Recall of La Petitie Killer

[PhotonFanatic]

9/3/08 EDIT

The reverse polarity boards for the Killer have arrived!



For those who have returned their Killers for the installation of the RP converter instead of the PEEK sleeve option, the payment of the $10 fee for a new Killer head with the RP converter installed is now due.

End Edit


The replacement options:

1) I will install the PEEK sleeve and ship your original Killer back to you, with the solder blob also fixed, for no charge to you--in fact I will throw in at least a couple of Renata batteries to cover your return postage on the Killer, or

2) I can build a new head using the reversed polarity converter and return your Killer a bit later, i.e., most likely this would take a month. There would be an additional charge of $10 for the new head in lieu of the old head, but no shipping charges, and the couple of spare batteries for your return postage would also be in effect.

Am I embarrassed by this fiasco? You bet, but as I've noted before--I learn from my mistakes. No more indications of interest threads, no more rushing to get things out before they have been thoroughly field tested, yada, yada.

Please e-mail me for my address, if you don't already have it, for returning the Killers. Also, please send me an e-mail at once, if you know that you'd like a refund instead of the repair or replacement.

Thanks, and I do apologize for the mess.

For those who have yet to even receive their Killer, please e-mail me and let me know if you would like a refund, or will be willing to wait for the new reverse-polarity converter board to arrive.

[jefft]

Hmm, I see. I was wondering why my light arrived DOA. Since it was one of the early ones shipped out, I guess the electrolyte residue problem is what I'm experiencing. Is there any special procedure for cleaning out the dried-on electrolyte? Is it too late for a distilled water rinse?

[BVH]

Talk about excellent customer service from an excellent CPF'r!!

[StrayLight]

Thanks for addressing these issues quickly and publicly.

Mine was DOA. I don't have the means to test the battery, or know off the top of my head where to find replacements. I do see a bit of what may be electrolyte near the negative contact. I can't really say if the anodizing is high enough. I've got no soldering skills, so I'd like to send mine back to have the blob augmented and the anodizing checked.

[x923x]

Yes, thank you for this info. Mine was not DOA, it did have a little bit of juice when it arrived but only for a few seconds. I'm going to get some new batteries tomorrow to see if it's the soldering blob issue you mentioned since I was able to twist it on and have it flash on for a second. I was able to do this two or three times looking for the "sweet spot" for it to stay on before it went completely out. Once I install a fresh battery I'll continue to test. Either way it's still a very cool little light!

[glockboy]

Still on mine.

[PhotonFanatic]

Hmm, I see. I was wondering why my light arrived DOA. Since it was one of the early ones shipped out, I guess the electrolyte residue problem is what I'm experiencing. Is there any special procedure for cleaning out the dried-on electrolyte? Is it too late for a distilled water rinse?

Hi Jeff,

Not too late at all--the residue is easily removed with a toothpick, and then cleaning with either distilled water and drying, or with Isopropyl Alcohol.

[PhotonFanatic]

Thanks for addressing these issues quickly and publicly.

Mine was DOA. I don't have the means to test the battery, or know off the top of my head where to find replacements. I do see a bit of what may be electrolyte near the negative contact. I can't really say if the anodizing is high enough. I've got no soldering skills, so I'd like to send mine back to have the blob augmented and the anodizing checked.

Yes, please send the Killer back. Most of the electrolyte would appear in the corners of the battery tube, as capillary forces drew the liquid to the junction of those two surfaces. What you may be seeing near the battery button is just small areas of unanodized Ti where the nail polish masking went slightly past the button. Those small bare Ti areas near the button are no issue--the battery physically can not reach them.

[Chief-Yeah]

I also received mine DOA but with a fresh battery it seems fine so I'm going to keep mine because "I like angst in my life".In fact I've already modified it with the addition of a smaller split ring and two gitd o-rings.
It is a pretty cool little light,I've seen women wear earrings bigger then this.....hey,there's an idea

[olrac]

not intereste any longer

[karlthev]

Oh boy Fred, little package but big trouble!! Sorry for that same trouble!


Karl

[Eric242]

AAA Battery Tube Possibility??

I´d be a in for a AAA battery tube Would be a great addition to the Killer even though it wouldn´t be so petite anymore

Eric

[knifebright]

AAA tube definatly for me if it happens! Thanks for the tube idea . My liL Killa's sitting at my appartment as I'm out of town but when I get back if anything is wrong I'll let ya know but i'm sure I'm in the group of "I need more angst in my life"
Jimmy

[Cuso]

Fred , how long does the light can actually stay on before it drops the amperage to unusable levels??

[jefft]

Fred, light's coming back. After electrolyte scrape and rinse, the light is still wonky so I think I'll take up up on your repair option. Thanks for being so proactive about this.

