FW3A FW3C FW3T tailcap button mod - o-ring helps but click doesn't always trigger

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
18

Remove the poppers and inspect under them. To me it seems like the troubled one isn’t touching the center pad reliably. You could put a tiny solder blob on the center pcb pad and likely clear this up. Make sure the popper is taped on nice and centered and there is no debris or flux splatter on any of the contacts or popper. Wiping down with a cotton swab and ipa then deoxit if you have any could help too.

19

So when is a click not a click? When the clicker is dirty or burned or otherwise fudged up. When you open it please take some good pictures with good lighting before you start cleaning.

20

What’s the best way to open it up?

21

Mine is just held down with the kapton tape. Just lift one side. But before you do that I would manipulate the switch with a ballpoint pen or other sharp object and then again with a flat metal ruler on it’s side or something with the o-ring in place to see if it’s going straight down. An o-ring that can’t get off center probably is a better choice.

22

Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/008-Neoprene-Ring-Durometer-Round/dp/B0053UU1KG(link is external)

008 Neoprene O-Ring, 70A Durometer, Round, Black, 3/16” ID, 5/16” OD, 1/16” Width (Pack of 100)

Is that the right size?

23

Yes

24

I use 2 washers with glue. Is little more hard clicky but less wobble

25

If I open it up and end up needing a replacement, any ideas on where to get spare FW3A parts without buying a whole light?

I would also consider buying a whole light and getting an extra tail cap PCB for a few bucks extra.

26

I don’t think anything is going to need replaced. Slight tweaking should fix this

27

Here it is opened up. Looks clean to me.



28

I do have CRC 05103 QD Electronic Cleaner –11 Wt Oz

I could spray that on it.

Is that a good idea?

29

There actually are some splatter/ spot marks of some kind on there in the ‘bullseye’ position of the pcb. The electronics cleaner is fine but rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab + elbow grease is better. Clean both the underside of the popper in a twisting or ‘lapping’ motion with the swabs and ensure before reassembly that there arent any cotton fibers hanging around under there.

30

After I clean it with alcohol, should I apply a film of anything? Or just leave it completely bare?

31

Clean and dry.

32

Cleaned it with 99.9% and replaced the o-ring with the 008 size. Light is happy and so am I.

A big THANK YOU to all!

33

And the problem is back. Unless I press dead-center with just the right pressure, it won’t toggle.

I just want to order a replacement PCB at this point to try that. Can anyone help me find out where to buy one?

34

Do you have a soldering iron?

35

Yes, and I’m OK with it. Not a master, but I’ve done several hundred small connections.

36

What should I do with the soldering iron?

37

I think the aswer might be in post #9 and #18

I hope you figure something out