Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - 2 year old Fenix L2D no longer 180 lumens??

I have 2 Fenix L2D lights, AA. The 2 year old one is no longer bright. It still can go into super flash mode but not as intense of a light, virtually worthless on high. The 1 year old light continues to shine brightly. I have switched batteries with no improvement. Is the life expectancy for this light 2 years?? Is there something I can do to improve the brightness. I gotta think it is out of warranty. If so time to buy a new light.
FWIW: I use lights almost everyday during the winter so they do get a lot of use.

Even HID bulbs lose there intensity over time.. I also noticed that some of my fenix lights over time just don't have as much power.. You should consider moving up to the next level with a P7 or MC-e light..

I highly doubt that the LED in the FENIX died. Those LEDs are rated for like 30,000+ hrs or some ridiculously high number like that.

Much more likely though, is that one of the battery connector points (don't ask me which one - just a hypothesis) died so it can't provide enough juice to the functional LED.

If you want to stick with 180lumens, you can use the Terralux for $28 and has the same spill as Fenix, but no strobe. Or def go Magicshine if you need brighter.

(My FENIX is 2.5 yrs old now and still going like new, and I use it a lot - almost a full battery drain every weekday.)

My Fenix L2D is about 2.5 years old, and I use it commuting 3-4 days/week, 90 minutes/day. It also appeared to have dimmed but I determined that the problem was the batteries, not the light. I had been using the same batteries (Sanyo 2700) and they are losing their ability to hold a charge. I put some fresher AA batteries in the Fenix, and it works like new.

I'd first try thoroughly cleaning, including all the threads and end of tube contact rings, and the tailcap switch assembly. The tailcap has a ring with two holes that loosens. Also the switch has been known to go bad, and is easily replaceable. A wipe of contact surfaces with Caig Deoxit is recommended.

My Fenix L2D is about 2.5 years old, and I use it commuting 3-4 days/week, 90 minutes/day. It also appeared to have dimmed but I determined that the problem was the batteries, not the light. I had been using the same batteries (Sanyo 2700) and they are losing their ability to hold a charge. I put some fresher AA batteries in the Fenix, and it works like new.

That would be my thought also.

My L2D has gotten fussy and will not run in Turbo mode on my old Sanyo 2700mAh cells anymore. Same symptoms you've described. If you have some other cells, try them in there as a fact-finding step.

For the record, an L2D Q5 was measured at 145 lumens out-the-front on Turbo in an integrating sphere. 180 at the emitter, perhaps.

litespeedlouie was spot on. Thanks for all of your replies.
It is definitely not the batteries.I have 2 lights and 4 pairs of batteries, swap them all of the time. I took off the head(where the LED is located) and cleaned it with ethanol as well as the tailcap. The head was really dirty. We are back up to 180 lumens.
mechBgon try this, might work for you as well.

I gave it a try, but mine is still dim on the Sanyo 2700s and bright on the other three types of cells I've got. In my case, it seems to be the cells.

litespeedlouie was spot on. Thanks for all of your replies.
It is definitely not the batteries.I have 2 lights and 4 pairs of batteries, swap them all of the time. I took off the head(where the LED is located) and cleaned it with ethanol as well as the tailcap. The head was really dirty. We are back up to 180 lumens.
mechBgon try this, might work for you as well.

Good to hear! Also, I avoid the high capacity NiMHs, as they seem to lose capacity unpredictably. I stick to Sanyo Eneloop 2000mAh and the Maha 9000 charger.