I received my Malkoff Maglite 2-3D LED drop-in today and was VERY excited. Well, that excitement has somewhat (actually...Greatly) faded since the mod is not working. I have three older Maglites (all with the required "D"serial #) and it won't work in any of them. All three batteries measure 1.6V each and I have carefully handled the module. When I set the module in the tube as instructed, it drops down to the point where approximately 1/4 inch of the edge of the module protrudes over the tube edge. When I press it down so the edges are flush and then release, it pops back up to same position. Is the module fitting so tightly that it is preventing it to extend far enough into the socket to make the necessary contact? If so, what are your recommendations to alleviate this condition? I hope that this is the problem instead of it being the worst case scenario.....a defective unit (I don't think I can wait for another to become available):mecry: Any input to resolving my delema would be greatly appreciated!
Malkoff Maglite drop-in help!
- Thread starter Helios1
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
Ragiska,
Your reply (non-helpful) is what I should have expected!
From Malkoff's sight: "The Dropin is fitted with a wedging assembly for securing in the module after installation. Align the wedging assembly so that the heatsink will slide down into the body tube. You may need to loosen the assembly (with the screw on the top flat surface of the heatsink).
Center the Dropin (LED pointed up) in the body tube and push it straight in. D sized should be about 1/4" +or- below the outer lip of the light body. C sized should be just a hair below flush.
Again Ragiska, since you want to be so helpful, please indicate where in these instructions it states how far the module should sit BEFORE you press it in 1/4 of an inch. I read the instructions.......I even tried removing the wedge and got the same results!
Your reply (non-helpful) is what I should have expected!
From Malkoff's sight: "The Dropin is fitted with a wedging assembly for securing in the module after installation. Align the wedging assembly so that the heatsink will slide down into the body tube. You may need to loosen the assembly (with the screw on the top flat surface of the heatsink).
Center the Dropin (LED pointed up) in the body tube and push it straight in. D sized should be about 1/4" +or- below the outer lip of the light body. C sized should be just a hair below flush.
Again Ragiska, since you want to be so helpful, please indicate where in these instructions it states how far the module should sit BEFORE you press it in 1/4 of an inch. I read the instructions.......I even tried removing the wedge and got the same results!
tolkaze
Enlightened
Leave the wedge attached... its meant to be there, but loose. Push the drop in all the way down. Now tighten the screw. This will push the wedge into the body and the dropin won't move.
If you do this, it will end up 1/4 inch +/- from the top lip. You don't have to do anything special other than that
If you do this, it will end up 1/4 inch +/- from the top lip. You don't have to do anything special other than that
and the REST of the page:
"The Dropin is fitted with a wedging assembly for securing in the module after installation. Align the wedging assembly so that the heatsink will slide down into the body tube. You may need to loosen the assembly (with the screw on the top flat surface of the heatsink)."
I know what the wedge is for. When I had observed (after securing the module 1/4" below the outer lip [per the instructions} by tightening the screw that tightens the wedge) that it was not working (on all three lights), I came to the conclusion that there might be a contact problem.
All I am trying to do is eliminate one possibility to why the drop-in won't work. I just need to know how far the module drops down when you set it in the tube (without pushing it down into it).
If the bottom contact on the module does not contact the bottom of the socket because it is too snug, pushing the module down further will also push down the socket (spring loaded) and the module will bottom out on the plastic socket guide (the socket will travel below the top edge of the guide). It would seem to me that you would then have to prevent the socket from going below the top of the socket guide in order to apply enough pressure to overcome the snugness to allow for the proper contact to be made. Example, if the bottom contact of the module remains 1/32nd of an inch from contacting the socket because the drop-in is too tight, pushing it down further will push both in unison (with the gap) until the module hits the socket guide. Am I wrong about this?
All I am trying to do is eliminate one possibility to why the drop-in won't work. I just need to know how far the module drops down when you set it in the tube (without pushing it down into it).
If the bottom contact on the module does not contact the bottom of the socket because it is too snug, pushing the module down further will also push down the socket (spring loaded) and the module will bottom out on the plastic socket guide (the socket will travel below the top edge of the guide). It would seem to me that you would then have to prevent the socket from going below the top of the socket guide in order to apply enough pressure to overcome the snugness to allow for the proper contact to be made. Example, if the bottom contact of the module remains 1/32nd of an inch from contacting the socket because the drop-in is too tight, pushing it down further will push both in unison (with the gap) until the module hits the socket guide. Am I wrong about this?
alpg88
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
- Messages
- 5,659
test drop in out of the light, wire 2 cells and touch body of the drop in, and the spring, make sure tough spring with positive end.
if it wont work, than drop in is burned, i really doubt that you tried 3 mags and did all wrong. installing it is very simple task, and i'm sure you capable of that.
if it wont work, than drop in is burned, i really doubt that you tried 3 mags and did all wrong. installing it is very simple task, and i'm sure you capable of that.
lewong
Newly Enlightened
My drop-in didn't work when I first put it in. I wasn't pushing it down far enough. You have to overcome the spring and push it down until it stops. On my 3D Maglite, the drop-in is about 3/16 (4.7mm) below the edge of the tube. I used the screwdriver to push down on the screw to push the heat sink down as far as it would go while tightening it.
