*Sorry to dig up an old post*
i too would like a little advice :help: .. after removing the PCB is it necessary to remove the wire that runs from end to end or can this just be left in place to save removing the wrapper from the cell?
Definitely remove the wire and rewrap the cell.
If you leave the wire on, it might short the negative pole of your cell to the negative pole of the cell above it in a multicell light. Given that the positive pole will also be in contact with the negative pole of the cell above it, that would short your cell out with all the usual nasty consequences.
Same problem in a single cell light, except that the short would be through the light's positive contact point.
If the wire was long enough, the loose end might even be able to short your cell out directly. That could happen at any time: on the charger, sitting on your desk, or packed away in a storage box, for example.