FW1A Dead on Arrival

Marnav1 · 2019-11-08T11:08:43.000Z

Hello everyone. Decided to check out all the hubub about the FW series lights. I prefer the single emitter lights so I sprang for the FW1A from Neals Gadgets. The light arrived a couple days ago and viola I cannot get it to respond in any fashion. There is a brief flash upon installing the battery but that is all it does. Im assuming positive goes towards the head, is this correct?

I have tried two different flat top unprotected cells and zip nada nothing. One cell was 4.05v and the other is 4.15v. I did send an email to Neal today so waiting for a reply there. I am wondering if anyone has a suggestion for something I might look for to see if I can get it working. I dont see anything obviously wrong, its a very nicely finished light IMO.

Thanks ahead of time.

mortuus · 2019-11-08T11:34:29.000Z

If the light acts strange, make sure the driver retaining ring is tight. Also make sure the tailcap is tight — very tight. Loosen the tail a bit, loosen the head, then tighten the tail as much as you can by hand, then tighten the head.

Marnav1 · 2019-11-09T11:59:15.000Z

Didnt help. Neal did reply with similar info. My first DOA light in fact. I dont think sending it back to China will work out.

KevinZA1988 · 2019-11-09T12:07:36.000Z

FW3A Troubleshooting / FAQ BLF Special Edition Products

Warning to potential buyers (2021) The FW3A design has been changed many times since launch, with quite a few downgrades. It is not the same light any more. The 2021 model appears to be downgraded so much that it is no longer compatible with the upstream FW3A firmware. It’s missing an entire power channel, as shown in the pic below. Additionally, the FW1A has been downgraded in at least two major ways — the reflector no longer focuses correctly, and the driver no longer has the primary regul…

Johm · 2019-11-09T12:15:06.000Z

Since the light flashes it gets power, this seems like a switch issue.

Take the tailcap off and remove the clip and clip o-ring (you might have to remove just the clip o-ring but remove both to test)

That should give the tailcap all the clearance it needs for good contact.
This has been the most common issue with the FW lights.

scosgt · 2019-11-10T20:51:58.000Z

Clean the inner tube contacts as well as those on the tail and head with an alcohol swab.

mortuus · 2019-11-11T08:34:24.000Z

Sending it back to china isnt worth it, maybe someone near you u can help or if u send light to someone not too far away from your location ?

PiercingTheDarkness · 2019-11-14T05:07:46.000Z

If Neal is requesting it sent back then that’s why I like buying from Ali, Banggood etc as you’ll get a refund or replacement.

MascaratumB · 2019-11-14T21:45:54.000Z

I also received a FW1A from Neal and for a while it had the same time. What happened was that there was probably missing a thin o-ring between the inner tube and the outer tube.

I was taking the battery out and then screwing in the head again, it made that short blink and then it didn’t work. So I took the inner tube out, and checked the thin white o-ring that was there. After some tries I made it work and now it is perfectly fine.
After that, check the retaining ring on the driver and the tailcap again!

BTW, my FW1A bezel is glued and I cannot remove it (yet). Everything else is working!

M4D_M4X · 2019-11-14T21:49:20.000Z

can you watch my video and try to "simulate" the switch / tailcap in same way ?

https://youtu.be/IbIBPCea68A

Marnav1 · 2019-11-17T00:40:40.000Z

Ive tried everything I know to try. Nothing works. Im not sure how to get another switch to try. When I asked for another light the communication seemed to stop. I did order a 18350 tube/SS bezel awhile back, it isnt here yet. I hope I can get this working.

bts · 2019-11-17T13:09:41.000Z

I ordered the FW1A and it was DOA too. Did all that needs to be done to get it work but it won’t. Neal sent me a new one. Don’t worry, Neal will take care of it for you.