many types of such devices on the market today, the most popular of which are rechargeable LED headlights. They are distinguished by their long service life and low cost. Often, these lights can work in stroboscope mode, thanks to which, when lost in the forest, you can signal your location to friends. Diode headbands shine with a brighter beam, which will be clearly visible at a great distance.

    To decide how to choose a headlamp, you need to pay attention to the characteristics, which we will consider in more detail.

    Headlamp Features

    To get the best headlamp, please check the following device parameters before purchasing:

    Brightness

    This parameter is responsible for how well objects will be illuminated, located far enough from the light source. The choice of a headlamp should be based on the purpose for which you need it. If you buy a forehead for repair or, for example, in order to read books, then choose a model with a lower brightness, which will be enough to shine at a distance of 1-2 meters.

    If the product is needed for a hike or evening fishing, the climatic conditions must be taken into account. In case of rain or fog, more will be required, so in this case it is worth giving preference to the models with the greatest brightness.

    The number of LEDs is responsible for the brightness. Models with 1 red diode and several white LEDs of different powers are considered the best. These headbands switch to different modes, depending on weather conditions.

    Lighting range

    Headlamps must have at least two lighting range modes:

    • Filling - in order to illuminate the entire camp with diffused light.
    • Narrowly - for a distant object.

    Also pay attention to the luminous flux. With an indicator of 65 lumens, you can easily see everything that happens at a distance of up to 50 meters. If you prefer night fishing, you will need a more "serious" device with 180 lumens or more.

    Battery life

    The operating time of the best headlamps depends on the mode of the lighting device. If you choose a red and white LED headband that works in multiple modes, then you can significantly save battery life. Red light does not require a lot of power and can be used to read or find things in the closet. The white diode gives a more powerful light beam, therefore it will consume the charge faster.

    The convenience of use

    The headlamp should be equipped not only with a horizontal elastic band for fastening, but also with a vertical one. Thus, the product will adhere well to the head and will not slip off at the most inconvenient moment.

    The weight of the headlamp depends on the number of LEDs and the battery in the product. To choose the most convenient device, try it on in the store and estimate how long you can wear it on your head.

    If you are looking for a compact flashlight, then choose a fixture with the smallest number of LEDs.

    Water resistance

    Those who choose a headlamp for fishing should definitely pay attention to this parameter.

    The IP marking indicates the degree of protection of the mechanical and electronic components of the product against dirt and water. If instead of these letters, X is indicated, then the flashlight can easily fail at the slightest contact with moisture.

    If the headlamp has a mixed marking, for example, IPX4, then this means that the product is not protected from dust, but has class 4 water resistance (it can withstand splashes, but will fail when immersed in water).

    Tightness and impact resistance

    Hunting and fishing headlamps should be the most sealed, as these are the most vulnerable to dust, dirt and shock.

    The usual forehead is a reflector with diodes, placed in a case with a battery. The case of budget models is most often made of low quality plastic. Such lights quickly fail after the first unsuccessful landing. If you are looking for a reliable headlamp, look for more expensive items in a sealed aluminum case.

    The degree of protection against mechanical influences is indicated by the letters IK, followed by numbers indicating the height (in meters) from which the product can fall without any damage.

    Having decided how to choose the most powerful headlamp that is resistant to moisture and mechanical damage, it remains to decide with the manufacturer. Consider the most popular models of foreheads.

    The best headlamp models

    On request, headlamps, in the search you can find a lot of offers. The cheapest Chinese models will cost from 300 rubles, but such devices will not last long. Therefore, we will not consider headlamps with aliexpress in detail. Let's immediately move on to higher quality products costing from 2,000 to 6,000 rubles.

    Led lenser

    The products of this manufacturer are very popular with fishermen and tourists. The product line includes a variety of models that are suitable for any purpose. You can choose a Led Lenser headlamp based on the following parameters:

    ModelBeam distance, mDuration of work, h
    H7 180 140 85
    H7R 200 150 75
    H7.2 250 160 75
    H7R.2 300 160 60
    H14.2 350 260 60

    Products of this brand are distinguished by gold-plated electrical contacts that are not subject to corrosion, thanks to which the devices are rightfully considered to be extremely reliable. The headbands work in several modes (diffuse and focused beams).

