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2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire **SOLD**
- Thread starter McGizmo
- Start date
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loszabo
Enlightened
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
Hi guys,
Seems that a small number of these have developed some flickering after some use. I want to alert you all to this and I will keep you posted as to what is ultimately determined. I received e-mail from two of you this AM with flicker problems and there are two lights coming back from Japan to me with flickering problems. I did receive one back from the first wave that started flickering and I found that I needed to give the silver blob a couple more blows with the Auto Center Punch I use for staking. This took care of the issue on my bench and I have not heard back from the customer so I believe the fix held.
The silver solder I use on both the anode contact pad as well as in the via in the PCB has a resin flux that floats to the surface when the solder cools. This resin is not conductive and must be removed for a good electrical contact. My suspicion is that in some cases when I flow the silver solder blob in the via that some of this resin surfaces between the silver and the titanium wall of the head. Using the center punch to stake and mush out the silver probably blasts enough of this away so that silver is in contact with the titanium but it may be that in 2-3% of the lights, over time, and perhaps due to expansion and compression forces, some of this resin ends up undermining the electrical ground path.
I admit that I am guessing here at this point. I will know more after this latest 4 lights are dealt with either by me or the owners.
I understand that flickering problems have been in the background of the Arc AAA lights since their inception and I believe Peter finally overcame the issue with his method or roll crimping the lip of the head over the backside of the PCB. To date, there has been no indication that such a permanent crimp would be required with the titanium and there is much to be said if the titanium can be left alone and as potential host to exchanges of LE's over time should the need or desire arise.
I have close to 200 of the Sapphires out there and at this point, there are 5 with a flickering issue. I have only received one of them back to date and it was an easy fix but still unfortunate that a fix was needed. This is not a large percentage but the percentage needs to be zero.
At this point, I don't have any changes in my assembly method planned and I will continue to ship what I still have, as it is ordered. If something becomes obvious when and if I get these flickering units back for rework then I will let you guys know and any data points you users can add will be appreciated as well.
Thanks for your understanding and support! :bow:
Hi guys,
Seems that a small number of these have developed some flickering after some use. I want to alert you all to this and I will keep you posted as to what is ultimately determined. I received e-mail from two of you this AM with flicker problems and there are two lights coming back from Japan to me with flickering problems. I did receive one back from the first wave that started flickering and I found that I needed to give the silver blob a couple more blows with the Auto Center Punch I use for staking. This took care of the issue on my bench and I have not heard back from the customer so I believe the fix held.
The silver solder I use on both the anode contact pad as well as in the via in the PCB has a resin flux that floats to the surface when the solder cools. This resin is not conductive and must be removed for a good electrical contact. My suspicion is that in some cases when I flow the silver solder blob in the via that some of this resin surfaces between the silver and the titanium wall of the head. Using the center punch to stake and mush out the silver probably blasts enough of this away so that silver is in contact with the titanium but it may be that in 2-3% of the lights, over time, and perhaps due to expansion and compression forces, some of this resin ends up undermining the electrical ground path.
I admit that I am guessing here at this point. I will know more after this latest 4 lights are dealt with either by me or the owners.
I understand that flickering problems have been in the background of the Arc AAA lights since their inception and I believe Peter finally overcame the issue with his method or roll crimping the lip of the head over the backside of the PCB. To date, there has been no indication that such a permanent crimp would be required with the titanium and there is much to be said if the titanium can be left alone and as potential host to exchanges of LE's over time should the need or desire arise.
I have close to 200 of the Sapphires out there and at this point, there are 5 with a flickering issue. I have only received one of them back to date and it was an easy fix but still unfortunate that a fix was needed. This is not a large percentage but the percentage needs to be zero.
At this point, I don't have any changes in my assembly method planned and I will continue to ship what I still have, as it is ordered. If something becomes obvious when and if I get these flickering units back for rework then I will let you guys know and any data points you users can add will be appreciated as well.
Thanks for your understanding and support! :bow:
jch79
**Do Not Feed The Vegan**,
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
Who said anything about understanding and support? :nana:
Don, your openness with your customers (aka loyal fans!) is always top-notch. 😀 And your efforts to always make things right is noted and appreciated - especially in a crowd as tough as this one is. :devil:
Now, stop screwing up so much :whoopin: and get back to work!
:duck: john :kiss:
Who said anything about understanding and support? :nana:
Don, your openness with your customers (aka loyal fans!) is always top-notch. 😀 And your efforts to always make things right is noted and appreciated - especially in a crowd as tough as this one is. :devil:
Now, stop screwing up so much :whoopin: and get back to work!
:duck: john :kiss:
malamalama
Newly Enlightened
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
I have noticed very minor flickering with my Ti Sapphire, but cranking it tighter usually solved the problem, so I didn't think too much about it. I do not have the foam spacer installed. Don't know if tighter and tighter is the best long-term solution, though.
I doubt if my flickering would qualify as a major problem worthy of being returned. It doesn't bother me too much and I could usually make it go away.
I have noticed very minor flickering with my Ti Sapphire, but cranking it tighter usually solved the problem, so I didn't think too much about it. I do not have the foam spacer installed. Don't know if tighter and tighter is the best long-term solution, though.
