Yeah I think it may have been Lexel (??)… AFIAK he is the only member to have permanently fixed this problem. Somewhere on BLF is a lengthy technical discussion on it. Most of the theories behind this are way beyond my scope of understanding.
Tom E did also a repair:
First post [Ended]Groupbuy : Utorch UT01 (XP-L , AA & 14500 battery , e-switch etc) - #415 by Tom_E folgend
- LED + leads AWG 24 changed, solder on contact ring , NO-OX-ID
- MCPCB is Aluminium 0.95mm thick, replaced by a Noctigon (reworked it) LED changed: XPL2 with 4000k
- Overview: [Ended]Groupbuy : Utorch UT01 (XP-L , AA & 14500 battery , e-switch etc) - #425 by Tom_E
Joe
Heard back from Lexel, and the new switch that he used is available at digikey. He recommends using hot air for soldering it. Since I don’t have a hot air system for soldering, I may wait a while to try replacing the switch.
“https://www.digikey.de/product-detail/de/e-switch/TL3340AF160QG/EG4627CT-ND/1885974”
Hello
Someone knows if utorch ut01 manufacturers solved the problem in the factory.
the units that are bought now are fine?
a greeting
Good question. Seems no one knows yet. Maybe no one is buying it at the higher price.
Hmm… Maybe that’s why they WERE cheaper…
Yeah, that’s my reason. Really hoping around Thanksgiving or Christmas we might see the $10 deal again.
I don’t know why people keep buying these things. Seem to have a huge failure rate.
One of my UT01 lights does this on both 14500 as well as NiMH cells. Sucks. It was fine for the first 6 months.
How long ago did you buy them? One of the sale models?
I had one little used UT01, and one unused UT01 that worked fine with 14500. I put high CRI emitters in them and started using them more. They were fine, then after a week or so, the one I used most developed the problem, so I switched to the second one, which also worked fine for about a week, and then also developed the problem.
They still work on NiMH, and I’m still using them, but I’m never buying another, and don’t suggest anyone else does, either.
Yup, it was one of those $10 sale models, purchased in November of last year.
The other one I bought also for $10, in October of last year, still works fine.
I fixed it. Found a great way.
Ahh… the “bang good” tool… I’ve gotta get me one of these.
Made me laugh. :+1:
My perception over the last 5 years is the Chinaman does not run new batches for problems like this unless;
1. They are red hot sellers and the manufacturer needs to run another batch anyway and they can label it 2.0 etc. as a new/better version
or
2. They get sooo many returns/chargebacks that they are Forced to fix the issue.
Usually they just come out with a new model and pretend the old problems never existed or were not as bad as some people said.
We are dealing with a low cost flashlight in this case, not a $600 smartphone which may catch on fire so the pressure is just not there for a budget brand to do anything about glitches.
That said I have 3 of them, 2 work great the other is the freak. At least they all do work and function, they are just a PITA when you just want to click and go.
Would not buy another now, but the light does have nice features and killer output.
Later,
Keith
Out of the four I bought, three still work perfectly while one needs the ‘break-the-circuit-at-the-tailcap’ treatment.
The ‘faulty’ one has become my EDC, as I always lock out my pocket light anyway. The UT-01 is still my all time favourite 1xAA light despite the odd one being quirky.
At ten bucks apiece, I still feel like I stole ’em!
UT01 fan here. Mine purchased Feb. 2017 from Gearbest never displays this 14500 cell issue. I run it with 14500 and AA and no issues.
I’m a couple years late to the party… but if anyone has UT01’s sitting around that you’re not sure what to do with, I can send you my mailing address 
