Can anyone tell me what happened to my old flashlight? (2D Rayovac incan)

[ampdude]

This is a really weird one, and I can't figure it out. So this is an old 2D Rayovac I've had for about 30 years. Last I used it was a few months ago and it was fine. It's been in a closet without batteries in it since. I went to pick it up today to move it to another part of the shelf and when I looked at the reflector I saw this. Looks like mineral deposits around the edges. I opened it up and there are some inside as well. And on the base of the bulb.

The bulb is a PR base Dorcy 2 cell xenon that is about 15+ years old. The bulb envelope looks intact and there are no signs of any problems with the bulb itself. I haven't tried to fire the light up as of yet. This makes no sense to me. Here are some pictures. Sorry I don't know how to add thumbnail images anymore with the new forum format. Does anyone know what happened with this light? I'm gonna have to source a new reflector somehow, not sure it's cost efficient, but I like this light. I had some adventures with it when I was young and before I could afford a maglite.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Looks like it could be a battery vented on you and the gas deposited on the areas that were affected.

 

[bykfixer]

I've had plastic lights do like that in the past and have no idea why. What Lynx said makes sense. Unknown at the time but a battery may have burped. And even though you did not store the batteries in the light……like he said.

The light is probably fine to use like it is. Maybe some gentle cleaning will be required. Sourcing a reflector would likely be a fruitless search so it might be best to check eBay for lights by Dorcy, Rayovac or Radio Shack. Not Eveready because they often did like Sears did toilets and used parts that only fit Eveready.

Hope you get it fixed easily.

Is the lens glued to the reflector? I wonder if perhaps the "miracle glue" has gotten brittle and began crumbling……

 

[ampdude]

It's possible that a battery vented and I didn't notice it before I put it away last and took out the batteries. Cleaning reflectors never seems to be an option, the results are generally worse than what you start out with IME. Rayovac still makes a similar light and I've seen them on fleebay.

The lens is glued to the reflector, the entire thing comes out as one part and you stick the PR bulb into the spring inside the light. Maybe the glue got funky too. I'll take a closer look at everything, but nothing seemed to make sense the first time so doubt I'll gain any new information.

I don't see how the glue getting weird could go way down into the body, but only the edge of the reflector. I'm wondering about the bulb now.

 

[Poppy]

Would vinegar be a good cleaning agent?

 

[ampdude]

I don't know, I could try it. I have a jar of it under the sink. Can't harm anything I guess, it's already screwed up.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Would vinegar be a good cleaning agent?

Vinegar works good cleaning up alkaleaks followed by water then 90% alcohol to absorb the water as the vinegar is acidic. As for the reflector unless you can get to the reflector damage directly and wash it and use a microfiber rag likely it being plastic is a lost cause as if it is acid it has already damaged the coating and few people have what it takes to redo a reflector it is cheaper to replace it.

 

[bykfixer]

I'd say the reflector is done for. The coating is stimpled to start with so a few scratches wouldn't really show, but the actual coating may flake off around the edges. The plastic is molded with the stimples and is coated over that. I have an old 70's Bianchi that all of the coating had come off so it was clear stimpled plastic. I painted it but it still sucked at throwing light more than a few feet. I lucked up and found a replacement lens that fit from a fellow selling parts for LA Screw lights.

Finger nail polish on a q-tip often works for releasing "miracle glue". Just make sure to use it with the lens facing down to prevent it from getting onto the reflector itself in case you want to try to clean the reflector. If you replace the reflector just glue the lens back on using e-6000 epoxy.

 

[Poppy]

Good tip Mr Fixer.
I recently discovered that there are two types of nail polish remover. One acetone, and one non-acetone.
I believe you'll be looking for the Acetone type.

 

[ZMZ67]

I wonder if the ring/reflector from a new Rayovac Industrial would interchange? I am not sure if Rayovac is still making them but I see Battery Junction has a handful in stock for $6.60 so I would think there is a chance you could find one at a local hardware or another local store for $10 or there about. Those old industrial/GP lights +PR base LED bulb+AA to D adapters+Energizer L91 lithium AAs (lightweight and no leaks) still make good household/emergency lights.I had one of the magnet Rayovac industrials stuck to the fridge for a long time.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

I wonder if the ring/reflector from a new Rayovac Industrial would interchange? I am not sure if Rayovac is still making them but I see Battery Junction has a handful in stock for $6.60 so I would think there is a chance you could find one at a local hardware or another local store for $10 or there about. Those old industrial/GP lights +PR base LED bulb+AA to D adapters+Energizer L91 lithium AAs (lightweight and no leaks) still make good household/emergency lights.I had one of the magnet Rayovac industrials stuck to the fridge for a long time.

Personally if it were me I would get a decent LED dropin and use it as is as the damage probably won't greatly affect the quality of the beam since dropins usually throw most of the light straight ahead the side spill that is redirected is a lot less of the actual beam than that of an incan.