My (beloved) iTP A3 upgrade is driving me crazy!!

It's really a pain to use it single hand...

I keep switching modes because I don't twist it fast enough.

I tried to lube it (with the NexTorch silicone grease) but it didn't make much change.

The only solution I found is to remove the o-ring completely. It's just too tight with it (and combination of the slightly too tough spring). And then it's a treat.

But do I really want to throw away the o-ring? I do want to be able to use it in the rain...

I find Nextorch Grease a bit too thick for this purpose. Sometimes, it even makes it harder than unlubed. So I tried several other oils to lubricsate threads.

1. Spray silicon sprays seem to work well but some say they include some petroleum distillates so may damage o-rings in time. It still thickens in time so not the best.

2. PTFE (teflon) added oils. They usually come in spray cans also so still the case with silicon sprays present. I got one that says "does not damage rubber" on it and looks thinner than silicon spray and a bit better in lubrication.

3. And my best pick is Ballistol, Universal Oil. It is sold in spray and bottle form, a mildly alkaline oils so also works to neutralize acid accumulation. It is safe on rubber, leather, plastics and even on skin (used as a wound oil also) and a thin lubricant. I filled an empty board marker with Ballistol and use it sparingly on the threads an o-rings. My lights glide easier than ever.

Upgrade to a $9 Black Cat! When I got mine the iTp A3 came off the keychain and went into the drawer.

Out of curiosity, do you guys use 10440 with the iTp A3 upgrade?

You could try stretching an o-ring that is too small on to it, which would make it rather thinner.

Kokopelli, in my case the silicone grease does its job well, but it's the o-ring that make it a bit too hard to swiftly unscrew and screw the head to switch just one mode. I end up switching to a random mode many times, as if there's a weak contact and it's getting off and on several times a second.

But the iTP is shorter, lighter, and has 3 modes. So, no black cat for me.

I always use it with NiMH.

I think the o-ring it has now is rather small already (11mm outer diameter, 1mm thick).

It was quite hard to find, really. Found at Kaidomain http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=1744 (it started as "back ordered" but is now "packing", thank god), but as they're not the most reliable source for parts - do you know any reliable source for o-rings?

Good find for the o-rings. I may get some too.

I can't get the deal with silicon grease and o-rings. Ok, it makes them soft, keeps them soft but in some cases rubber gets sticky with added silicon. In these cases I find using another oil like Ballistol (usually found in hunting, firearms stores) solves this and make them slippy again. Like my Maglite XL100, after using Ballistol it is just too easy at the adjustable head so I will use some thicker grease to keep some friction on the oring.

There is a silicone oil sold in DX. I don't know how well it works on o-rings. It may be somewhat better.

I have a A3 EOS R5 Upgraded, a BlackCat, a UF A3 and love the ITP.

The DX Silicone oil was out of stock last time I ordered.

I'll try again.

If you have the original A3 (modes are M-L-H), the threads on that one are kind of loose. Maybe some teflon thread tape would tighten them up some?

I have the L-M-H one, and the problem is reverse.

Actually, with the replacement o-ring that came with the flashlight (the original mounted was torn just when I played with it for this thread...) it is much better.

Still, a lot easier to control the modes without an o-ring.

The O-rings from KD fit the iTP A3 just fine.

They are a bit less elastic and they have a more rounded surface (the iTP originals are grooved), but they are of the same size and could be good replacements.

The DX silicone oil is very nice also, I needed just a drop or two to make the threads much smoother with several flashlights.

I think it works better than the NexTorch silicone grease.

I wonder how long it would last.

Would this also fit to iTP A3? Measurments are identical 11mm x 1mm.

http://www.onlineorings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_36&products_id=1748

Never heard of them, anyone ordered from them in the past?

It won't - these are 11mm inner diameter, you need 11mm outer diameter and 9mm inner diameter.

These should fit: http://www.onlineorings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=454_12_36&products_id=1771

Anyway, they have a minimum order of 5$ plus shipping cost is 5$ (US domestic & international), so it's much more expensive than Kai's offering.

ditto. out of stock. on backorder since months!!

Just give up and get a Tank007 E09, it switches modes smooth and slick............

+ 1

( i am going to have my hands on 4 copies of the E09. still in transit, pending orders )

Oh, they did have it the second time I tried... lucky me, I guess. :)

It's okay, I guess, I haven't used it much.