I dismantled the fan handle as much as I dare. I can access the wires connected to the top of the fan motor. I assume the fan driver is somewhere inside the handle, under the button's location. Any suggestions on how I can test the voltage leading into the fan driver without any further dismantling of the fan handle and/or cutting wires?
I saw that video and I tried that.
I used a quarter to tighten the tail cap.
I sent a message from BangGood.com requesting help with the defective light. No reply yet.
I don’t have many details on how the fandle is designed. Can you look down the battery tube and see a pcb? Does it have a spring, button or solder blob for the cathode to contact? I would compare it to other peoples to make sure nothing is different. For instance, maybe you’re supposed to have a button soldered in the middle in order to make contact and your light may be missing that button which is preventing the battery for making contact.
Is the spring in the tail cap putting tension on the battery when you screw it in?
Are all the bare metal sections of the tail cap where they make contact all clean and shiny?
Spring and spring holder clean?
Battery ends clean?
Is enough of the anodization removed where the fan tail cap contacts the body? If not, it might need to be scraped a little.
These are all the basic things that you can check without opening up the fan. If all of these parts look good and you’re tightening up the tail cap snug and still not getting power, then there’s not much else you can do. If you have a spare battery you can try that. Maybe even an 18650 would be worth trying. If none of that works you just have to contact Astrolux about getting a replacement fan. I wouldn’t recommend disassembling it because you would probably void the warranty.
Looking down the battery tube, I see a spring soldered in 2 places to a PCB. However, there are no visible surface mounted components on this side. There is no access to anything else within the battery tube where the spring is soldered. Also, on the fan side of the battery tube, there are 2 wires running from the battery tube to the fan itself. I checked voltages there when clicking the button quickly 3 times; result -> 0.0v.
Both the battery tube and end cap have springs. There are no solder blobs. And yes, the springs put a fair amount of tension on the battery contacts surfaces. All contact surfaces are clean, including battery and springs. I have 2 batteries which have been tested as good and at 4.2v. Batteries have the same specs as BangGood recommended on the production page.
Also, there is clean bare aluminum surfaces inside the battery tube and on the end cap where the two surfaces make contact. I always snugged up the end cap with a quarter for each test.
I also tried out an 18650 high-drain battery with similar specs as the 21700 as far as drain ratings.
I sent 2 messages 2 days ago from the BangGood.com site about this issue. No response yet. They state responses are within 24 hours. I also sent a direct message via my email today to Cservice@banggood.com (from a google search) and to trigger@deals.banggood.com (from the original email order confirmation). There was no chat or phone support available to post-sales issues. They seem to want to make if very difficult for the customer to contact them.
Oh yeah, Banggood will definitely take their time trying to wear are you down. Most of these companies will try to drag things out and irritate you so that you will give up. You just have to stick with it. They were closed over the weekend and are coming into work right about now. So you might hear back in the next day or two. They may ask you to make a video showing you putting a battery in, tightening it up and then what it’s doing. If so, use a low-resolution like 480p in order to keep the file size small in case you need to send it as an attachment.
I've spoken with PayPal today and they said if I don't hear from them in 3 days or if they are not cooperative, I can open up a claim and it might be possible to get a 100% refund. we'll see.
Usually PayPal will allow them a couple of weeks to make it right. Or if you open a claim they will allow them a couple of weeks. I’m not sure why they said a 100% refund when it’s only the fan that has a problem.
For those using USA Priority Mail there is hope, mine cleared customs yesterday and arrived today.
It is worth the wait , this thing is just the kind of crazy I was hoping for. I’ll stop giggling to myself eventually… probably
(UPDATE: Nov. 2nd 2020: Now the fan works. I have replaced the bad controller circuit board with a simple on/off switch. I un-soldered the circuit board and soldered the two black wires together. The red and white wires are soldered onto a switch from a battery operated Halloween candle that fits into the opening)
The fan handle on my new Astrolux MF05 flashlight does not work. There were no instructions about the fan included, and there was no “+” or “-” symbol to tell which way to put the battery in. I have read online that it needs a triple-click with the button to turn it on, but it still doesn’t work.
I have used a good fully charged 21700 battery, tightened the cap securely, and put the positive end in first. I only saw the green light in the button light up one time when putting the cap on, now it never lights up after many tries. I suspect the control module is blown.
I have contacted Banggood customer service, but have not been able to get a replacement fan.
I want to write a review and post videos about how incredibly bright the MF05 is, but the fan not working distracts from how good it is.
I haven’t gotten Banggood to give me another fan, even though the problems with the fan are happening to others.
(UPDATE: Nov. 2nd 2020: Now it works. I have replaced the bad controller circuit board with a simple on/off switch. I un-soldered the circuit board and soldered the two black wires together. The red and white wires are soldered onto a switch from a battery operated Halloween candle that fits into the opening)
The flashlight itself is working great, here’s my YouTube video comparing it to the MF04, with obvious results: Astrolux MF04 vs. Astrolux MF05 - 4K - YouTube
I'm waiting for BangNotSoGood to review my posted video and all relevant information about the fan handle defect. But what has been said before, they seem to be dragging their feet as usually. They just promised to get back to me within 72 hours after I threatened to open up a claim with PayPal.
I replied to Banggood customer service again attempting to get another fan handle for my MF05. My reply included this:
“I have been talking with other owners of this flashlight on Forums, Facebook and YouTube. The fan not working is a known issue and I am not the only customer with this problem. The fan handle is made separately and that is what I need.”
(UPDATE: Nov. 2nd 2020: Now it works. I have replaced the bad controller circuit board with a simple on/off switch. I un-soldered the circuit board and soldered the two black wires together. The red and white wires are soldered onto a switch from a battery operated Halloween candle that fits into the opening)
I collect throwers. Really wanted a MF05 but just couldn’t bring myself to roll the dice on poor astrocrap quality. (been burned by astrocrap before) Listening to my spidysense paid off!
I forgot to post these. I was wondering if I could fit lens in there to build a scope.
Front with fan removed
Fan driver
Back of the battery contact board looking into the driver cavity
Three questions:
You are thinking of putting some kind of camera lens there?
Was your fan working?
(UPDATE: Nov. 2nd 2020: Now it works. I have replaced the bad controller circuit board with a simple on/off switch. I un-soldered the circuit board and soldered the two black wires together. The red and white wires are soldered onto a switch from a battery operated Halloween candle that fits into the opening)
I attached a photo of the light in action:
!3140 meters away!:Redirecting...
I noticed something odd today - I could no longer access the highest brightness for more than a few seconds before it would drop in brightness. The temperature was not an issue as it was cold to the touch. The individual cells were about 3.85V, well above anything I’d consider low.
Anyone else notice this? I’m recharging to see if I can confirm what I suspect that voltage is the issue.
update - after recharging it seems ok. I’d be interested to see if it happens again at a similar voltage. It would be disappointing if it could only deliver its brightest mode when batteries are 3.9V+
, this thing is just the kind of crazy I was hoping for. I’ll stop giggling to myself eventually… probably
