The Fenix PD36R ACE is a customizable multi-mode tactical flashlight. This summary is drawn from the manufacturer's official user manual — see the downloadable PDF reference manual on the product page for complete details.
Warning
- Do not place this flashlight within the reach of children.
- Do not shine this flashlight directly into the eyes of anyone.
- Do not place the light head near flammable objects — high temperatures can cause objects to overheat and become flammable/ignite.
- Do not use this flashlight in inappropriate ways such as holding the unit in your mouth; doing so could cause serious personal injury or death if the flashlight or internal battery fails.
- This flashlight will accumulate a significant amount of heat while operating, resulting in a high temperature of the flashlight shell. Pay close attention to avoid burns.
- Unscrew the light tail a few turns or remove the battery to prevent accidental activation when the light is placed in a closed and flammable environment such as pockets and backpacks.
- The LED of this flashlight is not replaceable; the whole flashlight will need to be replaced when the LED reaches the end of its lifespan.
Overview
- Innovative SET mode to match lighting needs on different scenarios
- 3000 lumens maximum output and 415 meters maximum beam distance
- Utilizes one Luminus SFT70 Gen2 LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours
- Tactical tail switch for instant activation; neck-mounted switch for output selection
- Powered by a Fenix ARB-L21-5000 V2.0 battery
- Hidden USB Type-C charging port in the light neck for convenient charging
- Boot-up battery level indication and low-voltage warning
- Anti-roll and anti-slip body design
- Included body clip for versatile attachment
- Digitally regulated circuit for maintaining a stable output
- Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with an anti-reflective coating
- Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery insertion
- Made of durable A6061-T6 aluminum with a premium type HAIII hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
- Size: 5.75'' x 1.18'' x 1.02'' / 146 x 30 x 26 mm. Weight: 6.41 oz / 181.6 g (including battery)
Operating Instructions
The round tail switch is the tactical switch for instant activation. The neck-mounted switch is for output selection. The SET switch is for option selection.
On/Off: tap the tactical switch to turn on the light momentarily; release it and the light will go out. Fully press the tactical switch to constantly turn on the light; fully press it again and the light will go out.
Output Selection: with the light turned on, single click the neck-mounted switch to cycle through Eco → Low → Med → High → Turbo (5 outputs by default).
SET Mode Adjustment
The SET mode features three preset lighting options, which can be selected based on different lighting demands. Unscrew the light neck to reveal the hidden SET switch. With the light turned on, single click the SET switch to cycle through Option 1 (1 output) → Option 2 (3 outputs) → Option 3 (5 outputs) — Option 3 is selected by default when users first turn on the flashlight. When a lighting option is selected, its indicator displays green for 3 seconds to confirm the selection. After the option selection is completed, single click the neck-mounted switch to select the needed output.
- Option 1: Turbo only, plus Strobe (on/off)
- Option 2: Eco, Med, and Turbo
- Option 3 (default): Eco, Low, Med, High, Turbo, and SOS
Note: users can turn the Strobe mode on or off separately — it is turned on in all options by default. The output amounts for each lighting option do not include Strobe and SOS. All outputs, except for Turbo, can be activated while the flashlight is in use with an AER-04 remote pressure switch.
Enter/Exit SOS and Strobe Modes
With the light turned on, press and hold the neck-mounted switch for over 0.5 seconds to enter Strobe mode; single click it again to switch to SOS mode. Press and hold the neck-mounted switch again for 0.5 seconds to recall the previously used lighting option and brightness level.
Strobe Mode Customization: with the light turned on, press and hold the SET switch for 1.2 seconds to turn on/off the Strobe mode in all options — the flashlight will blink twice to confirm the selection.
Note: only Option 3 features the SOS mode. After turning off the Strobe mode, press and hold the neck-mounted switch for over 0.5 seconds to enter the SOS mode directly.
Intelligent Memory Circuit
The flashlight automatically memorizes the last selected lighting option and brightness level, excluding Strobe and SOS.
Battery Specifications
- Fenix ARB-L21 Series (21700, 3.6V): Recommended
- Rechargeable Battery, Li-ion (21700, 3.6V): Caution
- Battery Without Protection Board, Li-ion (21700, 3.6V): Banned
Warning: do not use batteries prohibited by the manufacturer's user manual, as battery overvoltage may damage circuit components. Do not use rechargeable batteries without a protection board.
