Generic Flashlight/Spotlight usage warning(s)

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I have a flashlight that looks a lot like this:

They’re pretty generic, and produced by many manufacturers. My
unit is not Craftsman, and really doesn’t have a manufacturer nam-
e displayed.

Well, the thing has broken. I suspect that my wife’s extended usag-
e in a heated attic, has just overcome its ~two year age.

So, we purchased another generic replacement from Walmart. Du-
ring the process of reviewing accompanying instructions, I came
across this warning:

“Never place the light face down on any surface when lit, chargin-
g or not in use. Never store the light face down on any surface”.

Discovering a sticker on the flashlight, the warning is briefly repe-
ated. “Never place the light face down on any surface when lit, ch-
arging or not in use”.

Looking at the light’s construction, of course I always “placed the
light face down when charging or not in use”. I never knew of the-
se warnings before.

Just out of curiosity, can someone explain why these warnings ins-
truct to never allow the light to rest on its face, when off?

Thanks,

2

This would seem to imply there was some times you could place it face down, but everything seems to be covered so why not “Never place the flashlight face down.”

Other than that I’ve got nothing. I can see why not to do so when lit, as it might over heat. The only thing I can think of is, it’s best not to do so as you can’t then tell if it is lit.

3

Ever accidently turn or leave on a flashlight? It is less noticeable that this has happened if it is placed lens-down on a solid surface.

4

Perhaps, regarding the on detection if face down.

But, now that I know not to face it down, I won’t. I just can’t see the difference, when stored only.

The failing unit was about 2 YO, and I suspect it would still be working fine had my wife not
subjected it to a probable over heat condition. So my warning violation(s) don’t seem to have
been too serious.

Thanks, for your comments.

5

You are right. That’s a good point. I just don’t understand the “no face down” warning.

Thanks

6

If you’re using the flashlight to study an ant and you set it face down, you may kill the ant you’re studying. That would be anti-ant.

7

I notice that some lights come with the warning “Never place light face down when light is on or is still hot from recent use”, so I’m guessing they just wanted something shorter, clearer, and easier to implement.

8

I can’t get the link to work. WAG: if it’s the sort that’s very bright and you can focus the beam, you might melt something or set it on fire.

9

Thanks.

10

Thanks for all the responses. I’ve learned how to treat this flashlight now, after reading
the instructions. But, in all the similar flashlights I’ve owned, I’d always just store the unit
on its face. They always failed eventually, but never seemed prematurely.

11

That is a hot flashlight !!