I modded one of these, and took several measures to try to eliminate the flickering issue while running.
This flashlight has a 3AAA cartridge, tail clicky, spring contacts, and interfaces between aluminum. All could be sources of flickering.
I was concerned that the (+) contact of the 3AAA depended on electrical conduction through a small steel spring. This spring is redundant, since there is already a larger spring in the tailcap. I soldered a wire there instead, creating a a better electrical connection.
Still, the flickering persisted.
Another member suggested the problem is in the tailcap. I think he/she is on the right track.
There is a aluminum ring that turns down on a printed circuit board with a solder-plated pad all around it's perimeter. This board has a switch on it. From there, a metal spring is soldered to the board.
This tailcap setup is working fine in flashlights like the LILL and VINET, but for some reason it's not working properly in the BLIMP.
Here's my theory: In the LILL and VINET, the metal ring compresses down on the printed circuit board, which rests on the flange of the rubber button cover. The compression of the rubber provides a compliant reaction force that continually presses the solder ring to the aluminum ring, therefore maintaining contact force necessary for a stable electrical connection.
In the BLIMP, I figure the printed circuit board probably does not rest on the rubber flange of the tailcap button. Therefore, there is no compliant material to provide a reaction spring effect. The connection between the aluminum and solder ring is not stable, causing the flickering.
If this theory is true, by placing a properly-sized o-ring or donut of thin rubber under the printed circuit board should stop the flickering for good.
I don't have a BLIMP anymore, but I'd like to know if this is a solution. Does anyone have a BLIMP? Can you try this out and see if it works?
Thanks 🙂
This flashlight has a 3AAA cartridge, tail clicky, spring contacts, and interfaces between aluminum. All could be sources of flickering.
I was concerned that the (+) contact of the 3AAA depended on electrical conduction through a small steel spring. This spring is redundant, since there is already a larger spring in the tailcap. I soldered a wire there instead, creating a a better electrical connection.
Still, the flickering persisted.
Another member suggested the problem is in the tailcap. I think he/she is on the right track.
There is a aluminum ring that turns down on a printed circuit board with a solder-plated pad all around it's perimeter. This board has a switch on it. From there, a metal spring is soldered to the board.
This tailcap setup is working fine in flashlights like the LILL and VINET, but for some reason it's not working properly in the BLIMP.
Here's my theory: In the LILL and VINET, the metal ring compresses down on the printed circuit board, which rests on the flange of the rubber button cover. The compression of the rubber provides a compliant reaction force that continually presses the solder ring to the aluminum ring, therefore maintaining contact force necessary for a stable electrical connection.
In the BLIMP, I figure the printed circuit board probably does not rest on the rubber flange of the tailcap button. Therefore, there is no compliant material to provide a reaction spring effect. The connection between the aluminum and solder ring is not stable, causing the flickering.
If this theory is true, by placing a properly-sized o-ring or donut of thin rubber under the printed circuit board should stop the flickering for good.
I don't have a BLIMP anymore, but I'd like to know if this is a solution. Does anyone have a BLIMP? Can you try this out and see if it works?
Thanks 🙂
