durallymax
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2013
- Messages
- 20
I purchased an H600w Zebralight a little over a year ago. After a week or two it started getting pretty finnicky and quit before I got to use it for a month. I wasn't a heavy user at the time. Talked with Zebralight and they said the batteries were likely the issue, they said to buy some batteries from them first and try them but that the board could be damaged from using too long of a battery already. I didn't look into it much more after that, just set it to the side. Got busy with a lot of other stuff and forgot about it. Decided to try getting it working a few months ago and realized the batteries I had were fine and shorter than the specs allowed. Tried all of the tricks, even waiting for a solar eclipse while pointing the light north and clicking it on at midnight. Nothing would get it to work, different batteries did nothing either so I set it to the side again and ordered an H602w.
The H602w is more what I need for everyday work as a mechanic anyways, the flood with nuetral color and no hotspot is great for up close work. Obviously the trade off to that is barely being able to see the dog at the end of its leash at night. I figured i'd try to fix the H600w for use when outdoors and not working. I searched and read what I could find about disassembling these things. Most of the threads were older models, a few more closely related to the H600 but the general consensus was you cannot/shouldn't disassemble one. If you decide to disassemble one you have to damage something, the best way is to break the glass in order to remove the retaining ring/bezel. With a link to a new piece of glass for a dollar or so I wasn't worried, but I hate going through everything to order stuff and waiting even though I am in no hurry and probably will not have this thing working for another year yet. I know absolutely nothing about flashlight modding or disassembly, just like new challenges and figuring out how to take things apart. I was surprised how easy this was and that I didn't find a thread somewhere mentioning how to do it, makes me think I must have screwed something up, but here's how I disassembled my H600w without so much as a scratch. I can't confirm what other models this will work on, but I would assume a number of similar generation Zebralights would be similar.
You will need a pick, a small slotted screwdriver and a #0 phillips.
1. Take battery out, leave cap off. You will need it off later to remove the guts.
2. Using the tool of your choice, get underneath the bezel for the switch. Be careful not to tear rubber, but there is a lot of room to slide a sharp object in there. I use an o ring pick like you can get at any store. Needs some beef to it but needs to be slim. Work your way around until it pops out. Mine came out pretty easy but it did take some force to get it moving.
3. Next you will be removing the glass and bezel without touching them. Underneath the rubber is the switch and its "hole". Theres two wires soldered to it, carefully work the switch towards the lens side of the light so you have room to slip your slotted driver under it. You should see one of the brass mounting screws from the side as well as the emitter and base of the reflector. What I did was use the screw as a fulcrum and put pressure on the reflector making sure I didn't hit the emitter. Using the screw as a fulcrum ensures nothing will be damaged underneath. Be ready to catch it or put some tape across it to catch the lens and bezel. My bezel shot off and glass stayed stuck to reflector with o ring.
4. The last step is pretty simple, remove the two screws using a phillips. The guts all come out through the battery tube so start by loosening up the brain board. Mine had a little bit of stuff on it, I know some others differ, My H602w looked a lot different from the battery side. Once you get it sliding free, help the switch through its hole and then the entire works will slide out with ease.
Somebody tell me what I did wrong, or that I missed a thread somewhere. Seemed too easy, maybe many other models are harder. For those looking to do this, it was as easy as it looks. I have never messed with a flashlight before. I work on heavy equipment for the most part and while I'm not a caveman, finesse is something I use much less of in a day than many other professions. Just take your time and if it doesn't feel right don't force it.
I guess this leaves my question now, what do I mod this with and/or what should I be testing to figure out why it doesn't work. I could probably take the time to get it figured out but if somebody else has been into one I see no need to do the work twice.
Thanks in advance.
The H602w is more what I need for everyday work as a mechanic anyways, the flood with nuetral color and no hotspot is great for up close work. Obviously the trade off to that is barely being able to see the dog at the end of its leash at night. I figured i'd try to fix the H600w for use when outdoors and not working. I searched and read what I could find about disassembling these things. Most of the threads were older models, a few more closely related to the H600 but the general consensus was you cannot/shouldn't disassemble one. If you decide to disassemble one you have to damage something, the best way is to break the glass in order to remove the retaining ring/bezel. With a link to a new piece of glass for a dollar or so I wasn't worried, but I hate going through everything to order stuff and waiting even though I am in no hurry and probably will not have this thing working for another year yet. I know absolutely nothing about flashlight modding or disassembly, just like new challenges and figuring out how to take things apart. I was surprised how easy this was and that I didn't find a thread somewhere mentioning how to do it, makes me think I must have screwed something up, but here's how I disassembled my H600w without so much as a scratch. I can't confirm what other models this will work on, but I would assume a number of similar generation Zebralights would be similar.
You will need a pick, a small slotted screwdriver and a #0 phillips.
1. Take battery out, leave cap off. You will need it off later to remove the guts.
2. Using the tool of your choice, get underneath the bezel for the switch. Be careful not to tear rubber, but there is a lot of room to slide a sharp object in there. I use an o ring pick like you can get at any store. Needs some beef to it but needs to be slim. Work your way around until it pops out. Mine came out pretty easy but it did take some force to get it moving.
3. Next you will be removing the glass and bezel without touching them. Underneath the rubber is the switch and its "hole". Theres two wires soldered to it, carefully work the switch towards the lens side of the light so you have room to slip your slotted driver under it. You should see one of the brass mounting screws from the side as well as the emitter and base of the reflector. What I did was use the screw as a fulcrum and put pressure on the reflector making sure I didn't hit the emitter. Using the screw as a fulcrum ensures nothing will be damaged underneath. Be ready to catch it or put some tape across it to catch the lens and bezel. My bezel shot off and glass stayed stuck to reflector with o ring.
4. The last step is pretty simple, remove the two screws using a phillips. The guts all come out through the battery tube so start by loosening up the brain board. Mine had a little bit of stuff on it, I know some others differ, My H602w looked a lot different from the battery side. Once you get it sliding free, help the switch through its hole and then the entire works will slide out with ease.
Somebody tell me what I did wrong, or that I missed a thread somewhere. Seemed too easy, maybe many other models are harder. For those looking to do this, it was as easy as it looks. I have never messed with a flashlight before. I work on heavy equipment for the most part and while I'm not a caveman, finesse is something I use much less of in a day than many other professions. Just take your time and if it doesn't feel right don't force it.
I guess this leaves my question now, what do I mod this with and/or what should I be testing to figure out why it doesn't work. I could probably take the time to get it figured out but if somebody else has been into one I see no need to do the work twice.
Thanks in advance.