Copied Replies:
mahoney08-17-2007 06:42 PM
Re: Couple LSH questions
to clean the threads, a Q-tip or a toothbrush and a little light oil will do
The simple version of your problem would be a loose retaining ring in the head of the light, or a missing copper wave washer between the board and the retaining ring. The high pressure of the battery pack is pushing the negative contact ring on the bottom of the board away from the retaining ring.
There are more complex versions of the problem involving board flex, broken traces, loose solder joints. Odds favor the simple version though.
nmiller08-17-2007 06:56 PM
Re: Couple LSH questions
mahoney: Thanks much. Hopefully I'll have the time to look into it this weekend.
Nick
nmiller08-18-2007 07:18 AM
Re: Couple LSH questions
I found something else! I don't think its a good thing either. It looks like there is solder on the threads of the head right at the retaining ring. Any suggestions?
mahoney08-20-2007 02:27 PM
Re: Couple LSH questions
Conductive epoxy perhaps? Whatever it is, can you remove it with a sharp pointy tool?
kitelights08-20-2007 07:00 PM
Re: Couple LSH questions
Usually you can pick up off bit by bit - I used a discarded dental tool. Sometimes you've got to cut the retaining ring. If you do, contact Cy or check the sandwich shoppe for a replacement.
nmiller08-21-2007 04:18 AM
Re: Couple LSH questions
I havn't had much time to work with it, but to me it definitly seems to be solder. My other two lights don't have this substance on the threads so I'm think I'm going to have to try to use a desolder pump or wick to remove it. Does anyone think I have to worry about damaging the light? I've decided to use it for a mod project so I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world.
mraymer08-21-2007 08:20 PM
Re: Couple LSH questions
I don't know what that substance is, but it's TOUGH to get out. At least it was on mine. I half way destroyed my ring getting it out. Ordered a replacement from the sandwich shoppe, inexpensive and got here quick. Previously, my ideal of a mod was changing the screws on my clip to button head screws. I'm not a modder and if I can open one of these up and put it back together, anyone can. I used the PDF that was posted in your other thread for assistance:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...d.php?t=167763
I scraped and picked at that epoxy and finally got it all out of my threads, though I did damage the ring to the point where it was best to be replaced. I replaced the NX-05 optic with a reflector and put in a new glass lens . I'm sure some of you pros that have been doing this stuff forever and can do this in your sleep are laughing at me over this. I'll admit it's not really a mod, more of an alteration. But it was a big deal to me, tearing open a perfectly good working light that is no longer produced that I paid money for. I just finished doing this and if you can't tell, I'm pleased with myself over the results and that it actually worked when I put it back together. I'll leave the board and LED upgrades to the professionals here however.
Do all ARC LS models have this epoxy on the ring and threads? It seems some people claim their light doesn't have this almost impenetrable substance and others do, as I did on my LSH-P.
nmiller08-22-2007 04:12 AM
Re: Couple LSH questions
I have three different LSH's. Only one has it. It happens to be the LSH-P. The two LSH-s lights don't have it.
mraymer08-22-2007 06:24 AM
Re: Couple LSH questions
I've only got the one LSH-P. I might have to pick up an LSH-S to verify only the premiums have this epoxy on the ring. Sounds like a good excuse to buy another light. :naughty:
nmiller08-22-2007 06:37 AM
Re: Couple LSH questions
Its a great excuse! Comparing the two, you barely notice the difference in tint and brightness. I now question the concept behind offering a premium. I don't see a point in it. I don't think the human eye will notice that big of a difference.
AvroArrow08-22-2007 07:48 AM
Re: Couple LSH questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
nmiller (Post 2056866)
I havn't had much time to work with it, but to me it definitly seems to be solder. My other two lights don't have this substance on the threads so I'm think I'm going to have to try to use a desolder pump or wick to remove it. Does anyone think I have to worry about damaging the light? I've decided to use it for a mod project so I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world.
Interesting, here's another question: where is this solder-like substance? I have a LSH-?? (it was bead blasted so I don't know if it was originally a -S or -P, might have been a -P because it had a warm-white tint to it vs the more purple/pink tint of the usual -S) that had what I also thought was solder that filled the 2 holes in the retaining ring that prevented me from using my snap ring pliers to twist it out AND the stuff was also on the inner part of the retaining ring touching the ring AND the gold colored negative contact on the LS' circuit board. If yours is similar to this then I know what the problem is. On my LSH that had this substance it was also missing the copper wave washer and that weird solder-like stuff was used in place of the copper washer to short the retaining ring against the circuit board's negative contact.
