Too Much For AW's Soft Start Switch?

[TKO]

I am at a loss and need a little help.

I put together a 5D with five A123 26650's housed in a 1" schedule 40 PVC and shortened the tailcap spring after de-anodizing the tailcap interior. The batteries were aligned so that the positive (non-post) ends faced the tailcap. I put a Osram 64633 150 watt bulb on top and screwed things together. The light came on by itself . . . no switch input, when the spring compressed. The switch will not turn the light off or change output. It is like the switch is bypassed.

AW says that his switch is good "up to 150W", so I thought I was good to go. Is the 12+ amps too much?

The light is insanely bright, but I would like to be able to turn it on and off without having to turn the tailcap.

Any ideas guys?

Mods - Please delete duplicate post in Incan Forum Thanks

 

[TKO]

Problem solved by response by AW! Reverse polarity and things work fine.

 

[Mr Happy]

So out of curiosity, why did you put the batteries in backwards in the first place? It seems like an odd thing to do, especially since there could have been a risk of damaging the expensive soft start switch...

 

[LuxLuthor]

I'm sure it is because the A123 cells look like other cells, and with standard spring contacts, it would be logical to put the isolated flat button terminal into the light the same way....only polarity is reversed in this cell, with the can being the positive.

In addition, most average flashlight users would not understand the requirement of polarity in a PWM switch.

 

[TKO]

I'm sure it is because the A123 cells look like other cells, and with standard spring contacts, it would be logical to put the isolated flat button terminal into the light the same way....only polarity is reversed in this cell, with the can being the positive.

In addition, most average flashlight users would not understand the requirement of polarity in a PWM switch.

Lux,

You hit the nail right on the head.

Because of the 1/2" or so diameter of the negative post, I went with a variation of Northern Lights tail spring modification. The 64633 is extremely bright, but with 12+ amp draw it is very hungry, also. I will, most likely, be switching over to the Osram 64447 IRC when I get tired of squinting.

What I like most about the light is that it looks stock upon a cusory inspection and then BAM lots o' lumens.

The A123's make for an extremely light 5D package, also.