HF Braun Slim LED Worklight

[mv213]

Can you recommend a good 18650 standalone charger?


.

I have this one and like it. The same one is available under different brand names. I like that it comes with a 12-volt car adapter for charging on the road.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZONPF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[javyLSU]

I have this one and like it. The same one is available under different brand names. I like that it comes with a 12-volt car adapter for charging on the road.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZONPF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I agree - I use that same charger and its been great.

 

[D45]

Over 3 years old, both my lights are doing great

No charging or battery issues

 

[Big Kev-O]

Which batteries are you guys replacing the HF ones with?

I highly suggest using a Panasonic protected 18650. The protection circuit prevents over discharging and damaging the cell and makes them safer to charge. There are lots of places selling fake panasonic 18650. I buy mine here:

https://www.orbtronic.com/18650-protected-battery-3500mah-lithium-ion

 

[mfewtrail]

*Switch issue alert*

The switch on my Braun light has been acting up the last several weeks. Today it died and wouldn't turn on at all. Checked HF reviews and someone suggested spraying it with contact cleaner (hat tip to Dave in HF reviews). I blasted switch, charge port and battery contact (near switch) with contact cleaner. Switch is working albeit a bit finicky. But better than dead.

Then I tried @mfewtrail's suggestion to rotate the switch. Now the switch is reliably cycling through its settings. I'll put some tape on switch to prevent rotating away from this sweet spot.

Something to try for those with non-functional switches.

I guess while I'm here I'll update that I had to disassemble my light because it started flickering and went out completely while using it a while back. The ground for the circuit board/switch assembly was no longer making contact with the housing. Adding some solder to the wire so it would make good contact w/ the housing again got it fixed up.


Here's a video someone did on disassembling the light by the way.

 

[coljar]

I've had two for a couple years and is my go to when I want a cordless light. My only complaint is the charge doesn't last as long as I would like and they take a while to charge.

 

[dede2897234]

I own 2 of the Braun 63958 390 lumen slim bar worklight. I also own one of the relatively new Braun 56200 3-in-1 quick connect light kit. To the base, there are 3 flashlight attachments: a 320 lumen flashlight; a 421 lumen slim bar; and an 8 lumen flex-shaft.

For 18650 batteries, I purchased (a pack of two) 3400mAh ORBTRONIC (made by Panasonic) Protected Button Top Rechargeable Li-ion 3.7V. From a local battery store, I purchased six-Samsung 2500mAh Button Top Rechargeable High Performance Li-ion 3.7V.

As for chargers, I purchased from the same battery store an UltraFire WF-139 (2-battery capacity) Battery Charger. The second one (bought from Amazon) is the Fenix are-A2 (2-battery capacity) Smart Battery Charger for 21700/18650/16340. The Fenix charges 2-18650 batteries quicker than the UltraFire.

I have used the 2-Braun 63958 for about 2 years without any issues. One of them is in the house that I use constantly for college homework purposes. The other one lives in the garage.

I have used the Braun 56200 a little bit during the last year. I noticed the slight brightness increase in the 56200 during use with the slim bar attachment versus the 63958.

Dave

 

[bwringer]

After much abuse, the charging circuit in one of my lights stopped working. It lights up red, but never sends any electrons into the battery. No big deal; I just have to change out the battery and charge it externally, which is what I normally do anyway.

Also, I managed to crunch the light at the tip on one of my lights pretty badly. Totally my fault, not the light, of course. The LED still works, so I just fixed it into place with a hideous glob of hot snot glue and carried on...



As others have mentioned, the stock battery has a protection circuit, so if you buy extra batteries it's important to get the version with the circuit. These have sort of a line around the battery at the positive end, and a button much like a disposable battery.

18650 batteries come in two types; the ones without the protection circuit are intended for use in gadgets that have the circuit built in (as in most battery packs), and batteries with the circuit are intended for replaceable use. In other words, you cannot use lithium batteries without a protection circuit somewhere.

Unprotected batteries are a wee bit shorter but will work in these lights. The main danger in this usage is that if you install an unprotected battery backwards it could cause a lot of damage very quickly and could start a fire. These things get very "energetic" very quickly if damaged or mismanaged.

 

[Benito]

Not price comparable, but as far as interchangeable batteries, has anyone tried this or any reviews?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...skYNv50ZCFkip5GsTh9Q0CBOdTGpbNrUaApNnEALw_wcB

 

[Spacey_G]

I've had two for a couple years and is my go to when I want a cordless light. My only complaint is the charge doesn't last as long as I would like and they take a while to charge.

