I have been using a new Fenix L2D-q5 since Sept.-08. I has worked great.
It suffered a fall from a moving bicycle to pavement a month or more ago - it seemed to work fine when I checked it and I went on with using it. But since perhaps about then or somewhat after the brightest mode has not been lasting for more than 30min or so, switches to low mode even on fresh batteries.
At first I did not correlate the drop and the change in performance, I assumed it was worn/old NiMH batteries. I bought a maha c9000 and new Sanyo 2700mah batteries conditioned then and had same issue (and found my older batteries were as good as new. I know I could have tested w/Alkaline, but wanted the charger anyway)
Recently the issue got worse, high mode only lasted a few minutes, then seconds, then not all all, just a brief flashing of lights, or low mode no matter the button presses. (but still would flash in that mode, but low) I cleaned contacts (battery and housing) with no change.
In desperation (I needed light to get home) I whacked it moderately on a wooden table. Amazingly it fixed all issues and even high mode worked great. Highest mode worked for at least 40min with stability even on a vibrating bicycle, haven't checked more than that.
This is not a long term fix, nor reliable of course.
Any suggestions to repair short of sending to Fenix for repair. I am good with electronics, but not surface mount (not sure what is inside as I have not opened it or if it is possible to do so) I am not against sending it back for repair of course, unless there is something relatively easy to check for and re-solder or otherwise fix.
I will in parallel buy a new Fenix light. I believe the nearest 1:1 replacement is the L20+. Are there other high output AAx2 models to consider that a similar to L2D? I have not kept up with latest since September.
Thanks-
Al
It suffered a fall from a moving bicycle to pavement a month or more ago - it seemed to work fine when I checked it and I went on with using it. But since perhaps about then or somewhat after the brightest mode has not been lasting for more than 30min or so, switches to low mode even on fresh batteries.
At first I did not correlate the drop and the change in performance, I assumed it was worn/old NiMH batteries. I bought a maha c9000 and new Sanyo 2700mah batteries conditioned then and had same issue (and found my older batteries were as good as new. I know I could have tested w/Alkaline, but wanted the charger anyway)
Recently the issue got worse, high mode only lasted a few minutes, then seconds, then not all all, just a brief flashing of lights, or low mode no matter the button presses. (but still would flash in that mode, but low) I cleaned contacts (battery and housing) with no change.
In desperation (I needed light to get home) I whacked it moderately on a wooden table. Amazingly it fixed all issues and even high mode worked great. Highest mode worked for at least 40min with stability even on a vibrating bicycle, haven't checked more than that.
This is not a long term fix, nor reliable of course.
Any suggestions to repair short of sending to Fenix for repair. I am good with electronics, but not surface mount (not sure what is inside as I have not opened it or if it is possible to do so) I am not against sending it back for repair of course, unless there is something relatively easy to check for and re-solder or otherwise fix.
I will in parallel buy a new Fenix light. I believe the nearest 1:1 replacement is the L20+. Are there other high output AAx2 models to consider that a similar to L2D? I have not kept up with latest since September.
Thanks-
Al