Burnt out part on Cree?

poiman12

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Sep 2, 2010
Messages
2
Hi all, I purchased a high intensity Cree LED flashlight a while ago, and when I was tinkering with it, a plastic ring separating the + and - leads from the battery to the LED and the metallic reflector fell out and I turned the light on without knowing it. I'm guessing I shorted something out, because now only my low intensity and strobe modes work, and even they are really dim (it has a high, low, and strobe mode). When I select high intensity, it just dimly flashes for a split second then stops emitting any light. My battery (1850) seems to still be fine since it still can reach its full charge at ~4.2V. Is my LED burned out, or could some other component be causing this problem?
 

low

Enlightened
Joined
Mar 15, 2011
Messages
227
and when I was tinkering with it,
Ahh man, have you not heard the silver rule of electrical stuff? "Thou shalt not tinker with it, unless you know what your doing"

Now I do belive you be a needing a new driver as well as a new LED. You up to modding a flashlight? Perhaps you can tell us what you have and someone can tell you what to get if you want to fix it. Or perhaps buy another flashlight and you could use the old parts.

Low
 

qwertyydude

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Messages
1,115
Sound more like the insulating ring the goes between the reflector and star. If you could remove the reflector entirely and try it again to see if it works. Sometimes you'll find it's not burned out because of either the regulator board just cutting out or the over current protection on the battery kicking in. So try turning on the light with the reflector removed. If you need a new plastic ring you can usually cut one out of some cardstock and punch a hole in it with a hole puncher. But it needs the insulating ring so the + and - don't short out on the reflector.
 

poiman12

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Sep 2, 2010
Messages
2
Thanks for the welcome and fast responses!
It was the insulating ring that came off. Luckily I found it and put it back. I also tried turning the flashlight on without the reflector with the same results. What parts do you think need to be replaced? Is the driver part of the circuit I found beneath the LED? Attached are pictures of the flashlight, the LED, and the PCB underneath. I'm still getting my feet wet with electronics, so sorry if I sound a little clueless. I guess if anything this is a good learning experience!

http://img4.imageshack.us/i/dsc05003x.jpg
http://img707.imageshack.us/i/dsc05007c.jpg
http://img88.imageshack.us/i/dsc05012p.jpg
 
Top