Peak problems: Flickering and dimming

[dagger10k]

I think I may have some problems with my Peak Mckinley Series. When I turn it on, it often comes on dim, sometimes it flickers, and sometimes does not come on at all. I imagine the problem is a bad electric contact in the threads, but I am not 100% sure. The problems seem to have started when I found that the original lubricant was not quite working anymore, and the turning was getting a little rough. I put a tiny dab of Militec-1 grease on the threads, and that seemed to do the trick, except that it got a little gummy, and a little later the flickering started.

I cleaned the grease, as well as the original lubricant, off with rubbing alcohol, and tried Militec-1, as well as 3 in 1 oil, and none of them work. I have even cleaned the threads off as well as I could with the rubbing alcohol, and put it together, but the flickering still continues. If anyone has any advice as to what to do, if I can fix it myself, I would appreciate it.

 

[kongfuchicken]

This seems obvious but, did you check the batteries?

 

[redcar]

and the battery contacts?

 

[RonM]

I had a flickering X5T that baffled me, and it turned out to be a low battery. So try replacing the batt first and then let's explore other options.

 

[dagger10k]

I replaced the battery, and the problems remain. As of now I have cleaned every contact I can think of, the two at the head, and the one at the - end of the battery with isopropyle alcohol, and it's done no good. The problems remain. I will try once again cleaning every contact completely and see if I can get it to run reliably before putting any lubricant on.

 

[dagger10k]

I have completely cleaned all the contacts I can find in the flashlight with Nevr-Dull, then with isopropyl alcohol, and even with a pencil eraser. The head is now completey unlubricated. It appears to be bare aluminum, and squeaks when I screw it on. The flickering remains. I have tried several different batteries. I know that the head had some kind of lubricant on it when it first arrived, I don't know what it was. Is it possible that that was some kind of special conducting lubricant? Regardless, it should work with just bare aluminum, right? Any help, at all, would be very appreciated at the moment. I really do not want to send in what should be my EDC light into Peak, again.

 

[PJ]

Did you clean the bottom of the barrel where the battery makes contact? I had a similar problem with a 3LED AAA and that seemed to clear it up. I put a drop of alcohol on a Q-tip and spun it around a few times. I have been using silicone grease on mine and it is working fine.

 

[dagger10k]

Yes, I did clean that contact, and the problem still remains. AargH!

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Dagger,

Looks like it is time to give Peak a call...

Let us know what they say.

Tom

 

[dagger10k]

I sent an email to their CS department saying everything I did here. I will see what the reply is.

 

[Everett]

supposedly petroleum jelly is electrically conductive. you may want to try that (although i can't see it being better than bare aluminum)

 

[dagger10k]

I have yet to get a reply from Peak. Does anyone else have any ideas on this? I'm still at a loss.

 

[greenLED]

was the original lubricant electrically conductive? if so and you removed it, that may be the cause of the flickering. You may need to find an electrically conductive grease (one that doesn't melt your o-ring either). I've read a couple of threads mentioning this type of product, but I don't remember any of the names right now. G'luck.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Dagger,

Call them... 877-858-7325

Tom

Edit to add phone number.

 

[matrixshaman]

NyoGel 759G is the electrically conductive gel that one of the members here sells. You can find it on Ebay and elsewhere. But a phone call to Peak at this point sounds in order - the couple times I've called them they have been excellent to deal with.

 

[McShawn]

I have the same problem with a new Peak light, I ordered two, one is fine but one has the same problem.

 

[dagger10k]

They have responded. They say to send it in because they are not entirely sure what it is. I will send it in. They are also going to give me some extra batties by way of compensation. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I must say I have been very impressed by Peak customer service.