Help!!!!!!!! I can't open a flashlight

JonSidneyB

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 22, 2001
Messages
3,423
Location
Greenfield In
Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

I have a D cell body for an ARC-LS head. The part where the ARC head screws on comes off to change the battery. I used one of those things that uses a rubber strap to torque things off. I broke two of them on this. Does anyone have any suggestions???
 

LEDmodMan

Flashaholic*
Joined
Feb 12, 2003
Messages
1,719
Location
Over a MILE high, CO
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

Get a better strap wrench??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

You're pretty limited if you don't want to risk marking/damaging the part...
 

mut

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 13, 2003
Messages
1,281
Location
OK
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

You can try using a couple of pieces of leather and fold it over itself like a strap wrench. (I used to use a leather belt to get my oil filter off, that way)I should be a little tougher than the rubber. If that doesn't work you can get a plumbers strap wrench. It has a nylon like strap.
Hope this can help /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif
 

Charles Bradshaw

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 14, 2002
Messages
2,495
Location
Mansfield, OH
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

How about channel locks with cloth between the D cell holder and the pliers? The cloth is to protect the pack and the channel locks are to give you a much better grip and leverage.
 

mahoney

Enlightened
Joined
Jan 7, 2002
Messages
603
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

This method has worked for me on a few occasions. Take a block of wood and drill or cut a hole in it the same diameter as the round or cylindrical object. Then saw the block in half through the hole producing two blocks each having a half-circular groove in it. Then clamp the round object in the bench vise between the wood blocks. Sometimes it helps to wrap a bit of rubber or friction tape around the object before clamping. If a strap wrench on the other part isn't working and you need to use two sets of blocks to open something, you can clamp the other set with a carpenter's handscrew or a couple of c-clamps. So long as you don't crush your cylinder you can generate a lot of turning force with this method without leaving a mark .
 

JonSidneyB

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 22, 2001
Messages
3,423
Location
Greenfield In
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

argggg, it won't open.

I was wondering, this battery as been in this body for about 6 months. This light I think is air tight. I wounder if internal pressure is causing thread lock.
Do you think getting it cold in a freezer then just getting the cap warm might loosen it up. I was also wondering if I should drill a tiny hole in the bottom to relieve any internal pressure is a good idea. I have heard of those hydrogen build up nightmares with a single AAA, I am thinking a D Cell would make a better bomb yet.
 

kakster

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 6, 2003
Messages
1,903
Location
London, UK
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

Usually, a bit of heat applied to the part with the female threads works for most things(makes it expand a little). Not sure its a wise thing to do if you think you have hydrogen gas in there.
 

Rothrandir

Flashaholic
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
7,795
Location
US
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

what exactly is the problem? the threads are too tight?
 

Wits' End

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 27, 2001
Messages
2,327
Location
Remote NEast Minnesota, next to Lake Superior
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

I'd try putting it in the freezer. It won't hurt it. If that doesn't do it try the freezer then putting it in hot water (NOT boiling). I don't think the thermal shock will hurt the insides.
I hope that helps, it sounds well stuck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 

MR Bulk

Flashaholic
Joined
Aug 12, 2002
Messages
6,059
Location
Hawaii
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

Be careful, I remember my Arc AAAA (mod battery tube from CNC Dan I believe it was) popped like a checker bomb upon opening when I screwed it on snugly and let it sit for a few weeks. Not knowing where to get those little gas-absorption pills to put one in there, I now leave the head loose when I am not using it at least intermittently.

Drilling a tiny hole sounds like a good idea (wearing goggles); if done neatly and hydrogen build-up is the culprit here, it will never happen again with the "relief valve" you just "installed" using your drill.
 

chamenos

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 2, 2002
Messages
2,141
Location
Singapore
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

or the batteries might have leaked, corroding the threads and fusing the head and battery tube together.
 

tvodrd

*Flashaholic* ,
Joined
Dec 13, 2002
Messages
4,987
Location
Hawthorne, NV
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

I second chamenos. It would take a hellava lot of pressure to keep you from turning it. I would recommend a couple cycles of freeze/heat (propane torch to *just* sizzle when you spit.) Also, you could tighten a worm gear hose clamp (radiator hose type) around the cap and apply a pipe wrench to the outside of the clamp. The wood blocks in the vise are a good idea for the body. You can use some rosin to increase the grip. Good luck!

Larry
 

TheBeam

Enlightened
Joined
Jul 18, 2003
Messages
365
Location
Seattle
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

Try some oil, and get Craftsman strap wrenches. (free replacements)
 

JonSidneyB

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 22, 2001
Messages
3,423
Location
Greenfield In
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

thanks, since this is an inside only light. I will drill it first and see if anything vents. Then I will try all the ideas from the mildest to the most extream until I get it done. This thing made a great light for some purposes. A D cell will run and ARC rev 1 a real long time.
 

chamenos

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 2, 2002
Messages
2,141
Location
Singapore
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

if the battery did leak it might have eaten up the circuit board of the LS head...good luck; i hope that's not the case /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sick.gif
 

Charles Bradshaw

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 14, 2002
Messages
2,495
Location
Mansfield, OH
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

Chamenos, these packs don't let the battery touch the Arc LS head at all. They can't, as C and D cells are way too big to fit in the LS head. Duh!
 

chamenos

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 2, 2002
Messages
2,141
Location
Singapore
Re: Help!!!!!!!! I can\'t open a flashlight

charles, i was not aware of how the battery tube was constructed so it wasn't that obvious to me that the batteries would not be able to corrode the circuit board. i was suggesting one of the possible ways a leaking battery could ruin a light with a more conventional design.
 
Top