I have three of these and they don't last long before they shut off. I did notice that some that I had left overnight without charging worked OK the next day. I saw mention of a protective circuit in the batteries and I got to wondering about that. I wonder if they automatically shut off when they get too warm. Thoughts?
HF Braun Slim LED Worklight
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Torque Test Channel
Well-known member
They cut into low mode when hot, but dont shut off.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I purchased better batteries for them as spares so when it dies I can just swap in another battery and keep working.
quality batteries and improve heatsink with thermal paste and good lights for the cost, current production on/off button seems weakest link assuming you don't drop it a lot .
They lasted pretty well in my auto shop in daily use . not as tough as the pro options but it also was fraction of the price making it almost disposable cost in pro use .
Expensive ones get lost just as easy and dislike getting crushed and driven over much the same .
Is a lot of other sources for these style lights, you don't have go HF .
They lasted pretty well in my auto shop in daily use . not as tough as the pro options but it also was fraction of the price making it almost disposable cost in pro use .
Expensive ones get lost just as easy and dislike getting crushed and driven over much the same .
Is a lot of other sources for these style lights, you don't have go HF .
bwringer
Well-known member
I have a separate USB 18650 cell charger and some better 18650 batteries I swap in.
The charger was pretty inexpensive, but seems to do a more thorough and faster job of charging than the circuit built into the light.
I currently have two of these... I killed one when it got drenched in antifreeze. I accidentally crushed the tip of one, leaving the tip LED dangling. A blob of hot snot glue and it's functional but looks disgusting. As many have said, these things are a hell of a deal and extremely tough and functional for the money.
The charger was pretty inexpensive, but seems to do a more thorough and faster job of charging than the circuit built into the light.
I currently have two of these... I killed one when it got drenched in antifreeze. I accidentally crushed the tip of one, leaving the tip LED dangling. A blob of hot snot glue and it's functional but looks disgusting. As many have said, these things are a hell of a deal and extremely tough and functional for the money.
This exactly what we done with a bunch of these lights being used by 2 mechanics .
quality 2500 to 3000mah give terrific run times beating any other option at 4 times the cost .
I used 2 for under hood lighting on the road and worked great in use and being easy carry .
you don't care if run them over or loose them and light output is fine even professionally .
button switch and twist/flex joint weakest points, usb port probably issue if not charging offboard .
Great for 19-20 bucks price point .
You can find them unbranded, no cell and no charge port for 12 bucks .
Same. I was also able to use the batteries in another small light I keep in the truck and then find a 3D printer part that allows to use the same batteries in one of the other mini Hf led lights. I need to reprint it though because I forget to allow for heat shrinkage so it’s a little too tight. Still learning all the tiny details on printing projects, lol.
Thanks for the response. Mine don't seem to go into low mode; they just shut off. I had three yesterday that quit working; today they all seem OK without any more charging.
bwringer
Well-known member
I am intrigued. Link?
Well, sorry to say that my second one is having issues. First one had connection issues and would loose power randomly. Second one the switch is going out. Both saw occasional use in a home diy environment.
I'm not too disappointed because they weren't expensive, but I just don't have time to keep replacing them. Milwaukee M12 Rover service light will be next I think.
I'm not too disappointed because they weren't expensive, but I just don't have time to keep replacing them. Milwaukee M12 Rover service light will be next I think.
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
This craftsman looks like the braun.
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
This craftsman looks like the braun. https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Automotive-280-Lumen-LED-Articulating-Work-Light/1003096220
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javyLSU
Well-known member
Practically the same, except it lacks the charging port and the 18650 rechargeable battery - instead it comes with a tube that takes 3 AAA batteries.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
But does it give the same light output?
javyLSU
Well-known member
Don’t know - it says not, but that might be because of the battery. I’ve been tempted to buy one just to try it with an 18650, but I’ve already got too many lights as it is… 
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laser3kw
Well-known member
I have two of these and both had similar problems. I found both times that the baterry holder was "loose". I unscrewed it and checked the batteries / connections and screwed it back on tight and have not had problems since (over 2 years).
I have tried that as well, and while it worked on the first light, this one seems to have an issue with the switch. I have been looking pretty hard at the Milwaukee M12 Rover Service light. While it is a fairly different light, I think I will really like the extended run time and stability.
I think they're pretty fragile. Mine doesn't see much use and it's already having switch issues. I store mine on a plate on the wall or else on a vise. I sometimes think the strength of the magnet is too much slamming for that fragile switch.
bubinga
Well-known member
Older thread I know, but I'm having the same issue. Seems like when I set the magnet down on metal, the light goes out.
