I got this PM from a member, and thought I might as well post it as a topic in case others run into something like this:
CPF Member, I feel your pain, and consider it part of the learning process which will benefit you in the future.
Couple things to check in order.
CPF Member said:
CPF Member, I feel your pain, and consider it part of the learning process which will benefit you in the future.
Couple things to check in order.
1) Double check you have every battery inserted the correct direction and ends of pack holder are lined up correctly. Follow the direction of the batteries through the contacts to make sure it makes sense that all 9 cells are in series, rather than one stack of 3 not being included. It is possible to screw this up if the holder ends are not lined up correctly.
2) What kind of AA cells? Most of them will work, as the 1185 only needs about 3.5Amps but still some cheap cells suck.
3) Check individual voltage of each cell. Even better if you have a battery tester which puts a little load on the cells.
4) Make sure ends of cells are clean. Use green scratch pad (like for dishes), or very find sandpaper if necessary.
5) Same on FM's holder contacts. They can have oxidation, dirt, or grease that interferes. Get them cleaned until you see shiny metal. Some of his contacts are not at the proper level on end caps and may not be making full contact. Make sure all battery stacks are tight and secure, with no slack.
6) Clean outside of battery holder top & bottom, and clean surfaces of tailcap spring where it makes contact with holder and tailcap.
7) Either add up the voltage you got from testing each cell, or put them end to end and get your voltage battery reading outside of holder.
8) Put in holder and see if you get the same voltage. You should. If not, then one of the contact points in his holder is not making a good contact.
9) If all that checks out, then you need a way to check voltage at bipin slots of KIU. You can put paper clips in and touch DMM leads to those after turning on power. The battery voltage should be the same at bipins without a bulb. If not, then it is possible that tightening the tailcap spring has twisted the battery holder in a way that it is not making contact with all cells.
10) If you suspect the spring twisting issue in #9, you may be able to counteract it with even tighter screw down of cap. To be sure:
2) What kind of AA cells? Most of them will work, as the 1185 only needs about 3.5Amps but still some cheap cells suck.
3) Check individual voltage of each cell. Even better if you have a battery tester which puts a little load on the cells.
4) Make sure ends of cells are clean. Use green scratch pad (like for dishes), or very find sandpaper if necessary.
5) Same on FM's holder contacts. They can have oxidation, dirt, or grease that interferes. Get them cleaned until you see shiny metal. Some of his contacts are not at the proper level on end caps and may not be making full contact. Make sure all battery stacks are tight and secure, with no slack.
6) Clean outside of battery holder top & bottom, and clean surfaces of tailcap spring where it makes contact with holder and tailcap.
7) Either add up the voltage you got from testing each cell, or put them end to end and get your voltage battery reading outside of holder.
8) Put in holder and see if you get the same voltage. You should. If not, then one of the contact points in his holder is not making a good contact.
9) If all that checks out, then you need a way to check voltage at bipin slots of KIU. You can put paper clips in and touch DMM leads to those after turning on power. The battery voltage should be the same at bipins without a bulb. If not, then it is possible that tightening the tailcap spring has twisted the battery holder in a way that it is not making contact with all cells.
10) If you suspect the spring twisting issue in #9, you may be able to counteract it with even tighter screw down of cap. To be sure:
- Insert bulb in KIU
- Turn off switch
- Put battery pack in tube
- Keep tailcap off, and push cells forward with your finger, then use a paperclip or screwdriver to make a contact between bottom of pack and inside of Mag body.
- Turn on switch and see if full, bright light. If so, then the problem is from tailcap spring twisting the pack and loosening contact.
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