HELP! Need electronic piece. Don't know what it's called

[Orion]

On boards, there is an electronic piece that is shaped like a tube, mine had blue outer wrapping. It has two wires coming from one side of the tube where contact to the board is made. Inside is very fine copper wiring that is coiled up. Mine broke in one of my lights. Not sure how, but I don't know where to find one even if I knew what I was looking for!!

Does anyone know what I'm talking about, and if so, where I could get one? Does anyone have one they would sell?

Thanks for the help.

 

[LuxLuthor]

On boards, there is an electronic piece that is shaped like a tube, mine had blue outer wrapping. It has two wires coming from one side of the tube where contact to the board is made. Inside is very fine copper wiring that is coiled up. Mine broke in one of my lights. Not sure how, but I don't know where to find one even if I knew what I was looking for!!

Does anyone know what I'm talking about, and if so, where I could get one? Does anyone have one they would sell?

Thanks for the help.

LOL! This is a classic post.

 

[Illum]

its referred to as an inductor...

its probably the most fragile component on a circuit:sigh:

what is the light?

 

[OhMyGosh]

There are LOTS of different inductors. Finding a replacement would be a challenge. Was it the lead wire that broke? You might just try unwinding one turn to replace the lost wire. This should work of there are lots of turns. If there are only a few, it may change the value to much.

 

[PhotonWrangler]

It's gotta be an inductor based on your description. I agree with the suggestion above - try unwinding a tiny bit of the wire from the coil to get enough length to resolder it. If that's not possible, you're probably better off getting a new driver board for the light.

 

[TigerhawkT3]

Yep, inductors are pretty fragile. I fixed one in my friend's E0 a while back: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=165380.

 

[Orion]

Are inductors very expensive?

 

[IsaacHayes]

Getting the right value is the tricky part. Without knowing the stock value it can be a problem. I once ripped the inductor wires off of an Arc AAA once while unpotting it. I re-soldered it just like original though! talk about tiny!

 

[PhotonWrangler]

For something like a flashlight regulator, they're inexpensive - typically just a few dollars.

 

[IsaacHayes]

Do you still have it? It may be possible for someone else to solder it back on for you if you are not skilled with fine soldering. Was there any printing on it?

 

[Orion]

The whole inductor fell apart, actually. I just didn't want to have to spend money for a new board, . . . . you know, for a relatively cheap flashlight. It was one of those early chinese made 1 watt LEDs. . . .silver body with dimples on the head and tail piece and ridges on the body. It is a 1 CR123 light. I thought about just redoing it with some SMJ LEDs running direct. Won't be all that bright though. Not sure what to do with it, really.