Get some of these for ~50% more capacity: https://www.illumn.com/batteries-ch...ah-sanyo-ncr18650ga-protected-button-top.html

 

[stickshift]

Which batteries are you guys replacing the HF ones with?

I got this 4-pack + charger from Walmart. Seems like a decent deal and it solved the issue of running out of light while I'm working on something.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EBL-4-Pack-3000mAh-3-7V-Rechargeable-Batteries-Battery-Charger-for-Li-ion-18650-18500-14500-Replacement-Battery/148568497

 

[Theruse]

I own four. I also bought three for my buddies who helped me rebuild my son's motor. They in turn each bought 2-3 more. Best light I own. The thin wand gets in tight spots. When working under my lift, the magnet is on the lift post and provides great hands free lighting. Well built. Dropped it a few times and it survived my clumsiness. Bought another two recently for each of my kid's cars. I also like the USB recharging so I don't have to keep another individual recharger around.

 

[Theruse]

Coincidentally, yesterday's Today Show had a segment on the 18650 battery and the fact that they have been responsible for many lithium fires. I didn't realize they are not supposed to be charged outside the device and not to be sold individually. Amazon sells them individually and when NBC had a lab test them, 9 out of the ten brands were either fake or of poor quality, despite Amazon's claims that they are tested. So buyer beware of Amazon's claims. If I can find a link to the segment I will post.

 

[Theruse]

Here's the link to the Today Show segment on the 18650 battery.

https://www.today.com/news/loose-lithium-ion-batteries-cause-fire-hazard-being-sold-major-t208884

 

[bwringer]

Yeah, there are a lot of counterfeit 18650 batteries on scAmazon. I wouldn't trust any of them, frankly.

It's best to buy from a trusted source that authenticates their batteries. Several websites have been mentioned earlier in this thread. Places that supply batteries for vaping are usually pretty good; vapers get unreasonably nutso about their battery characteristics.

 

[rlitman]

...Places that supply batteries for vaping are usually pretty good; vapers get unreasonably nutso about their battery characteristics.

Probably cause while a battery blowing up is bad, a battery blowing up in your face is worse.

 

[Spacey_G]

Probably cause while a battery blowing up is bad, a battery blowing up in your face is worse.

There's that, but also the fact that lots of vapes draw huge current. They need unprotected cells that can deliver 20A+. The people who do that are rightfully obsessive about their batteries.

 

[Qualitytools]

Here's the link to the Today Show segment on the 18650 battery.

https://www.today.com/news/loose-lithium-ion-batteries-cause-fire-hazard-being-sold-major-t208884

A great eye opener, thanks for sharing

 

[M635_Guy]

There's that, but also the fact that lots of vapes draw huge current. They need unprotected cells that can deliver 20A+. The people who do that are rightfully obsessive about their batteries.

If you've got to bypass a safety so you can stick 20A+ of battery power in your face, you seriously need to reexamine your habits. Jeebus...

 

[M635_Guy]

I have Milwaukee's hood light, which is 60% brighter and has longer runtime with swappable batteries, but a ton more expensive. I love it, but the Braun should be a pretty compelling package for a lot of people. I have to say that if the magnets are strong enough, I much-prefer HF's attachment vs. the bar-holder Milwaukee uses (at least in concept). It gives me inspiration for a DIY-alternative for mine though...

For $40, grab two or three. Having light coming from different angles probably wouldn't **** either (though I don't have problems with the Milwaukee) and have one charging while you use the other.

 

[Spacey_G]

If you've got to bypass a safety so you can stick 20A+ of battery power in your face, you seriously need to reexamine your habits. Jeebus...

I mean yeah, vaping isn't my thing.

I am into high-powered flashlights that use unprotected cells for the huge current capacity. The cells literally have printed right on them, "DANGER DO NOT USE OUTSIDE OF BATTERY PACK" which is exactly what I do. In reality it's not particularly dangerous as long as you take some basic precautions.

 

[M635_Guy]

I mean yeah, vaping isn't my thing.

I am into high-powered flashlights that use unprotected cells for the huge current capacity. The cells literally have printed right on them, "DANGER DO NOT USE OUTSIDE OF BATTERY PACK" which is exactly what I do. In reality it's not particularly dangerous as long as you take some basic precautions.

I could probably be convinced to have faith in you, but I'd never trust general humanity...

Hell, even actually-smart and/or experienced people get smacked by the "you don't know what you don't know" thing often enough that I don't cut corners on stuff like this. It's just not worth the money to me.

