Flashlight Basics: Difference between revisions

Current from the batteries is controlled by the power switch. While traditional lights have this on the side, smaller lights usually put the switch on the tail of the light, so that it can be activated by your thumb. A tail clicky, when turned to On, completes a connection between the bottom, negative end of the batteries and the body of the flashlight where the electricity travels up to the head of the flashlight causing a difference in potential that is used to power the light source. Clickies can be "forward" (allowing momentary On when the switch is halfway pressed) or "reverse" (the light does not turn on until the switch clicks into place, but then allows momentary off). Some lights feature electronic switches which work a little differently by sending signals to a microcontroller. There are also twisty switches where you twist the tail or head of the light to complete the electrical connection. Another type of switch used on some Surefire and 4Sevens Maelstrom lights doesn't click at all. If the tailcap is unscrewed the light won't come on, if it is partially tightened you can use the button for momentary on, and if the tail is fully tightened the light stays on. This switch is good for high current uses since the switch is very simple in construction.