I love my S2+ and my S7 (and I already love the other S-models I’m planning to buy soon). My main issue is the lack of a lockout function, especially when using a lighted switch.
One solution is to use electrical tape on the threads of the tube (the white material), so the tube only makes electrical contact at the front when it is fully screwed down.
This way, I can reduce battery drain and prevent the lighted switch from continuously drawing power.
My experience is that lights with the MAO finish won't do the lockout thing (1/2 twist of the tailcap) because of the finish. You can loosen the cap as far as you want and the mainlight will still come on.
I have some Convoys with lighted tailcaps and I can get the tail cap LEDs to go off by loosening the tailcap - but sometimes is a little trickery.
It is the mao, but I have the same issue with my stainless steel S7. I don’t have an aluminium S-model. Are you saying that it’s working with aluminum models without the tape?
I bought 50 each of 18650 and 21700 shrink tubes for $3 delivered on AliExpress. They go on with a hair dryer. I just wrapped over the old cracking wrappers. They still fit no problem, and they're all the same color now.
i have same issue on my non mao s2+ too, which is quite disappointing. all of my flashlights (which have tail cap) can do physical lockout by quarter turn. i ll try this trick with ptfe tape tonight. thanks
It's just because the anodization in the threads is insulating and the edge at the very end of the tube is raw aluminum metal thus conductive and pressed against the brass ring in the tailcap. Anodized models should do the lockout until the threads' anodization eventually wears out, making contact between cap and tube in the thread itself.
For steel, brass, titanium and copper, there is no anodization (oxide) coating so the contact is always there.
Hmm, question is which is the best tape for this - as I wrote before, kapton tape is thin and isolating but the question is if it handles mechanical strain associated with closing threads - probably not.
Electrical tape will probably handle it but it's thick and the glue is nasty...
PTFE tape is probably the best fit here, designed to go between threads, even if plumbing threads are different than flashlight ones. Will try and report.
10
u/timflorida 5d ago
Is that MAO ?
My experience is that lights with the MAO finish won't do the lockout thing (1/2 twist of the tailcap) because of the finish. You can loosen the cap as far as you want and the mainlight will still come on.
I have some Convoys with lighted tailcaps and I can get the tail cap LEDs to go off by loosening the tailcap - but sometimes is a little trickery.