5 minute contact problem solution for Princeton Tec tec 40

[jzmtl]

I know it's only a couple of years too late with the domination of LED, but maybe it'll help someone.

Received tec 40 yesterday, contact with rechargeables is problematic due to flat contact piece on bottom. Tried aluminum foil as suggested here but it gets crushed quick and tec 40 turns back into battery crusher.

Simple solution, something priceton tec should've done to begin with. Pull out the flat contact piece from bottom of the barrel with a dental pick tool/o-ring puller, it's glued on by a thin foam piece. Now take a nail and hammer, punch two holes where battery terminals would push against. Now find a small spring from a retractable ball point pen, cut about three loops off each end. Thread the spring through the holes with one loop below and two loops above, sand off any sharp point. Glue the piece back in, viola, perfect contact every time.

 

[Kremer]

cool, I might do that. I just dropped a paperclip down into mine, it works great but will fall out during a battery change if you aren't paying attention.

 

[thunderlight]

I also use a paper clip with a Sport Flare that I have essentially modified to serve as a Tec 20, using the rubber component from an old Impact XL that I no longer use. The Tec 40 that I currently use is the newer version with a rubber grip. Princeton Tec [old news] has fixed this problem in the latest generation of Tec 40s.

Interestingly, the Sport Flare/Tec 20 [in my opinion] seems to have a better beam pattern with the Mag Krypton bulb rather than the Magnum Star Xenon bulb.

EDIT: Added "Xenon" for clarification.

 

[Burgess]

Great info. Thank you. :thumbsup:


Although using "scraps of aluminum foil" has never failed me yet.


_

 

[mdocod]

hmmmm.... I think my 40 is currently serving duty as my izoozoo glove box light.... might have to go try that because the contact issue wit NIMH has been an issue for me for years, thanks for the heads up!

 

[metlarules]

The pt-40 that I got about 3-4 months ago has springs in the bottom of the light.I'm using it with eneloops and I am not seeing any contact problems.

 

[turbodog]

The easier solution is to call them. They will send extra end pieces. Just stack them till they are high enough. I used to have a supply of spares.

 

[jzmtl]

The easier solution is to call them. They will send extra end pieces. Just stack them till they are high enough. I used to have a supply of spares.

The height isn't the problem, Nimh tend to have flat -ve end, and the flat piece in tec 40 doesn't always make contact with nimh unless you really crank down the head, which tend to squish nimh cells.

Good to hear they fixed it in newer versions.

 

[turbodog]

The height isn't the problem, Nimh tend to have flat -ve end, and the flat piece in tec 40 doesn't always make contact with nimh unless you really crank down the head, which tend to squish nimh cells.

Good to hear they fixed it in newer versions.

The height *is* the problem. The flat cells are hitting the curve at the end of the body. The extra end contact pieces work.