Commuting - Blinky lifespan

I've had a single rear blinky since March or so, it's the Performance one that's always on sale for $13. The thing is bright as heck, I'm pretty happy with it.

However, it's "going out"... sometimes it's really dim even with fresh batteries. Squeezing the case or thumping it makes it return to full brightness. It is almost like the batteries aren't making good contact, except I've bent the tabs out so I know they're touching the batteries.

What kind of lifespan do you guys get on your blinkies? Anyone else have this problem?

It has only done it since the weather's been really cold, dunno if that's a factor or just the fact that it's getting old.

Hmmm...mine don't last long. I brake mine for the most part, none of mine has died of old age. I have upgraded to NiteRider taillights.
Super Geek

Try cleaning the battery contacts with the eraser on the end of a pencil.

If you are using Alkaline Batteries and riding below freezing it could be the batteries. Try NiMh rechargeable or Li-Ion.

Do the contact cleaning, both ends of the batteries and all the contacts in the light. Then with a q-tip wipe a little WD-40 on all the contact surfaces. You're probably right the temperature changes will corrode the contacts just a little. You probably can't see the corrosion. Don't put fingerprint grease on any of the contact surfaces.

It may be a combination of both problems.

I took a spill yesterday and wiped one out. That seems to be how they usually perish. I don't think I've ever changed the batteries in one.

If you are using Alkaline Batteries and riding below freezing it could be the batteries. Try NiMh rechargeable or Li-Ion.

LiIon is the worst option. It totally shuts down in cold weather.

However, I believe you probably mean Lithium batteries, which are completely different, non-rechargable batteries, and perform quite well in extreme weather.

NiMH does OK in cold weather,though it does derate somewhat.

NiCad does great in cold weather, but since its capacity is lower than NiMH to start with, it's probably a wash.

However, I believe you probably mean Lithium batteries, which are completely different, non-rechargable batteries, and perform quite well in extreme weather.

BTW, others have suggested Lithium batteries in other threads for blinkies. You can probably find them locally, but if you decide to use them regularly, you might want to pick them up from batteryspace.com-they have 20 packs for $30, and they have an extremely long shelf life (one of their main advantages). $1.50 a cell is way cheaper than what I've found them for locally.

While you're ordering, pick up some CR2032's if that's what your bike computer, LED headlamp, or other stuff takes; they're $1.95 for FIVE. Shipping can be hurtful on small orders, so poke around and see what they've got that you need (they have the cheapest iPod replacement batteries I've ever seen).

They have a lot of interesting bike lighting stuff, including clamps to use flashlights as backup headlights, HID, and other stuff.

No relationship, just a happy customer.

I am using alkaline batteries, but the temp is not always below freezing (yesterday for example was in the low 40's I think). It seems unlikely to me that it's the batteries since all it takes is a little jostling or whatever and it comes to full brightness.

I will try cleaning the contacts, I definitely could have gotten fingerprint grease on those by accident.

Another thing I was thinking of was soldering wires to the contacts, drilling a small hole in the case and running the wires out, and making my blinky run off a rechargeable battery pack. Or even if it's not a rechargeable pack, at least I could use like D cells or something instead of AAA's. Anyone here done that?

I built a xenon strobe taillight that runs off of 6 to 15 volts. Used trailer hitch connectors to link into the headlight batteries. 360 degree flash so has served as emergency headlight. Yes, certainly possible to wire a disposable battery type blinky to take rechargeables but why bother. Other posts describe taking motor vehicle tail-lights, wiring them with a breaker circuit, putting them on the bike or rear rack, and plugging them into the main batteries. Ride With Power.

Rear blinkies last a long time. I've never worn one out and tend to lose them before they become useless. I have worn out a front head light but that's because it stays on constant and no blinking.

I persistently break my blinky lights, more than any of my other components. Why can't they make a blinky light that stands up to my abuse?? The best one I've found is the Vista Light Total Eclipse (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11536-225_VISTE0-2-Accessories-35-Lights/VistaLite-Total-Eclipse-Rear-Safety-Light.htm) , which is unfortuntaly no longer being produced because Vistalite was bought out by Bell, (i think). The good thing is that you can find the Eclipses for $10 on close-out, and I bought up several of them from Pricepoint recently. Anybody else have a rear blinky that is economical and indestructable?