I think you got a short on the Poti, which hurt the shrink tube. And this possibly would have made this short to heat up the springs.
Is there a way to tell if the LT1 is utilizing all 4 batteries that are installed or not?
Charge all batteries to 4.20
Put on high for an hour
Remove batteries and check individual voltages
unless you intentionally put an insulator on one of the batteries the LT1 will use all installed batteries for power. Lionheart suggests a good way to prove it.
I just bit the bullet and ordered one from Sofirn’s new direct site! Trying not to be too excited because I’m sure it will be even longer to get here due to Chinese New Year.
Also ordered some LG MJ1 button tops from Liion Wholesale’s flash sale.
I ordered one direct from Sofirn 12/31, and today it left China on a plane. You may get lucky and leave there before CNY.
Would removing the tailcap and spring MPCB, and then testing voltage between the body and negative end of each of the cells work?
I’m thinking that if the positive end of the cell isn’t making contact, you’ll get a reading of 0V.
Ok thanks. Wasn’t sure if the lantern reported that info also or just voltage.
Was thinking if there was a bad cell that wasn’t working, since the lantern will work with any number of batteries. I guess if the battery holds a charge then that means it is good.
I accidentally fixed my orange O-ring so it fits my LT1 perfectly. It fell off and I put it in my back pocket on my pants. I forgot it was there and it went through the washer and dryer. When I found it again, it had shrunk and now fits the slot perfectly!
That is what happens when battery cells are inserted with alternating polarity — two springs end up melted. It’s likely that that happened at some point.
Best guess scenario…least chance for validation. requires responsibility.
+1. The springs have the usual discoloration and shape change caused by high heat concentrated around the battery contact area. I’m not blaming the user as perhaps it wasn’t your fault, but I believe these springs were damaged by reversed cells or by some other short-circuit situation.
Your cells probably need solder blobs to avoid hitting the LED pot, as well. First thing I did to my LT1 was desolder that pot, as I just don’t trust it with my laptop pulls with solder blobs.
The wraps appear slightly damaged around the top rim. Though they may have been damaged when pulling the cells from a laptop pack, they might also be hitting the positive ring and the rims appear to be the same height as the battery terminals, which is typical of flat-top laptop pulls. If so, this will eventually cause a short and is another reason to add blobs. Magnets should not be used in this case as they are often dislodged and may turn the lantern into a tiny furnace.
LOL Excellent solution.
Now we need details of the wash & dryer cycle 
I just washed and dried on the regular setting - so the dryer was hot and the washer was warm.
:+1: 
How long until there is lt1 maxx using 4x21700’s because i think it would be lolsy to have a lantern with 20ah battery life
that cell format may be possible for the LT2 ( Deluxe) version planned, that will have the power bank option. a 20ah power bank/lantern has some real benefits for run times and charging capacity. :+1:
Agree with ALL this 100%
Count me in. …again… :+1: :person_facepalming:
One small possibility. Some cells were sold that had wrappers that seemed possible to confuse unskilled users as to the correct orientation.