Also the center contact may need to be bent out slightly to insure it makes contact with the center post on the switch.
Also the center contact may need to be bent out slightly to insure it makes contact with the center post on the switch.
Unclemonkey
Newly Enlightened
good grief! Do this, make sure you have batteries installed, turn on the switch and seat the drop in. You don't even need to tighten, just fit it in the tube. It should light up. If not, you have a bad drop in or a screwed up mag. :thinking:
FroggyTaco
Flashlight Enthusiast
Basically have the top of the aluminum heatsink flush with the body of the drop-in & then press down about a 1/4".
Also I am assuming you have removed the parts that retain the stock bulb.
Also are you testing it without the head just to make sure it works before fully assembling the flashlight?
Also I am assuming you have removed the parts that retain the stock bulb.
Also are you testing it without the head just to make sure it works before fully assembling the flashlight?
That is the problem, I need to start applying pressure to the mod at the point it reaches 1/4" ABOVE the rim of the body (IS THIS NORMAL). When I push down, I can tell the socket (because of spring tension) begins to move inward as well. I really wanted to know how far the mod will sit into the socket (in relations to the edge of the tube) before inward force is applied (and yes, the bulb retainer had been removed). The reason I temporarily removed the wedge was to make sure there was no binding from the heatsink.
I assumed Gene's people would have tested these units (since production is so limited) for proper function before they shipped them out to their customers. I guess I will test it when I get home from work and try to contact him for a solution if I can't get it to work.
I thought I would start this thread not only to help resolve this problem for myself (without me breaking something), but also to help someone that might eventually run into the same problem. Because of a couple responses, I actually regret doing so and will refrain from doing it again. However, I really do thank everyone that took the time to give me serious as well as useful suggestions.
RCJay, I signed up for an email alert for this item on Gene's website. I just happened to check my emails last Friday and noticed they were in stock. When I completed my purchase, there were 8 listed and within the following 40 minutes....they were gone. All I can suggest is that you sign up (if you haven't already) and keep checking your email and the website. This may or may not mean anything, but three items I had been waiting for became available on a Thursday or Friday.
I don't want to appear disrespectful but wouldn't it be better to have contacted Gene direct? Gene is known to be one of the most helpful guys around and will suggest options for you to get your light working. At the moment all you've done is made a request for help by bypassing the one person who can resolve the problem for you the quickest.
Respectfully..Doug:twothumbs
Respectfully..Doug:twothumbs
Doug, you are not being disrespectful, in fact I thought about doing that but I did not want to bother him at this time with this issue.
On that note: I have an update: I called my son and asked him to a cut a piece of 5/16" bar stock approximately 1/16th of an inch thick (insulate the edge with a thin band of electrical tape) and insert it into the socket. He did...and has informed me that IT WORKS!:naughty: So appears that in this case, a binding problem must have been preventing the module to drop far enough into the socket (I had previously pushed down the mod until it bottomed out on the socket guide with no results).
Last edited:
PapaGary
Newly Enlightened
I got mine today, plopped it in according to the instructions on the Malkoff site and it works like a charm. My youngest son (college junior home for Spring Break) believes it would probably burn holes in walls. :twothumbs
I got my Malkoff drop-in today. Followed instructions to the tee and had the same results as I read that you, Helios1, had. No light. I had only read your post up and until last evening. So I rushed back to by computer to see what advice or resolution you might have had since then.
First off, all the posts had me wondering if I had seated it far enough. Seemed that I did. But I tried pushing down on that sucker five or six more times just to be sure and still no luck. I was kinda feeling like, for some reason, I was stupid (as some implied). But it was a post from lewong that led me to try prying out the center contact that subsequently resulted in success. And, trust me, I was not comfortable doing that on a $65 investment that did not mention any prying in the instructions.
So I thank you, Helios1, for posting your problem on this forum, because it did help others besides yourself. And I thank you, lewong, for ultimately solving my problem. Now on to enjoying my Malkoff drop-in. Thanks again, y'all.
First off, all the posts had me wondering if I had seated it far enough. Seemed that I did. But I tried pushing down on that sucker five or six more times just to be sure and still no luck. I was kinda feeling like, for some reason, I was stupid (as some implied). But it was a post from lewong that led me to try prying out the center contact that subsequently resulted in success. And, trust me, I was not comfortable doing that on a $65 investment that did not mention any prying in the instructions.
So I thank you, Helios1, for posting your problem on this forum, because it did help others besides yourself. And I thank you, lewong, for ultimately solving my problem. Now on to enjoying my Malkoff drop-in. Thanks again, y'all.
