Radellaf: You are a mind reader. I've been considering doing just that for quite a while now. I'm pretty sure it is rated to take that much heat and the stuff is very very strong so I don't see why it would not work. I'll try it someday if someone doesn't beat me to it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
PT Surge Bulb Mount Failure ----WARNING!!!---
- Thread starter LEDmodMan
- Start date
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StoneDog
Flashlight Enthusiast
Well, I was tired of waiting so I called up Roger Childs (Asst National Sales Manager). He said he's not aware of this unsoldering problem as a wide-spread or recurring issue and that he just hung two Surges from chandeliers(sp?) as room lights during a recent outage. Pressing him further he did say he removed the reflector/head assemblies because he knew they generated a lot of heat.
I asked if a replacement Surge would experience the same failure and he didn't think so but offered to switch out for a 4c light of similar value that had a captured bulb if I really felt uncertain.
FWIW, he also mentioned the Surge was taken out of production back in November because they had an issue with the switches and needed to find a new source. I wish I would've pressed him more on that because I believe someone posted a message about their Surge's switch failing.
Anyway, I'm not sure what to think. He's not going to come right out and tell me "Yeah, they get too hot for their holders, common problem." and at the same time, he may not have heard of this happening very often.
I think I will send mine in rather than mod it or return it to the store. But, if the second one does this (and I will test it first thing!) it's definitely going to be receiving a 5w Luxeon...
Jon
PS - Not sure how the JB Weld could be used on the front of the board. On mine the bulb's pins just slide into two metal/solder lined holes in the board...
I asked if a replacement Surge would experience the same failure and he didn't think so but offered to switch out for a 4c light of similar value that had a captured bulb if I really felt uncertain.
FWIW, he also mentioned the Surge was taken out of production back in November because they had an issue with the switches and needed to find a new source. I wish I would've pressed him more on that because I believe someone posted a message about their Surge's switch failing.
Anyway, I'm not sure what to think. He's not going to come right out and tell me "Yeah, they get too hot for their holders, common problem." and at the same time, he may not have heard of this happening very often.
I think I will send mine in rather than mod it or return it to the store. But, if the second one does this (and I will test it first thing!) it's definitely going to be receiving a 5w Luxeon...
Jon
PS - Not sure how the JB Weld could be used on the front of the board. On mine the bulb's pins just slide into two metal/solder lined holes in the board...
LEDmodMan
Flashaholic*
StoneDog - Did the guy you talked to indicate that they would be able to replace your Surge under warranty (and get another one)? Are they still making them, or will they replace it with one of 'equal or greater value'? I just want to make sure I'm getting the same thing back before I ship it off to them. THX.
StoneDog
Flashlight Enthusiast
LEDmodMan,
Yes, they are going to replace it under warranty (lifetime warranty!) and yes they are still being produced and will be able to send a replacement right away.
He just sent a follow-up email, I don't think he understood the exact problem until I talked to him earlier this afternoon. Anyway, he too wondered if it was a bad batch of solder (or something to that effect) and reiterated that they haven't received any complaints like this before.
So, all is well in Surge-ville again (at least for me).
If any of you have had similar problems I'd highly recommend that you call PT and talk to them about it. I think I've seen three or four of these problems posted here on CPF, if there are others, please tell them!
Jon
PS - As an aside, I also asked if they were planning on any Luxeon-based lights in the near future. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Can't wait to see what he says.
Yes, they are going to replace it under warranty (lifetime warranty!) and yes they are still being produced and will be able to send a replacement right away.
He just sent a follow-up email, I don't think he understood the exact problem until I talked to him earlier this afternoon. Anyway, he too wondered if it was a bad batch of solder (or something to that effect) and reiterated that they haven't received any complaints like this before.
So, all is well in Surge-ville again (at least for me).
If any of you have had similar problems I'd highly recommend that you call PT and talk to them about it. I think I've seen three or four of these problems posted here on CPF, if there are others, please tell them!
Jon
PS - As an aside, I also asked if they were planning on any Luxeon-based lights in the near future. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Can't wait to see what he says.
[ QUOTE ]
Ted T said:
I potted a bulb with JB Weld for use in a Mag Lite. The JB Weld got so hot that it outgassed and clouded the reflector. I wonder if Portland cement would work.
Ted
[/ QUOTE ]
Hmm... I never thought about that happening. I was just worried about it melting or something. I just wonder if baking it in an oven before use would eliminate this problem?
