My Huntlight FT-01PJ crapped out on me!!!!!

[lednut]

I just recieved mt Huntlight FT-01PJ from Lighthound today.I loaded it with the AW 3.0v protected cells and it ran for a minute or so and then went out. I figured the regulation in the cells kicked in, so I loaded up some Ultrafire 3.7v unprotected cells and it was very dim. So then I loaded up some Streamlight 3v primaries and it was sill dim.Then I took the whole thing apart and measured 6.1V at the head with the switch on. So I put it all back together and it was still dim,unscrewed and screwed various parts and got nothing. Now after working the clickie 20 times it no longer works on any batteries. Am I doing something wrong? Is the regulation fried?Do I need to wait for the regulation to cool down? Did I get a dud and now have to go through the painful process of return shipping? To avoid the latter,please let me know what I did wrong. Has anybody run into this problem? Help!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited about this purchase.....

 

[EngrPaul]

My first one died the day I received it probably 10 minutes of running. It behaved flaky and would cut in and out based on how you would hold it. Eventually the light coming out of the unit was blue, and then died with a flicker.

The replacement has been running strong.

 

[Nake]

My FT-01SXE did the same thing, first day. No problems with replacement.

 

[jsr]

The one I bought my bro-in-law died in one day also. It was retardedly bright!...but that was because it was overdriving the LED (something was wrong with the regulator/driver). Eventually, it fried and I got a replacement LED module from Huntlight which has worked great since. You should be able to get a replacement LED module instead of having to return the whole light. I don't believe anything else in the light can go wrong. Contact John at Lighthound and see what he can do.

 

[chevrofreak]

The LED/circuit module can be screwed too tightly into the reflector causing the leads on the side of the LED to short out against the reflector. Check to make sure yours isnt shorted out.

 

[EngrPaul]

chevro's right. I added some epoxy to my emitter tails when upgrading to a Seoul LED. This is a danger spot for shorting.

Also check the following area where the (+) terminal is for the battery. Mine was full of flux, and a piece of solder was trapped where it could short the battery connections. This picture was from the Huntlight that died.

 

[lednut]

Sorry it took so long to get back. I see the contact point that can be made with the emitter leads against the reflector. There are witness marks where it has been touching. I guess it is too late now, a regulation circuit can only withstand shorting a power to a ground for so long. If I had only knew,I would have backed off the reflector or tapered the hole to begin with. No evidence of solder on the backside shorting + to -. I have now tried running it with the reflector backed off,no good.

An e-mail to John at Lighthound last night at 9:45 pm got a reply 5 minutes later informing me that a replacement was on the way with postage paid return envelope.What service especially that time at night! Lighthound is a top-notch operation! Thank you guys for all the suggestions. Now I know what to look for on the next one I recieve.

 

[EngrPaul]

They might test it at the factory, but in the interim the leads can drift toward the reflector because the o-ring relaxes.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

I would return it for a replacement

 

[lednut]

Dang,here you guys are modding these up with Crees and whatnot an I am just trying to get a lowly 3w lux to work! How far behind am I? A replacement is on the way. Should I leave it be or hotrod it? How would I make it better? 70 lumens from an led is an upgrade for me.