Harbor freight is supposed to send me a new one out, but won't be here until after Christmas
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Harbor freight is supposed to send me a new one out, but won't be here until after Christmas
.619DioFan
Well-known member
This happens with two of mine as well. does come back on though, both are old so no warranty. also notice that the batts don't last as long even fully charged so will look into better batts for them. all in all they work for me as a diyer plus I used coupons so the price was right,Older thread I know, but I'm having the same issue. Seems like when I set the magnet down on metal, the light goes out.
Harbor freight is supposed to send me a new one out, but won't be here until after Christmas
bubinga
Well-known member
Yeah, it comes right back on, but it's a major annoyance.
bubinga
Well-known member
Do you have to use a external charger, or can I charge these in the Harbor Freight light?
bubinga
Well-known member
That doesn't have a rechargeable battery though, does it?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.
Edit, no, three triple A.
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bubinga
Well-known member
Anyone have one?
Is it reliable?
bubinga
Well-known member
I have Amazon prime, but I read not to get these batteries from Amazon.
Yeah you need trustworthy source for good quality cells, likely something local to you or something you can harvest branded cells from ...
bubinga
Well-known member
bubinga
Well-known member
Will this one fit out Harbor Freight lights?
Protected 3500mAh 10A 18650 Button Top Battery with UL2054 and CB certs (MJ1 cell inside) - Wholesale Discount
Our LiionWholesale Protected MJ1 is one of the best batteries we offer for high discharge flashlights or other devices that need a high capacity but medium discharge protected battery. Our version is certified to IEC 62133/CB Scheme and UN38.3 so you know it's high quality and safe.
liionwholesale.com
39 LaSalle
Well-known member
I've found that when this happens, you need to tighten the base. I'm guessing that twisting it off surfaces during normal use causes the battery contact point to get loose.Older thread I know, but I'm having the same issue. Seems like when I set the magnet down on metal, the light goes out.
Harbor freight is supposed to send me a new one out, but won't be here until after Christmas
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Yes I purchased my batteries from them for the HF light + a charger and it works great.Will this one fit out Harbor Freight lights?
Protected 3500mAh 10A 18650 Button Top Battery with UL2054 and CB certs (MJ1 cell inside) - Wholesale Discount
Our LiionWholesale Protected MJ1 is one of the best batteries we offer for high discharge flashlights or other devices that need a high capacity but medium discharge protected battery. Our version is certified to IEC 62133/CB Scheme and UN38.3 so you know it's high quality and safe.
joseywales
Well-known member
Which charger did you go with?
bubinga
Well-known member
Thanks,
Ill try that tomorrow.
bubinga
Well-known member
Ok, thanks I just wanted to make sure it would not be too long or anything.
bubinga
Well-known member
I know this thread is a few + years old, but a lot of the HF clones from Amazon are no longer available.
bubinga
Well-known member
Is that a protected battery?It's the batteries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just as I suspected, I replaced the original battery with a new INR 18650 that I got from Amazon and the light works perfectly.
bubinga
Well-known member
Don't appear to sell them anymore.
Bet Menards had a better warranty?
bwringer
Well-known member
Yup. Visit your local vape shop, if you can stand the candy clouds for a few minutes. These guys get seriously fetishistic about their batteries. There are also a couple of reputable websites and fleaBay stores run by vape enthusiasts who carefully inspect and verify authenticity (sorry, I don't have any current links).
Buying from scAmazon or fleaBay will just get you dangerous counterfeits too much of the time.
What you want are "protected" 18650 cells. The cells that come in the lights are a perfectly reasonable inexpensive choice, but you can get a lot more capacity and flexibility for not much money. There's no reason to get the absolute top of the line; the main thing is to have extras on hand so you can quickly swap and keep working.
On the batteries for the HF light, I asked this here a few years ago and the answer was vape shop or Li Ion Wholesale; and definitely not Amazon or Ebay. I bought mine from Li Ion. I think mine are 2300mah, and they are protected. This was a few years ago, but from what I read, the 3000+mah batteries weren't really recommended. That may have changed now.
I personally will not charge the batteries unattended as I don't trust them to not cause a fire. Yes, a one in a million, but still.... This was discussed here a few months ago and there were several people that said they almost had fires, and several said that it couldn't happen. A few weeks after that thread there was an article in a local paper where a guy sleeping was awakened during the night by his smoke alarm. He ran into the living room and saw that it was the Li Ion batteries on fire that he left in a charger. Thanks to the smoke alarm the damage was minimal. But if he wasn't home, or no smoke alarm....
I personally will not charge the batteries unattended as I don't trust them to not cause a fire. Yes, a one in a million, but still.... This was discussed here a few months ago and there were several people that said they almost had fires, and several said that it couldn't happen. A few weeks after that thread there was an article in a local paper where a guy sleeping was awakened during the night by his smoke alarm. He ran into the living room and saw that it was the Li Ion batteries on fire that he left in a charger. Thanks to the smoke alarm the damage was minimal. But if he wasn't home, or no smoke alarm....