21700 Li-ion batteries are powerful cells designed for commercial applications and must be treated with caution and handled with care. Using low-quality batteries or mishandling batteries (such as short-circuiting or overheating) could lead to combustion and jeopardize the safety of users and property. Any adverse effects resulting from the use of low-quality batteries are not covered by any Fenix warranty or liability. Using quality batteries with circuit protection will reduce the potential for combustion or explosion.
Battery Replacement: unscrew the light tail and insert the battery with the anode side (+) towards the light head, then screw the light tail back on.
Charging
Unscrew the light neck to reveal the USB Type-C charging port, then connect the USB Type-C end of the charging cable to the light. The indicator will display red while charging and will turn green when fully charged. Once charging is completed, be sure to unplug the charging cable and screw the light neck back to ensure normal use. The normal charging time of the included Fenix ARB-L21-5000 V2.0 battery is approximately 3 hours from depleted to fully charged — recharge a stored flashlight every four months to maintain the optimum performance of the battery. The flashlight can be turned on while charging: press and hold the neck-mounted switch for 0.5 seconds to turn on/off the light while charging (the tail switch will not respond to any operation during charging). After turning off the light with the neck-mounted switch, if the tail switch is in the fully pressed state while unplugging the charging cable, the flashlight will automatically light up and recall the previously used brightness level.
Battery Level Indication: each time the light is turned on, the battery level indicator in the neck-mounted switch will show the current battery level and will last for 3 seconds. Green light on: saturated, 100%-85%. Green light flashes: sufficient, 85%-50%. Red light on: poor, 50%-25%. Red light flashes: critical, 25%-1%.
Note: this feature only works with a Fenix ARB-L21 Series rechargeable battery.
Technical Parameters (ANSI/PLATO FL1)
- Turbo: Output 3000 lumens*, Runtime 3 hours 2 minutes, Distance 415 meters, Intensity 43181 candela
- High: Output 1000 lumens, Runtime 3 hours 28 minutes, Distance 235 meters, Intensity 13827 candela
- Med: Output 350 lumens, Runtime 8 hours 49 minutes, Distance 137 meters, Intensity 4705 candela
- Low: Output 150 lumens, Runtime 21 hours 49 minutes, Distance 89 meters, Intensity 1981 candela
- Eco: Output 30 lumens, Runtime 63 hours 25 minutes, Distance 40 meters, Intensity 413 candela
- Strobe: Output 3000 lumens
- SOS: Output 150 lumens
Impact Resistance: 1 meter | Submersible: IP68
Note: according to the ANSI/PLATO FL1 standard, the above specifications are the results produced by Fenix through its laboratory testing using one Fenix ARB-L21-5000 V2.0 battery under the temperature of 21±3°C and humidity of 50%-80%; the true performance of this product may vary according to different working environments and the actual battery used. *The Turbo output is measured in total of runtime including output at reduced levels due to temperature or the protection mechanism in the design.
Intelligent Overheat Protection
The flashlight will accumulate a lot of heat when used at high output levels for extended periods. When the flashlight reaches a relatively high temperature, it will automatically step down a few lumens to reduce the temperature. When the temperature drops to a safe level, the flashlight will gradually recall the preset output level.
Low-Voltage Warning
When the voltage level drops below 3.0V, the flashlight is programmed to downshift to a lower brightness level until Eco output is reached. When this happens in Eco output, the battery level indicator blinks red to remind users to replace or recharge the battery in a timely manner. This feature only works with a Fenix ARB-L21 Series rechargeable battery.
Usage and Maintenance
- Disassembling the sealed head can cause damage to the light and will void the warranty.
- Fenix recommends using an excellent quality battery.
- If the light will not be used for an extended period, remove the battery, or the light could be damaged by electrolyte leakage.
- Unscrew the light tail a few turns or take out the battery to prevent accidental activation during storage or transportation.
- Long-term use can result in O-ring wear — to maintain a proper water seal, replace the O-ring with an approved spare.
- Periodic cleaning of the battery contacts improves the light's performance, as dirty contacts may cause flickering, intermittent shining, or failure to illuminate: check for a poor battery level (recharge or replace, ensuring it's inserted according to the manufacturer's specifications) or dirty battery/flashlight contacts (clean with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol).
- If the above methods don't work, please contact your authorized distributor.
What's Included
Fenix PD36R ACE flashlight, ARB-L21-5000 V2.0 battery, USB Type-C charging cable, holster, lanyard, 2x spare O-rings, user manual, and warranty card.
