Convoy S2 questions about disassembly, cleaning, differences with S2+

[Mr.Shnatter]

I haven’t been here in a while. I got several S2 / S2+ a few years ago when I was taking apart battery packs I got at trade shows and had a bunch of 18650 batteries.

I’ve taken apart a couple that say S2+ on the barrel. The LED is mounted on a ‘pill’ held in place above the battery with a retaining ring. And the orange peel cone and glass all come out the back once I remove that retaining ring.

I took apart 1 last night that says S2. This one had a silver ring at the front of the flashlight. Turns out the cone and glass come off that way. After removing the retaining ring, I see that the circuit board is wired to the LED with red and blue wires. And the LED is mounted to the barrel? With 2 holes for the red / blue wires coming through a disk that is part of the barrel (it was machined on both sides of the disk? vs. the others I am used to where it’s a tube when things are removed.

Assembling things, I had a problem getting the retaining ring’s threads to line up. As I tightened, I notice the circuit board sometimes turning / sometimes not. That added twists to the wires to the LED and 1 wire broke.

Some questions:

1. is the pill design typical for S2+ and this wiring through the disk common for the S2?

All the other flashlights I have (and most I haven’t even used) say S2+ and do NOT have that silver ring. So I think / hope they use the pill design.

2. How often do you take your flashlights apart?

3. How do you clean things? I’ve been using Deoxit 100% spray. And recently got some nooxid grease that I put on threads and battery contacts / springs when putting it back together.

I could solder a new wire, but putting it back together, I would likely have the same issue of the circuit board turning / twisting wires.

4. is that a bit of a design flaw / that’s why they changed things in the S2+?

5. Does this S2 have any value for parts? List it here? Ebay? Any idea what I’d get for it?

6. I just saw this site in my notes.
   https://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=101&search=s2

You can see that disk with 2 holes in 1 view. Does that come out? I can’t tell from that view. Did I disassemble it wrong?

I like how these are small and bright and when I bought these pre-covid, they were cheap ($15 or so?). I still have a load of 18650 battieres.

7. is this still a good inexpensive flashlight? If you were looking for a single 18650 light that you will likely lose it : ) (I’ve lost a couple) what would you get?

8. and from where?

THANKS!

[INeedMoreLumens]

1. Both the S2+ and S2 use a brass pill. The integrated shelf I’ve only seen on the S3.
   Your S2 must be older than any S2 I’ve ever seen.
   All of the lights in this photo have the brass pill:
   

   

2. I usually only take them apart when I’m replacing/upgrading something.

3. I don’t clean my lights very often but I have 40ish lights so only a few see regular use.

4. I’m not sure why the S2+ was created.

5. As a S2 Collector I’m interested in it, depending on the price of course. I recently purchased 4 lights and my wife is on high alert!

6. The brass disk in those photos is the Pill, yours is designed differently and has an integrated aluminum shelf.

7. Yes the S2+ and S2 are still great inexpensive flashlights.

8. “Convoy flashlight Store” on Aliexpress:
   Convoy flashlight Store - Amazing products with exclusive discounts on AliExpress

[INeedMoreLumens]

After taking another look at your photos I’m pretty sure that’s a S3 not an S2:

[1stein]

@INeedMoreLumens

pretty sure that’s a S3

100% right. The grey plain you can see there is the integrated shelf seen from the bottom.

@Mr.Shnatter

is that a bit of a design flaw / that’s why they changed things in the S2+?

No. It’s a little different design. The main difference between S2 and S2+ is the height of the reflector and pill. S2 has deeper reflector and thinner pill while the latter opposite : shallow reflector and thicker pill.
These setups naturally have its consequences ; S2 gives less spill (more narrow beam) and can withstand less power (due to smaller pill) whilst S2+ gives wider beam and is better prepared for heat dissipation.
Nonetheless both are very nice and worth keeping in the collection.

[Mr.Shnatter]

OOPS! yes, it’s an S3! Sorry!

So what’s your thoughts on the S3 and that wire through the housing design rather than the brass pill design? How do you assemble things without getting the wires twisted as you tighten the retainer?

The spill, etc is neat to read about, but I am just looking for a reliable, inexpensive BRIGHT light : )

@INeedMoreLumens nice collection! What do you think this S3 is worth? Shipping costs are so expensive these days : (

When you do take the lights apart, what are you using to clean them? The retaining rings don’t get loose (as a reason to take them apart to clean / tighten things?)

[INeedMoreLumens]

@Mr.Shnatter

So what’s your thoughts on the S3 and that wire through the housing design rather than the brass pill design?

The integrated thermal shelf is actually a better design for heat dissipation.

@Mr.Shnatter

How do you assemble things without getting the wires twisted as you tighten the retainer?

I install the driver and driver retaining ring before soldering the leads to the MCPCB and make sure the driver is full seated before tightening the ring.

@Mr.Shnatter

What do you think this S3 is worth? Shipping costs are so expensive these days : (

Yeah, the shipping would cost fairly close to what the light is worth.
You could get a soldering iron and some solder for <$10 and repair it yourself.
Plus you’d already have the tools needed to repair the next one.

[INeedMoreLumens]

@Mr.Shnatter

When you do take the lights apart, what are you using to clean them?

Isopropyl alcohol, q-tips and paper towels.

@Mr.Shnatter

The retaining rings don’t get loose (as a reason to take them apart to clean / tighten things?)

I snug up the retaining rings/pills from time to time after I had a retaining ring come completely loose once.

[1stein]

@Mr.Shnatter

How do you assemble things without getting the wires twisted as you tighten the retainer?

Over years I’ve worked out a certain sequence which always works for me:

1. Prepare LED shelf by cleaning it
2. Drag on + and - wires through the shelf
3. Put the thermal paste (eg.Arctic mx4)
4. Place the LED MCPCB
5. Solder wires to mcpcb (screw in screws if any)
6. Place driver into the cavity making sure the wires are not squished by the driver components (some inductors may be even 1cm high)
7. Screw and tighten the retaining ring