[Erasmus]

La Petite Suicider

[GeorgeMaggos]

AAA Battery Tube Possibility??
I've already had suggestions/requests for a AAA battery tube option for the Killer. This might be a great option since the AAA would have higher capacity and AAA batteries are widely available. If you might be interested, post your interest here. If there is enough interest, I'll get a quote from the shop.

Hey Fred,

I dont have my 2 La Petite Killer's yet I am # 66 & 67 on the list but the AAA battery tube sounds great & I would be very interested in that option as well. I would need both a bare AAA tube & a turquoise AAA tube to match my lights. I am looking very forward to recieving these little Killer's I cant wait to attach it to my keyring

Thanks for all your time & effort Fred I appreciate it
~George

[foxracer72]

just got mine in the mail today, unfortunately it was doa, i hope its just a dead battery ill go to the store and try to find that battery type. but its a beautiful little light, cant wait to get it going

[Cuso]

Received mine, DOA also.. Upon opening the light up I noticed a red fluid in the battery, solder blob and threads, I have no idea what the stuff is. Checked the battery for voltage and it was dead, no reading at all. Replaced the battery and it worked so I guess it turned on during shipping and arrived dead. I'm guessing the red fluid must be battery acid, but I don't know...

[PhotonFanatic]

Received mine, DOA also.. Upon opening the light up I noticed a red fluid in the battery, solder blob and threads, I have no idea what the stuff is. Checked the battery for voltage and it was dead, no reading at all. Replaced the battery and it worked so I guess it turned on during shipping and arrived dead. I'm guessing the red fluid must be battery acid, but I don't know...

The "red stuff" is Pro Gold, and nothing to worry about. I posted already that I put Pro Gold just about everywhere.

Pro Gold prevents oxidation and facilitates electrical conductivity.

The Killer will now be shipped without the battery in it. Anyone who has received a Killer with a dead battery should e-mail me and I'll send you a couple new batteries.

[Cuso]

The "red stuff" is Pro Gold, and nothing to worry about. I posted already that I put Pro Gold just about everywhere.

Pro Gold prevents oxidation and facilitates electrical conductivity.

O crap!! I cleaned the stuff off thinking...O crap.

[foxracer72]

ok went and got a new battery and all is good its a little touchy still turns on right before the lines meet up but when i match up the lines it turns off

[PhotonFanatic]

ok went and got a new battery and all is good its a little touchy still turns on right before the lines meet up but when i match up the lines it turns off

That's exactly what I would expect to be happening, when the silver solder blob at the bottom of the PCB board is too thin. It initially makes contact with the battery and the LED will light up, or perhaps flicker, but as one continues turning the battery tube, then the top of the battery is coming into contact with the bottom of the head, where the converter's PCB is embedded, thus shorting the circuit.

I urge any and all to send their Killers back to me so that I can both add extra solder and anodize the bottom of the head, thus isolating the head from the battery. While the anodizing isn't needed if the solder blob is tall enough, it won't hurt to have it done. Besides, as I've mentioned some indentation of the top of the 357 battery can occur, so the anodizing will protect against further movement of the battery toward the head.

[x923x]

ok went and got a new battery and all is good its a little touchy still turns on right before the lines meet up but when i match up the lines it turns off

Same thing here, new battery and got the exact same symptoms as described above. I'll take you up on your offer to send it back for modification, it's a great little light and I look forward to putting on the keychain. Email inbound.

[Cowley]

Fred, congrats on the CS you are providing. I'm sending my two back tomorrow. These are absolutely great looking little "Killers". I don't have to have mine back ASAP as I have a few new toys to play with. Get those out that need them now. I'll anxiously await their return. I still want the two more I reserved on the next offering for Christmas presents, plus the AAA tubes for all if and when available.

Cowley

[easilyled]

Hi Fred,

My Lil Killer arrived today but also DOA.

I've cleaned the tube and will see if a new battery solves the problem.

If not, I'll send it back if that's ok please.

Thanks,
Daniel/

[PhotonFanatic]

I've decided to recall all the Killers. Please see the first post. Sorry about this, but it is the only logical thing to do.

[Hodsta]

Fred,

Hats off to ya. This is a stand up thing to do and to do so so publicly. I will be the first in the queue for one of these lights (plus the AAA tube and top cap) when you feel comfortable the problem has been resolved.

[tricker]

i didn't buy one of these.....but with the amount of customer service & support provided.....i kinda wish i had

[karlthev]

Hell Fred, I think you're a pretty damn straight shooter no matter what your wife says!! Ha! On a more serious note, yeah, I want a Killer, as a matter of fact, I want BOTH of my Killers and I want to get on the list for a third!! This is a great little light and, once it gets its wings it'll fly just fine!! You're just up the road from me anyway (CT) and, if I don't hear from ya, I'll find ya!! I'm in for the run Fred, not to worry and I'll wager most others on this buy will stick around as well.



Karl