And the reason I keep calling it weird solder-like substance is because I don't think it's regular solder. I put my soldering iron to it and it wouldn't melt and liquify like normal solder. It started to crumble when I jabbed at it with my soldering iron. The crumbles that broke away were gray and white. It's weird stuff. Anyway, I put my soldering iron to it to heat it up, then used a dental pick to pick away at it until I had the 2 holes in the retaining ring mostly clear and was able to insert my snap ring pliers to twist it out. Here's the other weird part, it twisted right out. There was no green loctite/epoxy on the threads holding the retaining ring like there is on my other 3 LSes (LS1, LSL-ST, LSH-P). My other 3 LSes all have the green loctite on the retaining ring threads as well as the copper wave washer. I've only be able to open one of them so far... and destroyed the retaining ring in the process. That was also my first LS mod and I have since learned my lesson. Try not to destroy the ring if possible, they're hard to find and the Sandwich Shoppe's supply of them can be a bit spotty.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mraymer
I scraped and picked at that epoxy and finally got it all out of my threads, though I did damage the ring to the point where it was best to be replaced. I replaced the NX-05 optic with a reflector and put in a new glass lens . I'm sure some of you pros that have been doing this stuff forever and can do this in your sleep are laughing at me over this. I'll admit it's not really a mod, more of an alteration. But it was a big deal to me, tearing open a perfectly good working light that is no longer produced that I paid money for. I just finished doing this and if you can't tell, I'm pleased with myself over the results and that it actually worked when I put it back together. I'll leave the board and LED upgrades to the professionals here however.
Do all ARC LS models have this epoxy on the ring and threads? It seems some people claim their light doesn't have this almost impenetrable substance and others do, as I did on my LSH-P.
mraymer, I did almost the exact thing you did for my first LS mod which was to swap in a mineral glass lens (not even an UCL, too expensive) and an IMS17 reflector. And to top it off, it was my most expensive and first good/premium quality light that cost me $85 used. It was nerve wracking when I took my Dremel to it to take out the retaining ring (which I hopefully will not have to do again). And don't worry, you'll be itching to swap in a SSC P4 and bump up the drive current in no time.
That first LSL that I modded now houses a USV0I SSC P4, current bumped up to 400ma (I like runtime), Khatod 17mm smooth reflector, mineral glass lens, and a Mofo-clicky tail. This light is actually as bright as my previously stock HDS U60GT on max. :twothumbs The next mod will probably involve a FluPIC and USV0H SSC P4, but I need to figure out how to make a good heatsink for it. I've seen guys like chimo and mosport do it with flattened pennies and although I've got a hammer, I don't have nice anvil to flatten my pennies with.
As to your last question, 3 of my 4 LSes have the usual green loctite or epoxy and 1 of them had this weird solder-like stuff.
nmiller08-22-2007 09:41 AM
Re: Couple LSH questions
AvroArrow,
The solder like substance is only on one side of the retaining ring. The other side is clean. Other than that, I think it is the same stuff.
Nick
Gransee08-22-2007 09:58 AM
Re: Couple LSH questions
I posted this awhile pack but it doesn't hurt to repost every once in awhile. The substance you guys are talking about is silver filled epoxy. It was applied to the thread of the LS series to enhance the ground path between the housing and ring. It is quite tough once it cures.
peter
nmiller08-22-2007 12:13 PM
Re: Couple LSH questions
Tough is an understatement. Right now I'm going to have to try and remove it so I can try and tighten the ring. It really bothers me that the tail packs can't be tightened all the way.
bombelman08-23-2007 12:28 PM
Re: Couple LSH questions
I found several units of Arc LS which had this silver-filled epoxy.
I think mine was on an LS2 head.
I remember it had the same problem that is would switch off
if the pack got screwed in too tight. The board would loose it's
ground contact with the retainer and turn off.
I said "it had" the same problem, because I manage to remove
the retainer with some tools and some effort. The retainer
was not damaged at all and was still used after the threads were
cleaned up again...
Here is a
link to that thread.
(Thread says solder, but I know now it's silver epoxy)...
Anyway, know what you do, don't force the retaining ring, risking
to damage the thread !
If you need any help, you know where to reach me, blah, blah, blah.... :wave:
Cheers !!
nmiller08-23-2007 06:11 PM
Re: Couple LSH questions
Its all fixed! I was able to remove the epoxy and tighten the ring. I took the entire light apart, and its actually pretty simple. Now I have to decide whether or not to mod the light! It looks pretty simple to unsolder the led and swap it out with a seoul and reflector. I'm going to have to give it some serious thought.
Nick
