I have two convoy flashlights I want to mod, an S2+ with a Nichia 219C and a C8+ with an XPL-HI. In both, I want to replace the driver but the retaining ring for the stock driver won’t budge. Anyone encounter this issue before?
What direction are you trying to turn?
Turn the other way
It does not seem to matter if I turn right or left, the retaining ring wont budge. I can get the whole pill out just fine, but the retaining ring is stuck. Is it supposed to be reverse threaded?
Which one are you talking about, tail or head?
The ring that holds the driver into the pill is the one I am struggling with, although now that I check the ring in the tailcap is just as stuck. It feels like they used a permanent threadlocker or something. I’m stumped.
No, just use more force
It may help to know what tool or apparatus you’re using to try to turn the ring. I’ve not had great luck using only a single-sided implement; I actually went and got myself a pair of circlips pliers just for retaining rings.
I think pair of circlip pliers is an essential flashlight modding tool. I’ve seen people report success with tweezers on various lights, but they’ve never worked for me.
I don’t recommend the kind with interchangeable tips, unless you’re using the tips without attaching them to the handles - they’re not designed to handle torque.
I tried watchmaker’s tweezers long ago. They only work when there’s not much torque needed, because they can’t stand torsion. Bought a pair of circlips pliers and been happy ever since, they allow me to press in or release any retaining ring under the sun!
I’d only really recommend tweezers if you’re messing with AAA lights. Anything biggers, circlips is a go.
Convoy S2+ threads are all righthand ones (righty tighty, lefty loosy).
With one exception, the retaining ring in the tailcap. That has a lefthand thread.
I’ve never had/heard of a Convoy with glue in the threads.
Only once there was some grit lodged in the thread between pill and head section.
Last time I mention this: I always use the tips of two 3mm SS nails.
And cross them according to the direction of the force needed.
Anyway, always apply force at TWO points. Every ring has two indents/dimples/slots!
It’s like zipping up a windbreaker. Using two hands and things go smooth.
Try to do that with one hand and you end up without a windbreaker.
Uh, I received a bulk lot of C8+ hosts and the retaining rings weren’t threaded correctly causing them to get crossed threaded. 2pcs are permanently stuck in there, thankfully with the correct driver installed. I had to get my knife and scrape it around the thread to open it up. They now freely screw in.
I wonder if Simon or whoever assembled it, just forced it
Convoy S21A pill…. metal bending tight…
About to give up on this. Need to come up with a better tool to make sure pressure is applied equally to both points, but if that doesn’t work…… maybe cut the ring, but that seems excessive.
Funtastic, you mean scrape a knive between ring and pill and slowly scrape away the threads?
Heat it up and try to open while hot.
But heat expands, doesn’t that make it tighter?
edit:
Interesting effect comes into play here. Found this explanation:
Is it too late for a BLF xmas card 
Try this tool: 淘宝网 - 淘！我喜欢
This is the best thing I have found for removing these rings. Very ridgid and not likely to slip.
Just dip it in boiling water and use some kind of shock freezing aerosol to the retaining ring if heating only doesn’t help.
Did you try Clockwise or Counter clockwise ?
And a circlip tool helps a lot
Yep. The bolt and the nut expand, but in different amounts, so the gap between them also increases.
Managed to get it loose! I left it on the fireplace the rest of the afternoon (around 70 degrees max) and then had another go. 1st with the nails and that ended in more bending…. main issue with that it’s that it’s very hard to get an even grip/force in the holes. So then I grabbed a caliper, expecting it to break it’s points, but to my surprise it worked good. Better grip on the ring and hands. And easier to apply equal force.
Thanks for the advice all!
Good idea! Will get something like that. Even though this was the 1st time I’ve had so much trouble, it probably isn’t the last time and would make life so much easier. Cheap enough not to mess around with nails anymore (or a caliper for that matter…).
Counter clockwise. All the circlips I have at hand have way too big tips. None fit in the holes of the ring.