Problems with modded KL1

[albert]

I'm currently facing a problematic modded KL1 unit can suddenly dim down like nobody business. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

Tonight at a flashlight gathering, I'm left with a unusable KL1, feeling very pissed, i came home early and took out the S017XA reflector and use a cotton bud tip to lightly press the board which the 3W emitter is sitting on, the emitter immediately light up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/Christo_pull_hair.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/Christo_pull_hair.gif

Anyone else facing a similar problem with their modded KL1? Please teach me what to do. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif

 

[albert]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/awman.gif

no one can help???

 

[shiftd]

Maybe it is cold solder joint? have you check the connection from and into both the emitter and the board?

 

[milkyspit]

This may be stating the obvious, but your 123 cell might be close to dead. I've noticed that the KL1 will startup bright but dim suddenly when the cell is pretty depleted. If you were to turn off the light for a minute or so, then turn on again, the same thing would happen. If that sounds like your situation, you might try a 123 cell that you know is fresh!

Anyway, please forgive these comments if they seem to be offending your intelligence. Just wanted to make sure you considered this possibility.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

 

[KevinL]

My unmodded KL1 will sometimes appear very dim and flicker when I press the stock tailswitch (Z52 LOTC). I solved the problem by tightening the LOTC, not to the point where I lock it on, but maybe half a turn to one more turn, then the momentary switch works well. It may not be the source of your problem but then sometimes problems hide in unexpected places. There is a point where the tailcap is in a position that isn't yet locked out, but is too far away from the battery to make a good connection.

 

[flashlight]

I assume you have PM'ed the person who did the mod for you already for advice..

 

[Fat]

sounds like a connection problem.something is loose somewhere, u just gotta find it and fix it.It might even be a faulty/frayed wires thats causing the problem sometimes in these cases.

 

[tylerdurden]

I did the mod, and he has PM'd me. I can't think of what would be causing this, though a bad solder joint does sound plausible. I suggested he post here for ideas before to see if anyone could suggest something easy to try before we went through the trouble of shipping it all the way to the US for an overhaul and then all the way back to him in Singapore.

If it's not something as simple as a dead battery, try it on both 1x123 and 2x123 (to test both the buck and boost modes of the converter) to see if the results are similar.

 

[SJACKAL]

Try cleaning the contact point between body and tailcap, the part that contacts when the tailcap is screwed in... ?

 

[albert]

Fat was with me when my KL1 was not functioning, he witness everything. I even borrow Pjandyho's E1e and put my KL1 on it, not working too.

I went home and took out the bezel and reflector, use a cotton bud tip to lightly press the board which the LED was sitting on, the LED lighted up immediately.

Then i put the KL1 onto another 1x123 body, it's not working again, then i shake the KL1, it lighted up again but very dim even with new battery, so i took out the bezel and press on the rim of the reflector, it went into full blast. So i slowly remove the KL1 from that 1x123 body and put it back to my E1e. Now it is working fine but i dare not EDC it anymore, i'm afraid if i accidentally shake it again, it may not work again.

Something is definately loose inside. I still thinking whether to sent back to Tylerdurden to repair.

 

[tylerdurden]

Yeah, I think there's gotta be a bad solder joint. Send it back to me, and I'll either fix it or give you your money back.

 

[albert]

Please PM me your address. I'll be senting it out in a Registered Airmail. Please try your best to fix it, i really like it a lot.

 

[tylerdurden]

PM sent.