2 things, there is a length limit which is why flat top cells are recommended.
Second, anytime you have a new flashlight you have to make sure to not over tighten the head or tail and crush/damage the battery.
This would be a different situation where the G forces of the dropped battery dented the button. That can happen by dropping a battery by itself. It’s a little more likely to happen inside a flashlight as the impact angle doesn’t have to be so exact and the coiled spring focuses the pressure on a smaller area. The middle of the button is weaker than the edge.
5 minute 30 second fan cooled with GA cell at 4.1x volts. I make no promises of the accuracy and in fact I don’t think the percentages are accurate but i’m hoping the overall shape is. When I pulled it off the box the SST-20 lights were in the 320-360 lumen range which doesn’t make sense given the percent stated.
I used my old integrating shoe box and my Galaxy S10 with ceilingbounce app. I haven’t really used the app on this phone or the shoe box in a long time so I cant really trust how either of those work.
At the end of the test I stuck them on my own somewhat calibrated DIY sphere just to have a more accurate measurement at the ~5-6 minute mark
I just received my FW3C polished, Cree XPL Hi 3D and it does not work. It sure looks and feels nice though. I ordered it through Neal’s site.
I have read this entire thread.
I only get the flash when the battery initially makes contact. I have tried several different unprotected 18650s that are all at a little over 4 volts. They work fine in other lights.
It has a brass driver retaining ring and a black switch retaining ring.
I tried loosening the driver retaining ring to make sure the driver was centered. I also tried it without the ring installed.
The solder joints on the MCPCB look fine.
I held a battery to the head and completed the circuit with a piece of wire and still only got the initial flash.
Is there anything else I should try?
I sure hope I do not have to send it back to China.
I was going to order a FW3T with the same emitters, if I liked the tint of the XPL Hi 3D. I am now going to hold off until I get this straightened out.
I have not reached out to Neal yet. I will do that shortly.
take off the head and tail. You will see a circular copper contact point on each, wipe those points and the springs with a swab dipped in alcohol. Problem should be solved,