Propoly issues

[jackson5]

I have three propoly's and they are my most used lights right behind my G2's. I like the color of the propoly's, the size/ergonomics, the fact that they don't roll away when I set them down, the clicky switch etc. I went to use one of the propoly's the other day and found one of them doa, one was very dim, and one worked fine.

PP #1 (7 led model) = doa. Inspection revealed brown burn marks around perimiter of led head and brown goopy stuff throughout the body and pooled at the base on the contacts of the clicky switch. Couldn't find any real good way to clean the goop out of the body and the switch model so I tossed it in the trash (kept the led module and head).

PP #2 (single luxen led, sp? the bright beam one) = very, very dim. Inspection revealed no leaking batteries, led module seemed fine except for what looked like some greenish/whitish corrison on the side where the silver plastic meets the balck plastic. The switch springs look clean but there is just a hint of shiney clear stuff down in the little channel of the switch base
So I:
- put in known good batteries = no joy, still dim
- used compressed air to blow out body and clicky switch workings = still dim.

pp #3 (single luxen) = works fine. Then I...

- again verified that the test batteries used were good

- installed the burnt 7led module and the dim luxen head in the good pp#3 and they both worked fine.

- installed the good luxen module out of pp #3 into pp #2 and it too went dim.

Looks like there is a problem with the body/switch in pp #2, and I'm assuming it has to be with the switch. Even though there is no presence of leaking battery stuff on the walls of the body, maybe the shiny stuff I see at the bottom on the switch assembly is shorting out the two battery contact springs? I used a long handled Q-tip to clean it up and it looks clean now but that did not help the matter.

So I went from 3 working lights to 1 working light. Thought maybe some folks could shed some light on these units as I really like them but am wondering about reliability now.

- The 7 led module stills works fine but is sure burned around the perimeter of the housing, is this normal? Do these lights run hot?

- Is there anything else I can try to salvage the switch assembly in pp #2? Can this part be replaced? It sure looks like it cannot be replaced and is pressed or glued into the body?

- Any other reports of issues with this light before I go and buy more?

Thanks

 

[OceanView]

:welcome:

ProPoly 7-LED, yes! I still use mine, too. Question, though, so what was that goopy stuff? Did the batteries leak? Or did something melt?

 

[BIGIRON]

Streamlight has lifetime warranty and excellent customer service. Don't try to ressurect them, just return them for warranty repair or replacement. Obviously, if the problem was leaking batteries the warranty wouldn't apply.

 

[jackson5]

:welcome:

ProPoly 7-LED, yes! I still use mine, too. Question, though, so what was that goopy stuff? Did the batteries leak? Or did something melt?

Yep, in pp#1 there was definitely battery leakage.

PP#2 that is dim didn't look like it had battery leakage and the batteries I took out of it didn't appear to be leaking, but it still doesn't work right.

 

[louie]

You can try to get the battery manufacturer to refund the cost of the lights for leaking batteries, as most have a guarantee for this. Too bad you tossed #1. Usually you have to mail the light in, I think.

If you want to explore anyway, the switch on Propolys is easily removed. The rubber button cover needs to be gripped very firmly around the perimeter of its base. Inside the rubber is a ringnut that threads around the switch neck. Unscrew the rubber with ring, and the switch with springs falls out, leaving an empty plastic tube. You can clean the tube completely, maybe even the switch if it's not too corroded. Or contact Streamlight and see about replacement switches - they may even send some out for nothing. I got a couple of rubber covers just for emailing them.

The 7 LED Propoly was notorious for overdriving the LEDs and I think the brown burnt look is likely normal. Mine was lost when my car got stolen and I don't have that problem anymore.

There should be no goopy fluids of any color is a good light. I think you had battery leakage in both cases.

 

[jackson5]

If you want to explore anyway, the switch on Propolys is easily removed. The rubber button cover needs to be gripped very firmly around the perimeter of its base. Inside the rubber is a ringnut that threads around the switch neck. Unscrew the rubber with ring, and the switch with springs falls out, leaving an empty plastic tube. You can clean the tube completely, maybe even the switch if it's not too corroded. Or contact Streamlight and see about replacement switches - they may even send some out for nothing. I got a couple of rubber covers just for emailing them.

Thanks, I'll give that a try. I suspect you are correct, probably battery leakage in pp#2, just not as noticeable as #1. The body for #1 is still in the trash can so I'll pull it out and see if I can remove the switches from both #1 & #2 and clean them up. Any special cleaning fluid to use when trying to clean up the battery leakage mess? Just some 409 or something?

Thanks

 

[louie]

This sounds like alkaline battery leakage, and it doesn't do much to plastic so it should dissolve and wash right out with water and a toothbrush. The switch is likely another matter. Any metal may be too corroded to clean up and get working, especially inside the switch body. I never took my switch apart, so I don't know if that is feasible. If not, I'd ask Streamlight for new switches. Even if they want to charge a few bucks, it may be worth it.