    These lamps cost from 2,000 to 4,500 rubles.

    Zebralight

    The Zebralight headlamp is also available in several versions depending on the brightness of the LEDs. Also, the Zebralight models are distinguished by good water resistance.

    ModelMaximum light output, lumenWaterproof index
    H302 480 IPX7
    H302W 446 IPX7
    H502L2 278 IPX7
    H502DL2 190 IPX7
    H600FW MK II 970 IPX7

    The headlamps are equipped with Cree and Philips LUXEON LEDs. The cost of products ranges from 4,000 to 8,000 rubles.

    Boruit

    The Boruit headlamp is also suitable for both domestic use and outdoor recreation. The best models of this brand are:

    ModelBrightness, lumenLighting distance, mDuration of work, h
    SH-G020 300 100 4
    HL 721 1400 1000 9
    HL 723 1800 1000 9
    HL 722 1600 1000 9
    RJ 3000 1800 1200 8,5

    We should also note the characteristics of the Boruit RJ 3000 headlamp, in addition to the main mode, it also works as a stroboscope. In this case, the brightness of the device increases to 6000 lumens. Today, such a "strong" headband can be purchased from 700 to 1,500 rubles. The cost depends on the configuration, seller and delivery conditions (free shipping or with payment). Agree, this is more than a democratic price for a powerful and reliable gadget.

    The waterproof body of the products is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, making this brand's flashlights the strongest and most durable.

    In addition to the lights described above, you should also pay attention to the Phoenix products - these are also high-quality and reliable headbands that will serve well for any purpose.

    In custody

    If we consider the models of lanterns from considerations of "price / quality", then the best products of this type are Boruit HL 721, 722 and RJ 3000 headlamps. lighting fixture can always come in handy.

    Before you buy an LED flashlight, you should pay attention to its operating time. You will understand why this is so important after reading the article. What is opening time? Working hours- this is the period of time from the moment the flashlight is turned on until the brightness decreases to a level of 10% in the set mode. To put it simply, the battery life indicates how long a flashlight can operate on one set of batteries.

    Long uptime is highly appreciated by users for many reasons. For example, fishermen choose flashlights with long run times because they don't want to change batteries while fishing. In general, high quality and carefully designed lights will last longer than conventional lights.

    Runtime Measurement Standard

    Compared to conventional flashlights, LED flashlights can shine a long distance for a long time and consume less battery power. However, there is still no universal system for informing users of these differences. Therefore, a team of LED and incandescent lamp manufacturers have created standards that have been approved by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and the American Standards Institute.

    The ANSI FL1 standard is widely known. The use of this standard by manufacturers is optional. But because consumers compare the lights before making a purchase decision, manufacturers test their lights against ANSI FL1 standards and display ANSI characters on packages.

    In general, the ANSI FL1 standard describes brightness, range, light intensity, run time, water resistance and shock resistance. Each parameter has its own unique symbol. For example, a clock symbol is used to indicate operating hours; it can be used to determine the number of minutes or hours during which the flashlight can operate on one set of batteries. The operating time is measured from the moment the flashlight is turned on, until the brightness decreases to 10% in the set mode.

    What does the working time depend on?

    There are many factors that affect the operating time of the flashlight.

    The more batteries a flashlight has, the longer it can work. Large batteries always provide more power for long-term performance.

    Do not confuse the operating time with the service life of the flashlight. The lifespan of the flashlight indicates how long the LED bulb can last. For example, an LED light bulb can work 50,000 hours on one set of lights.

    If you are in the woods or are in a critical situation, the last thing you want is for your flashlight to start blinking or fading.

    Therefore, when buying a flashlight, it is very important to pay attention to the operating time.

    Armytek flashlights have the longest operating time.

    Our goal is to provide you with the most innovative, high-quality and high-tech products, so that you are always one step ahead. In some Lanterns Armytek uses a double electric circuit. This means that if the main circuit breaks down, the flashlight will be able to work for 130 days on the spare circuit, which will allow it to survive in an emergency. Be visible and stay safe with Firefly technology!

    Some models of lanterns Armytek Pro have a Firefly mode with a luminous flux 0.2 lumens, working time during 100 days on one 18650 Li-ion battery.