 

[Qualitytools]

With all the praise for this light makes me want to try one out. Please post when they go on sale again. Thanks

 

[unslow1]

With all the praise for this light makes me want to try one out. Please post when they go on sale again. Thanks

Right now I'm pretty sure. I got an email a couple of days ago with a $24.99 coupon for them. Since I got two of these I rarely use anything else.

It's good through 3/9. Google HFQPDB. I don't know if we are allowed to directly post a coupon pic here.

 

[javyLSU]

Saw this while walking through Lowe’s today, selling for $24.99. Look familiar?



It’s physically identical, despite being listed as less lumens than HF says their unit puts out. I’d be willing to bet a large amount of money that the light output is also identical to the HF.

Of note to me was the 2 year warranty that the Craftsman comes with vs. HF’s 90 day warranty.

 

[dede2897234]

Saw this while walking through Lowe’s today, selling for $24.99. Look familiar?



It’s physically identical, despite being listed as less lumens than HF says their unit puts out. I’d be willing to bet a large amount of money that the light output is also identical to the HF.

Of note to me was the 2 year warranty that the Craftsman comes with vs. HF’s 90 day warranty.

Hi javyLSU,

Thanks for posting the Craftsman light. I had no idea it existed! The reason there is a 110 lumen advantage favoring the Braun 63958 slim bar light is because it uses a replaceable 18650 lithium ion battery. I see that your picture show the Craftsman uses 3 AAA batteries.


Dave

 

[javyLSU]

LOL looks like like I lost that wager! Thanks for pointing that out, I hadn’t noticed that.

 

[jgromada]

i have one of the Brauns. That same model. My only complaint is the battery doesn't last as long as i wish

 

[unslow1]

Menard's has them also.

 

[lardy1]

I couldn't bring myself to buy one due to reports of the switches quickly going south and other reliability/durability issues I read about in here. That and I live a long way from Harbor Freight and have zero trust in their products. However, I received one as a Christmas present and I can see why people like them. Quite handy to use.

 

[laser3kw]

The Craftsman does not seem to be rechargeable like the HF unit - and has less lumins.
For $25 I'd go with the HF.
I own two now. I get 3 to 4 hours of light on time before recharge. I though I had "the switch" problem on both (bought 18 months apart). Turned out to be a loose battery cap on the magnet end. Unscrewed and screwed it back on hand tight and it has been good since.

 

[Spacey_G]

Why would Craftsman change the light away from 18650 to 3X AAAs!? I guess it makes it easier for people who just want to buy alkaline at the grocery store, but that is such a huge downgrade.

 

[Larryjones]

Lowes has this light which is rechargable, 400 lumens, magnetic base, and 20 bucks
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Cat-Caterpillar-400-Rechargeable-Work-Light/1000500789

 

[D45]

Lowes has this light which is rechargable, 400 lumens, magnetic base, and 20 bucks
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Cat-Caterpillar-400-Rechargeable-Work-Light/1000500789

The HF light has an adjustable head that can be angled to 180° and the head swivels 180°

 

[malbojah]

Lowes has this light which is rechargable, 400 lumens, magnetic base, and 20 bucks
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Cat-Caterpillar-400-Rechargeable-Work-Light/1000500789

I have that light, and it absolutely ***** in comparison output wise to the HF light. Also the plug in on the base so you can't charge it while attached to the side of a toolbox. ALSO, the magnets (4) are tiny and weaksauce

 

[ehsan]

Why would Craftsman change the light away from 18650 to 3X AAAs!? I guess it makes it easier for people who just want to buy alkaline at the grocery store, but that is such a huge downgrade.

I know I'm a month late.....

One reason is the shipping challenges of products with Lithium batteries in them. Cheaper and easier to ship something with no batteries in it. In addition to the lower BOM cost of the Craftsman version which lets Lowes collect more profit.

 

[Mr_B]

Why would Craftsman change the light away from 18650 to 3X AAAs!? I guess it makes it easier for people who just want to buy alkaline at the grocery store, but that is such a huge downgrade.

Take out the 3 AAA holder and it will take a 18650 cell.
buy a couple decent brand 2500mAh or more cells and a stand alone charger and you got a great light that lasts hours and you simply swap cell when going flat .
You can find these AAA models online under other brands or no brand pretty cheap at times .

 

[Qualitytools]

They just went on sale again this memorial weekend, I just purchased one this evening.

 

[laser3kw]

They just went on sale again this memorial weekend, I just purchased one this evening.

Thanks for the heads up. That will make a lot of people happy!

 

[laser3kw]

$20 ! go get one or 10
HF sale link