BTW, has anyone found any heat resistant epoxy yet?
Ted T said:
I potted a bulb with JB Weld for use in a Mag Lite. The JB Weld got so hot that it outgassed and clouded the reflector. I wonder if Portland cement would work.
Ted
[/ QUOTE ]
Hmm... I never thought about that happening. I was just worried about it melting or something. I just wonder if baking it in an oven before use would eliminate this problem?
BTW, has anyone found any heat resistant epoxy yet?
LEDmodMan
Flashaholic*
Cool. I'll drop it in the mail and wait patiently (ya right!) for my replacement.
Unforgiven
Flashlight Enthusiast
I recently replaced my Surge and had a few problems. When I first turned it on after about a minute it started to smoke inside the bezel. I turned it off, took it apart and checked battery polarity and blew the parts off with compressed air (the kind in a can). I put it back together except for the bezel and turned it on again. Again it started to smoke but dissipated after a few minutes. The bulb is also loose when the light is on for an extended period of time (more than a few minutes). I did not experience this with my first Surge. I Emailed PT but got no response.
StoneDog
Flashlight Enthusiast
Give them a call if they're not answering email - or just return the Surge and get a different light.
I wonder if all of these smoking/melting problems are from examples purchased around the same time. I got mine in January, if I remember.
I wonder if all of these smoking/melting problems are from examples purchased around the same time. I got mine in January, if I remember.
Unforgiven
Flashlight Enthusiast
January is when I got mine at the KC Cabelas store........
StoneDog
Flashlight Enthusiast
yeap, that's when I got mine, also from a massive sporting goods store (Bass Pro Shop, Atlanta). Same lot/production run maybe?
LEDmodMan
Flashaholic*
Interesting... I got mine at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World here in Grapevine, TX. Maybe we're onto something here?
StoneDog
Flashlight Enthusiast
Could be, and while I don't claim to know their distribution model, one would assume huge quantities of recently produced lights would be sent to a BPS distribution center (or perhaps straight to the stores?)...
Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if someone from PT is watching this thread. Maybe they'll go ahead and look into.
Either way mine is going back as soon as I get time to make it to the post office. Can't wait for the replacement!
Jon
Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if someone from PT is watching this thread. Maybe they'll go ahead and look into.
Either way mine is going back as soon as I get time to make it to the post office. Can't wait for the replacement!
Jon
LEDmodMan
Flashaholic*
Copy that!
sunspot
Flashlight Enthusiast
I bought three Surge's for a group buy. They were new from PT. This morning, one buyer brought in her Surge to me, saying "It don't work".
Yep, you guessed it. The bulb fell out. I'll try to find some high temp solder.
I got mine in January also.
Anyone have a telephone number for PT?
I still like my Surge!!!!
Yep, you guessed it. The bulb fell out. I'll try to find some high temp solder.
I got mine in January also.
Anyone have a telephone number for PT?
I still like my Surge!!!!
Anarchocap
Enlightened
I can't understand why you guys are trying to goof around trying to fix a problem that can be taken care of with the factory warranty.
There was obviously a production problem, and PT's customer service seems to be fine. Send the lights back for a replacement!
There was obviously a production problem, and PT's customer service seems to be fine. Send the lights back for a replacement!
LEDmodMan
Flashaholic*
Gun_Nut:
I'm sending mine back, just need to make some time to get to the PO.
Sunspot: High temp solder won't help, I already tried.
I'm sending mine back, just need to make some time to get to the PO.
Sunspot: High temp solder won't help, I already tried.
StoneDog
Flashlight Enthusiast
I'd have to agree with Gun Nut, don't try to fix it - just send it back. PT needs to hear from from everyone that experiences the bulb-drop problem.
I'm still considering buying another to mod though. I don't think anyone here has done it yet. I'd bet you could replace one bank of AA's with enough Cu or Al to properly sink a 5watt LS... Oops, wrong forum - I'll be quiet.
Jon
I'm still considering buying another to mod though. I don't think anyone here has done it yet. I'd bet you could replace one bank of AA's with enough Cu or Al to properly sink a 5watt LS... Oops, wrong forum - I'll be quiet.
Jon
sunspot
Flashlight Enthusiast
StoneDog, do you have Roger Childs email address?
TIA
TIA
StoneDog
Flashlight Enthusiast
sunspot - email sent
