H60 "malfunction when using protected cells fix"

[CathastrophiX]

I have fixed mine so it works with protected batteries without malfunction.

Mine had several problems, which was a pity since I really like the light.
- Low set to 3, only switching between Med-Hi, as several others have experienced.
- Sometimes it only came on in low, I couldn't change modes.
- Somtimes had to take out the batteries to shut it of.
- When in "110" mode, it sometimes would shut of after a couple of minutes.
- Sometimes flickered in 0.5 and 3 lumens mode.
- Sometimes it didn't light up, unless I removed and installed the battery again.
- Sometimes it light up and shut down immediately again.

Since the battery tube is a couple of millimeters longer than the batteries I tought protected batteries should work. First I put a copper wire in the endcap, then tried to solder the ring in the end cap to make it thicker, because I tought the threaded part was to short to make good contact, but it made no difference.
I ordered AW batteries because I tought my Ultra- and Trustfire were to long (AW's batteries are the same lenght)

Since I felt that the spring put alot off pressure on the battery, I got the idea to shorten the spring (since I don't plan to ever use unprotected cells) I also removed the solder from the ring.

Now it works perfect, I have not had a single malfunction since I shortened the spring.

Finally I can be really happy about this light! :laughing:

Disclaimer: This fix worked on mine, I can't guarantee it works on yours.
Try it on your own risk.

 

[Woods Walker]

Kinda seems like they should have known that some would use protected cells and made it sized right in the first place.

 

[CathastrophiX]

Yes, but I also understand why they wanted to keep the size as small as possible. It has a built in discharge protection circuit.
I like these, the H30 and H60 has become my most used lights.

 

[StandardBattery]

Interesting I'm going to look at mine, but I've been using a Protected AW 18650 in it with no problems.

It look like a monster, but it's winter and with a winter hat you don't even know it's there. I've found outside that high is very nice, I thought at first it might be too bright.

I think it should cycle through the modes a bit slower though.

Glad you got yours working, the ZebraLights are just terrific.

 

[WadeF]

I've been using AW Protected 18650's with no issues as well.

 

[CathastrophiX]

Look at the bottom of the battery.
If you have unscrewed the cap several times, I bet you have some nasty marks from the spring.

 

[lightburns]

Hi CathastrophiX,

Thanks for this - I think I will give the H60 a try !

:thumbsup:

 

[lyyyghtmaster]

I had a weird malfunction on a LiFePO4 cell. Used same cell to shutoff (3.0V NL) w/o problems last night; today after charging the cell up to 3.37V my H60 (continuous button push) would start in 3lm, then go to 45, then 110, II: then 45, then 110, then 110 (with no flicker from previous 110) :II and so on indefinitely. ( the II: and :II means it repeats between these symbols indefinitely.) It would never go through 3 lm again as long as I held the button down. Clicking through the modes worked fine. Changing to .5 and/or 15 worked fine, but made no difference. Taking out batt (with light off or on at time) didn't fix it either. Then I did some unknown, arcane button pushing sequence throughout many modes, after which the problem was fixed! Huh?? V is now 3.28 NL.

Anyone have this issue? :confused:

 

[CathastrophiX]

Mine still works perfect after shortening the spring, I use it 1-2 hours every day. I have replaced the batteries 4-5 times after the "mod"

 

[lyyyghtmaster]

My H60 malfunctioned in the same way again tonight. It seems to have something to do with the use of the 190 lm mode, so maybe the LiFePO4 cell can't supply quite enough voltage to keep it happy at this current level and it latches into some weird mode. Getting out of it seemed to involve setting light to 110 lm mode, but I couldn't tell exactly what I had done. :mecry::thinking:

 

[jzmtl]

My H60 malfunctioned in the same way again tonight. It seems to have something to do with the use of the 190 lm mode, so maybe the LiFePO4 cell can't supply quite enough voltage to keep it happy at this current level and it latches into some weird mode. Getting out of it seemed to involve setting light to 110 lm mode, but I couldn't tell exactly what I had done. :mecry::thinking:

It shuts off at 2.8 v and LiFePO4 apparently will not sustain that voltage under load. So while H60 can take it, it's not designed for it at all.

 

[lyyyghtmaster]

It shuts off at 2.8 v and LiFePO4 apparently will not sustain that voltage under load. So while H60 can take it, it's not designed for it at all.

Thank you, I was afraid of that. I'll just put up with it till my protected 18650s arrive! It works fine on 110lm so I'm OK for now.:thumbsup:

 

[A/V Dude]

I just ordered hee H60 and was wondering how many coils you had to cut incase I have the same problem.

 

[CathastrophiX]

I cut away about 1/3 of the spring.

 

[A/V Dude]

I cut away about 1/3 of the spring.

Thank you.