Help with solarforce extention tubes

[Evan III]

Hello, I've got a solarforce incan light that has the 2 extention tubes so I can run 4 R123 cells. I bought the light so I could put an LED drop in in it and run 4 cells. My problem is the light works just fine on 2 cells but when I put the extention tubes on with 4 cells it doesn't work. What could be the problem with the extention tubes?

 

[joshconsulting]

Is your dropin rated for the voltage of 4x RCR123? If it can't take the voltage, it won't light.

 

[rje58]

That's right.... if the drop-in isn't rated for 12v, it won't work 4xCR123. You should never purchase a drop-in without knowing the voltage range.

 

[Evan III]

Yes the drop in is rated for 12v. Even the incan bulb that came with the extentions will not work all the time. But it works consistantly when I remove the extentions. Although very dim becase there is only 6v. I convinced that it has something to do with the extentions, but can't figure why the extentions would make a difference.

 

[csshih]

make sure the extensions are clean and lubed, and that they are well tightened?

 

[march.brown]

Yes the drop in is rated for 12v. Even the incan bulb that came with the extentions will not work all the time. But it works consistantly when I remove the extentions. Although very dim becase there is only 6v. I convinced that it has something to do with the extentions, but can't figure why the extentions would make a difference.

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If you have a multimeter, you could try a couple of checks.

Remove the batteries and do a continuity test (ohms) on the body of the torch with the extension fitted ... This will prove whether there is a connection between the parts on the extended torch body ... The resistance measured should be virtually Zero Ohms ... If this is OK, then do the next test ... If it is not OK then there is obviously a poor connection between the torch body parts.

Clean the battery contacts (just in case) ... Put the meter onto the appropriate Volts range ... Place the batteries in a line on the table as they would go in the torch ... Measure the voltage ... If you are using four 3 Volt cells then you should read 12 Volts ... If this is also OK you will have eliminated the Torch body and the batteries.

Put the Head and Drop-in back on the torch body and put the batteries into the body of the torch ... Connect the bottom (negative) end of the last battery to the torch body with a piece of wire (paper-clip) and the torch LED should light ... If there is no light then the problem could be the connection between the drop-in and the positive end of the battery ... If the LED did light then the fault would seem to be the tail-switch connection.

With the tail-switch in front of you, check for continuity (Ohms) between the spring and the tail-cap body when the button is pressed ... If this is OK, put the tailcap back on the torch and retry ... If the LED still doesn't work, it could be lack of continuity between the torch body and the tailcap body.

From what you have said, it would seem to be a poor connection in the torch body and extension pieces ... Try connecting the head of the torch to the tailcap body with a length of wire then press the button ... LED should light ... Since the torch works dimly without the extensions, I would opt for the body/extensions connection problem.

It could also be that the four batteries are too short for the new body length.

Hope you solve it OK.
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[mvyrmnd]

I has a problem with a Solarforce tube where the anodising on the interior of the tube spilled out onto the top edge and thread. 10 seconds with some sandpaper and my connectivity woes were over.

 

[march.brown]

I has a problem with a Solarforce tube where the anodising on the interior of the tube spilled out onto the top edge and thread. 10 seconds with some sandpaper and my connectivity woes were over.

It would be nice to prove it first before sand papering the threads.
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