How to repair a dented Pila-Resolved

[Hoghead]

Problem resolved, sort of/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

I dented a positive terminal on a Pila 168S while expermiting with a KL1 on a E2D. I never did get this combination to work either with 123s or Pilas and I tried two different KL1s. BTW I dented it by trying to use a small magnet on the positive end of the Pila in hope of making contact. When I clicked the switch it broke the magnet and dented the positive end of the battery.

I read that someone had repaired a dented Pila by carefully using a wire through the hole. I tried this without success.

I also tried solder. A very small blob worked but the solder broke off and would have to be soldered every time the head was removed.

I tried tinfoil, folded and super glued to the plastic around the positive terminal. This didn't make contact.

Can anyone tell me if liquid metal is conductive?

Any ideas?

Thanks /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hahaha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif

 

[Hallis]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

spent a few bucks and get yourself a new battery, and dont risk damaging the cell, the light it's gonna be in, or yourself in the process.

 

[turbodog]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

If the solder broke off, it was a bad joint to begin with. You need to clean to terminal and scratch the terminal with something. Sandpaper will likely work. I use a sharp corner of a file myself. Clean terminal after roughing up. Get a good got soldering iron and throw a blob on there.

 

[wptski]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

There was a post here, somewhere, they went through the vent holes with a made up tool to correct something like that but unsure of just how bad the dent was.

 

[turbodog]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

dental pick

 

[Hoghead]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

I tried a few different sizes of fish hooks, but they bent. The fish hooks did bend the dent out a little but not enough.

Next I used a small nail that I shaped on a bench grinder and bent into a hook in a vise. I held it with vise grips and went to work on the battery. I couldn't tell if I got any more of the dent out or not. It still didn't work.

The first time I soldered a blob, the blob was too tall. I filed it down and it worked, but the blob broke off when I tested it.

The second time I soldered a much smaller blob (more like a trace) and it worked, but it broke off the when I screwed the head on.

I think the tolerances are so small that there isn't enough solder to have the required strength.

Unless someone comes up with something else I think this battery is lost. This kind of reminds me of experimenting with hot wires. Maybe a certain percentage of loss has to be accepted when experimenting. I hope I'm learning from my mistakes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hahaha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/oops.gif

I'm waiting for the R123s to arrive. I wonder what I can do to these? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Hallis]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

Oh you can blow up all kinds of crap with R123's /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Much power, 4.2V each if using the right charger /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Hoghead]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

Are there any more ideas on how to fix the dent in the Pila? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif


Hallis,

My first R123 project is going to be a E2e/E2c/Z44HA/2xR123/P90 & P91 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/au.gif

I think it'll be /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif but it could be /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hahaha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/oops.gif

 

[Christoph]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

use a small magnet on the end.one of those neyodim(sp) 1/4x1/8 it will stay in the depression on top.
Chris /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Hoghead]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

Christoph,

That's how I dented the battery. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleye11.gif I broke a magnet at the same time.

I have thin magnets, but they are too thick. I'm sure they would work for some applications.

 

[3rd_shift]

Re: Help! How to repair a dented Pila

Can you post a pic of the dented pila.
We could then give you some suggestions based on what we see.
www.photobucket.com can host your images for free.

 

[Hoghead]

3rd shift,

Sorry, no pictures.

I was just looking at it again so that I could describe it to you. It has a dent in the middle of the positive terminal. I managed to get some of the dent out by prying up through the holes with fish hooks & a bent nail.

I tried it in a light with a larger blob (McLux 2x123/bare al PR/BB700/V3T) and it works OK. This is better than throwing it away, but I normally use these in my EDC (PR/X3T/BB750/E2D).

Next I had to see if it can be charged. Yes, it can be charged, but I have to wiggle it in the charger until it makes contact.

I'm done messing with it. I'm going to use it in a light for "around the house" and I'll be ordering another from JSB.

I could add a larger blob to my EDC light, but this might dent my other Pilas.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanks.gif for the help guys!

 

[Chop]

Don't bother tring to pull the dent out. It'll just happen again, sooner or later. Just put a solder blob on it. You need the solder blob on some KL1's and KL4's (among other lights) anyway.

You just don't want to get the batt too hot. Break the surface coating with some sandpaper and use soldering flux to get the solder flowing. I have over a dozen Pila cells and all have solder blobs on them.