Adjustable Angle Light - disassembly, mod, beam profile

Thanks

You're welcome. I can't resist taking stuff apart. It doesn't always go as well.

Yup, those are BBs. I'll post a closeup of the reflector later, I think it worked very well.

I'm so envious that you were smart enough to buy 5. I am sure I will end up buying at least that many more. It is actually better than I expected. Everyone that sees it wants one.

I used a few Q-tips and acetone on the glue - but you can probably use just a dry paper towel, it is really crusty stuff.

Well, for my part, I wish I'd been quick enough to get in on the $7 dollar deal like you did. Still, even at $10.50 I think they're still a steal. Even GITD, too, though I must admit the "G" part is a bit feeble on my ones.

I think acetone is probably now one of those "resticted" products here in the UK (like so many chemicals that actually work), so I'll probably try methylated spirits first. Maybe petrol would work. Course, I'll have to get the head off first. Just tried without a vice. That must be some kinda glue..

OH, i thought you were in on the deal, now i feel better lol

they definitely used way too much glue.

I'll edit the first post in a few minutes, I just took a pic of it in the vice so you can see what I did. The vice is just to hold it in place - if you just hold it in your hand it will probably break at the angle.

It took a considerable amount of force - at least for something this small. I had resigned myself to the possibility of destroying it, and thought I had done so when it came loose...

here's a good product for removing adhesive, not sure if it is sold there. it is not a strong solvent like acetone (won't strip paint).

they make it in the same size w/ pump sprayer - much more convenient.

OH - one other tip - before you try to unscrew the head, run the light on high until HOT!

Mine came yesterday and the first thing I could think was why I didn't buy more for $7.49........................

I like your new pattern and will have to do that mod after I get done with the snowblower.

Thanks, it is very easy, just be patient putting it back together. Tweezers help place the wires in the reflector.

btw, we live within ~50 miles of each other

one other note - reflector polishing

very fine steel wool, then JB Bore Brite on cotton w/ electric drill (turtle wax automotive polishing compound is a good substitute), then 'mother's aluminum polish, then BBs, then cleaned w/ acetone.

For the reflector I have all kinds of automotive detailing compounds and polish's so thats no problem.

How did you do the BB's????????

Just a bunch in a bag with the reflector ????????

You near Syracuse?

yup, right on the city line w/ dewitt

First I wrapped it in tape (to protect threads and from glue), then put a dollop of hot glue on the back and stuck it to the inside bottom of a jar. Pour in BBs, screw on lid and shake hard. If you want more texture put a hole in the lid, hold it with lid down and blast air in the hole from compressor.

I just wanted a light texture on this one, since it is already plenty floody.

Incidentally, this also work hardens the aluminum a little bit, which is nice because it is so soft. I do bigger stuff in my blast cabinet but that's overkill for anything this size...

Thanks for doing this, now I know how to disassemble mine to do something about the spotty beam. I'm probably just going to apply some frosted tape to act as diffusing film.

Yes, thank you from me too dthrckt, very useful stuff. One thread I'll keep bookmarked for a good while. Got the drivers link in soytnly's Sipik thread too

very welcome.

you could try the tape right over the existing optic - but if you remove it you'll need a lens to put the tape on.

how about a few more links:)

both lenses are too big but barely (20.5 should be about perfect).

http://kaidomain.com/product/details.S004330

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/22mm-5-5mm-30-60-degree-99-transmittance-glass-optic-13570

this is the oring pictured in the head, could be a hair larger inner dia., but good enough 4 me

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/glow-in-the-dark-water-tight-silicone-o-ring-seal-20mm-20-pack-3449

also - on utilitech AA I get 2.2A at the tail!!!! That will wipe that battery so fast lol but that's OK w/ me!

EDIT: it is finally dark, at least inside - this thing makes an AWESOME light clipped to a hat - one more click in the angle would be nice, but it is great anyway. Doing this I discovered something strange - pwm is MUCH more audible (only on low) when clipped to my black hat?

You should try to put the magnet on something made of thin metal while the light is in low mode. Talk about loud PWM noise...

wow you're right - don't know why though?!

I might go w/ no lens at all so that heat can escape, and just find a bottle cap or something to cover it in my pocket.

added a pic of tailcap

stock, from top of spring to threads I measured 1.4 ohms

pulled the spring, stripped the inside of the tailcap (I think it is paint) with oven cleaner, wrapped copper braid on top of spring then around bottom coil and replaced it.

now it measures 0.4 ohms.

Insignificant increase in lux readings, but I bet AA batteries last longer.

You might not want to do this if you'll use 14500s because it might be direct drive on high (1.5 to 2A, depending on cell I tried).

Mine don't need thin metal to whine when I put them on low. :) And it's loud enough to be heard from 1 meter away.

I love the design of this thing, was eyeing Fenix original at first, but for the money and battery life and lumens that it can push out the front it was waaay too expensive, I found the same clone on ebay little below 9$, search for "angle led flashlight". I think Im gonna buy one myself soonish and then come back for more info about modding its lens for better throw :D

Note that first result, if you use "worldwide" filter will be from ebay uk 2xAA tripple led flashlight, looks tempting but its probably with lots of flood and cold blue light with probably no modes, at least nothing mentioned in description.

Mine is super loud on low, too. Glad it’s not just mine. :wink:

you might be surprised by how much it throws stock, but it could be improved w/ lens. I'll try my aspheric lenses again at some point and post lux readings.