Darkaway
Enlightened
After waiting almost a month I finally received my EverLED yesterday. I immediately installed it in my PT 20 and it worked great.
I then switched it to my PT 40 and turned it on. It flickered for a second and then died completely and forever. No smoke, but I definitely detected the telltale odor of burning electronics. I realized that I must have installed the batteries in the "wrong" order. Since the PT 40 is designed for incans, which don't care what direction the current comes from, its batteries can be placed so that the tip of the bulb is either positive or negative.
DO NOT INSTALL YOUR EVERLED IN A LIGHT THAT SUPPLIES A NEGATIVE CONNECTION TO THE BOTTOM TIP OF THE BULB. YOU WILL DESTROY IT.
I called the distributor where I ordered the bulb and told them what happened. They said that since I "abused" the unit I was not covered under warranty. While I freely admitted that I connected the bulb backwards, I told them that neither the instructions nor the website (I read both thoroughly before I even touched the bulb) carry a warning about this problem. The bulb's instructions only say that it is not "compatible" or "usable" with flashlights that have a negative connection to the bulb tip, such as 6V lanterns. This falls far short of a warning that the bulb will be completely fried when reverse polarity is applied.
Actually the thought of having the batteries backwards did occur to me but since my PT LED modules (Impact, Impact II, Matrix) all tolerate reverse polarity (they just don't work until I switch the the batteries or turn the module around) I was not too concerned.
BTW, the micropuck which is sold by the same distributor carries a clear warning that reverse polarity will damage it.
The distributor that I spoke to did offer me the possibility of purchasing a replacement EverLED at a reduced price but I have to call back tomorrow and speak to someone else for the details.
This saga will continue in the Cheers/Jeers section (don't know which one yet) in the future. I really don't expect a completely free replacement because this is ultimately my fault. But it would be nice if the EverLED's instructions and website could carry a warning. If a person like me who is somewhat knowledgeable about flashlights can make this mistake, what will happen when the masses start to buy these things?
And another thing.....just a nitpick on my part, but the case this thing comes in looks like it's made for a diamond wedding ring!!! And it comes inside a HUGE (compared to the size of the product) box full of packing peanuts!! I think I would rather receive it in a plain plastic bag (ala the Arc LS) and pay a little less.
I then switched it to my PT 40 and turned it on. It flickered for a second and then died completely and forever. No smoke, but I definitely detected the telltale odor of burning electronics. I realized that I must have installed the batteries in the "wrong" order. Since the PT 40 is designed for incans, which don't care what direction the current comes from, its batteries can be placed so that the tip of the bulb is either positive or negative.
DO NOT INSTALL YOUR EVERLED IN A LIGHT THAT SUPPLIES A NEGATIVE CONNECTION TO THE BOTTOM TIP OF THE BULB. YOU WILL DESTROY IT.
I called the distributor where I ordered the bulb and told them what happened. They said that since I "abused" the unit I was not covered under warranty. While I freely admitted that I connected the bulb backwards, I told them that neither the instructions nor the website (I read both thoroughly before I even touched the bulb) carry a warning about this problem. The bulb's instructions only say that it is not "compatible" or "usable" with flashlights that have a negative connection to the bulb tip, such as 6V lanterns. This falls far short of a warning that the bulb will be completely fried when reverse polarity is applied.
Actually the thought of having the batteries backwards did occur to me but since my PT LED modules (Impact, Impact II, Matrix) all tolerate reverse polarity (they just don't work until I switch the the batteries or turn the module around) I was not too concerned.
BTW, the micropuck which is sold by the same distributor carries a clear warning that reverse polarity will damage it.
The distributor that I spoke to did offer me the possibility of purchasing a replacement EverLED at a reduced price but I have to call back tomorrow and speak to someone else for the details.
This saga will continue in the Cheers/Jeers section (don't know which one yet) in the future. I really don't expect a completely free replacement because this is ultimately my fault. But it would be nice if the EverLED's instructions and website could carry a warning. If a person like me who is somewhat knowledgeable about flashlights can make this mistake, what will happen when the masses start to buy these things?
And another thing.....just a nitpick on my part, but the case this thing comes in looks like it's made for a diamond wedding ring!!! And it comes inside a HUGE (compared to the size of the product) box full of packing peanuts!! I think I would rather receive it in a plain plastic bag (ala the Arc LS) and pay a little less.