Document Overview
Key Findings The ETENWOLF CL3 Camping Lantern failed the IPX5 waterproof test: water ingress was detected on all three test orientations, one unit could not power on after testing, and internal inspection confirmed water penetration into the PCBA, causing a short circuit. Product: CL3 Camping…
- Document type
- Test Report
- Prepared by
- Ryan Cooper
- Published
- Last reviewed
- Topics
- Waterproof Testing
Key Findings
The ETENWOLF CL3 Camping Lantern failed the IPX5 waterproof test: water ingress was detected on all three test orientations, one unit could not power on after testing, and internal inspection confirmed water penetration into the PCBA, causing a short circuit.
- Product: CL3 Camping Lantern
- Test Standard: Internal Control Standard (IPX5 level requirement)
- Test Date: 2026-01-21
- Sample Quantity: 2 PCS
- Verdict: FAIL — does not meet IPX5 waterproof grade requirements
- Failure Mode: Water audible when shaking unit; one sample failed to illuminate on power-on; PCBA water ingress causing short circuit; visible water at base and inside barrel
Test Overview
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product No. / Name | Camping Lantern |
| Model / Type Specification | CL3 |
| Report No. | 20260121-001 |
| Test Date | 2026-01-21 |
| Sample Quantity / No. | 2 PCS |
| Test Type | Reliability Test |
| Test Standard | Internal Control Standard |
| Test Purpose | Evaluate whether the sample’s waterproof performance meets IPX5 waterproof grade requirements |
| Manufacturer / Brand | ETENWOLF |
Test Equipment & Setup
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Test Equipment | Cabinet-type oscillating tube high-pressure water spray integrated machine (箱式摆管强冲水一体机) |
| Room Temperature | 23 °C |
| Relative Humidity | 60 % |
| Power Source | 12 V |
| Test Orientations | 3 directions |
| Spray Duration per Orientation | 3 minutes continuous |
| Water Pressure | Per IPX5 specification (prescribed water pressure) |
Test Procedure
- Pre-test: Record ambient temperature (23 °C) and humidity (60 %). Confirm power source is set to 12 V. Visually inspect both samples for pre-existing damage and document sample IDs.
- Setup: Place the first sample in the cabinet-type oscillating tube high-pressure water spray machine in Orientation 1.
- Spray — Orientation 1: Apply prescribed water pressure spray continuously for 3 minutes.
- Spray — Orientation 2: Reposition sample to Orientation 2; apply prescribed water pressure spray continuously for 3 minutes.
- Spray — Orientation 3: Reposition sample to Orientation 3; apply prescribed water pressure spray continuously for 3 minutes.
- Immediate post-test inspection: Immediately after spraying, disassemble the unit and inspect the interior for water ingress. Shake the unit and listen for water sound. Attempt to power on and verify illumination function.
- Repeat: Perform steps 2–6 for the second sample.
- Document: Record all observations, photographs, and results.
Acceptance Criteria: No water ingress visible inside the unit; no water sound when shaking; all illumination functions operate normally. Product must meet IPX5 waterproof grade — i.e., no harmful ingress from water projected by a nozzle from any direction.
Test Data & Results
| Test Item | Observation / Result |
|---|---|
| Three-direction spray setup | Samples placed in three orientations as required; equipment control panel confirmed operational |
| Three-direction spray process — base | Water ingress visible at the base during spraying |
| Three-direction spray process — function | 1 of 2 units failed to illuminate on power-on after test |
| Disassembly inspection — barrel interior | Water ingress visible inside the barrel (cylinder body) |
| Shake test | Large amount of water audible when shaking the unit |
| PCBA condition | Water ingress on PCBA board; preliminary analysis indicates short circuit caused by water on PCBA |
| Overall waterproof performance | FAIL — does not conform to IPX5 waterproof grade requirements |
Observations: Both samples exhibited clear water ingress after the three-direction spray procedure. The base of the unit showed visible water entry. Internal disassembly confirmed water penetration into the barrel interior. One unit suffered a functional failure (unable to illuminate), preliminarily attributed to a short circuit caused by water contact with the PCBA board. The large volume of water audible on shaking indicates a significant sealing deficiency.
Conclusion
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | FAIL (不合格) |
| Standard Applied | Internal Control Standard — IPX5 waterproof grade |
| Test Conditions | 23 °C, 60 % RH, 12 V power source; three orientations, 3 min per orientation, prescribed water pressure |
| Samples Tested | 2 PCS — CL3 Camping Lantern |
| Failure Description | Waterproof performance test failed: large amount of water audible on shaking; one unit failed to power on; preliminary analysis indicates PCBA water ingress causing short circuit; product does not meet IPX5 waterproof grade requirements |
| Verdict | Product does not conform to IPX5 waterproof grade requirements. Corrective action required before release. |
Document Information
| Role | Name (Pinyin) | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tested By | Li Guanghua | 2026-01-21 |
| Checked By | Zhang Ronggui | 2026-01-21 |
| Approved By | Mai Shaoqiang | 2026-01-21 |
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Form No. | BTK-R-Q142/AO |
| Report No. | 20260121-001 |
| Sheet Name | CL6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does IPX5 waterproof rating mean for the CL3 Camping Lantern?
IPX5 means the product should withstand water projected by a nozzle from any direction without harmful ingress. For the CL3 Camping Lantern, this is the target rating — meaning it should remain fully functional after sustained directional water spray. The January 2026 test found the CL3 did not meet this standard, with water entering the unit from multiple orientations.
Why did the ETENWOLF CL3 fail the IPX5 waterproof test?
The CL3 failed because water penetrated the unit during the three-direction spray procedure. Internal inspection after disassembly revealed water inside the barrel and on the PCBA circuit board. The water contact caused a short circuit on the PCBA, resulting in one unit being unable to illuminate. A large volume of water audible when shaking the unit further confirmed significant sealing deficiencies.
How is the IPX5 waterproof test conducted?
The IPX5 test uses a cabinet-type oscillating tube high-pressure water spray machine. The product is sprayed with water at prescribed pressure from three different orientations, with each orientation receiving 3 minutes of continuous spray. Immediately after the test, the unit is disassembled and inspected for internal water ingress, shaken to check for water sounds, and powered on to verify all functions operate normally.
What happens after a waterproof test failure?
When a product fails waterproof testing, it cannot be released to market as it does not meet the declared IP rating. The test report is escalated through the approval chain — in this case reviewed by Zhang Ronggui and approved by Mai Shaoqiang — and the engineering team must identify the root cause (here, PCBA sealing), implement design or manufacturing corrections, and retest before the product can be certified.
Related Products
Explore other ETENWOLF lighting gear and test reports in this series:
- ETENWOLF Official Site — full product range and documentation
- CL6 Camping Lantern — sibling model tested in the same report file (sheet: CL6); see the CL6 waterproof test report for comparative results