I doubt if my flickering would qualify as a major problem worthy of being returned. It doesn't bother me too much and I could usually make it go away.
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
Don, thanks so much for a work of art. Do you know where can I order more Sapphire O-rings? Thanks.
Are they the same one's listed here by any chance?
http://www.mcmaster.com/#5233t35/=24i64r
Don, thanks so much for a work of art. Do you know where can I order more Sapphire O-rings? Thanks.
Are they the same one's listed here by any chance?
http://www.mcmaster.com/#5233t35/=24i64r
Last edited:
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
Tygger,
Thanks for the link! I bought the O-rings from an on line metric O-ring supply firm and paid more than those shown on McMaster Carr. Dang! I just placed an order with McMaster over the weekend and could have easily got more of these had I know!
To answer your question, those should be the same as the ones I am using.
Tygger,
Thanks for the link! I bought the O-rings from an on line metric O-ring supply firm and paid more than those shown on McMaster Carr. Dang! I just placed an order with McMaster over the weekend and could have easily got more of these had I know!
To answer your question, those should be the same as the ones I am using.
nitrox1
Newly Enlightened
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
Mine flickers sometimes also. I just usually twist it on and off a few times, then crank it down tight and it goes away. No foam
In mine either.
Love the light btw, and the flicker hasn't really bothered me.
John
Mine flickers sometimes also. I just usually twist it on and off a few times, then crank it down tight and it goes away. No foam
In mine either.
Love the light btw, and the flicker hasn't really bothered me.
John
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
For those experiencing flickering you may want to first try cleaning the contacts (solder blob, and battery terminals) with Deoxit contact cleaner. Works much better and lasts longer than cleaning with 91% isopropyl alcohol.
For those experiencing flickering you may want to first try cleaning the contacts (solder blob, and battery terminals) with Deoxit contact cleaner. Works much better and lasts longer than cleaning with 91% isopropyl alcohol.
MKLight
Enlightened
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
With the deoxit contact cleaner, it doesn't dry like the 91% alcohol. Do you recommend wiping it off or letting the oily deoxit stay on?
Thank you,
Mike
With the deoxit contact cleaner, it doesn't dry like the 91% alcohol. Do you recommend wiping it off or letting the oily deoxit stay on?
Thank you,
Mike
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
IIRC, the instructions state you should place a small amount on the contact, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe clean. You can then apply deoxit "gold" (using the same procedure) as an preventive measure if you want. I'm not sure how much difference it makes but it can't hurt.
IIRC, the instructions state you should place a small amount on the contact, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe clean. You can then apply deoxit "gold" (using the same procedure) as an preventive measure if you want. I'm not sure how much difference it makes but it can't hurt.
PoliceScannerMan
Flashaholic
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
:wave:
I assume you talking about me? 😱
Sorry I didnt get back to ya Don! Yes, affirmative, light is working as it should! It is my dedicated nightstand light. My Sapphire Mule with high CRI has taken over work keychain duty, Mako on personal keychain duty, love both of those lights. :kiss:
Thanks for the fix!
Dont worry folks, Don will take care of his customers. Sure it stinks to have to mail it out and wait, but hey, these things happen. What can ya do?
:wave:
I assume you talking about me? 😱
Sorry I didnt get back to ya Don! Yes, affirmative, light is working as it should! It is my dedicated nightstand light. My Sapphire Mule with high CRI has taken over work keychain duty, Mako on personal keychain duty, love both of those lights. :kiss:
Thanks for the fix!
Dont worry folks, Don will take care of his customers. Sure it stinks to have to mail it out and wait, but hey, these things happen. What can ya do?
MKLight
Enlightened
mel
Newly Enlightened
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
Been using this for a few weeks now.
Replaced a Fenix.
Absolutely no flickering probs. I can make it flicker if I don't turn it enough but thats just 'cause it's not enough to make proper contact. The amount needed to make good contact is not what I would call tight anyway, I don't envision any long term probs there.
Actually the mechanics of switching this light on is a large part of its appeal to me. It's just so easy. The grip provided by the flutes is really good, and being placed right at the end of the torch makes one handed operation effortless. This is a huge improvement over previous AAA torches I have used.
Great little light.
Been using this for a few weeks now.
Replaced a Fenix.
Absolutely no flickering probs. I can make it flicker if I don't turn it enough but thats just 'cause it's not enough to make proper contact. The amount needed to make good contact is not what I would call tight anyway, I don't envision any long term probs there.
Actually the mechanics of switching this light on is a large part of its appeal to me. It's just so easy. The grip provided by the flutes is really good, and being placed right at the end of the torch makes one handed operation effortless. This is a huge improvement over previous AAA torches I have used.
Great little light.
GhostReaction
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: 2nd Wave of Ti Sapphire
I bought my dad a saphire for his bday. It flickers when using eneloop but no problem with primary energizer.
Will try to clean contacts and report again.
I bought my dad a saphire for his bday. It flickers when using eneloop but no problem with primary energizer.
Will try to clean contacts and report again.
