Malfunctioning MF01S

Lexel · 2019-11-02T19:09:10.000Z

It’s a know Anduril issue related to switch bounce, especially 2S lights seem to be affected a lot more
I had it also on 1S lights
a small MLC capacitor of like 0.1uF directly soldered on the switch can fix it

ricksp65 · 2019-11-02T23:18:28.000Z

I did contact banggood but they don’t seem to be very receptive when it comes to returns or replacements I’ve only had the light a couple weeks I haven’t heard anything back from them yet. But I guess repairing it myself could be an option if There’s no other way I do like the light though it would’ve been one of my favorites if this didn’t happen .

Lexel · 2019-11-02T20:30:04.000Z

Unscrew switch and solder cap 0603 for example, not sure where exactly to solder but easy to probe the switch

ricksp65 · 2019-11-02T21:35:57.000Z

Kind of hard to imagine not replacing a product with a known defect. I guess I should’ve purchased it from Amazon they seem to be better about returns and replacements.

Lexel · 2019-11-03T11:11:48.000Z

Switch bounce problem is kind of odd most lights don’t show it

ricksp65 · 2019-11-03T13:30:51.000Z

I only found one video on YouTube besides mine showing the problem.

ricksp65 · 2019-11-03T19:39:23.000Z

Lexel · 2019-11-03T23:53:25.000Z

I hope Toykeeper will release a fixed firmware revision

NarsilM works flawless if you may want to flash different firmware

ricksp65 · 2019-11-04T02:17:49.000Z

I have no idea how to flash software I just collect flashlights that I like I’m not really too much into the workings of them. I guess this one will be relocated to the drawer in the garage it didn’t make the grade to go on the shelf with all the really awesome flashlights.

d_t_a · 2019-11-04T04:11:16.000Z

Lexel:

It’s a know Anduril issue related to switch bounce, especially 2S lights seem to be affected a lot more
I had it also on 1S lights
a small MLC capacitor of like 0.1uF directly soldered on the switch can fix it

I have already many Anduril flashlights, but so far haven’t encountered this issue.

I would like to know how often do these kinds of “issues” or “bugs” happen? What is the cause?
Do they potentially affect all Anduril firmware flashlights (at least until a new firmware to workaround the said “bug” is released)?

Lexel · 2019-11-04T04:28:57.000Z

the issue is known by Toykeeper and its confirmed switch debounce code who can get stuck in a loop
any flashlight with this issue under Anduril could be tested with NarsilM working without that problem

ricksp65 · 2019-11-04T17:17:28.000Z

So how do I get it fixed?? Or replaced? I’ve only had it less than two weeks? And what is a toykeeper?

BlueSwordM · 2019-11-04T17:21:56.000Z

Toykeeper is the person that makes the code of the firmware that runs your light.

ricksp65 · 2019-11-04T17:26:13.000Z

Found an article that deals with this I think I figured out what’s going on here .

allaboutcircuits.com

Switch Bounce and How to Deal with It - Technical Articles

In this article I will discuss what switch bounce is and some ways to deal with it. First I will take you through the theory, and later I will show you some ways to handle it in both hardware and in software.

ricksp65 · 2019-11-04T19:45:49.000Z

Well I think he needs to put that one back in the oven to bake for a while. LoL

ricksp65 · 2019-11-05T22:52:51.000Z

The GF likes the pretty lights I wish I could take that board out with the colored LEDs and put it in one of my better lights but I don’t have the skills.

ricksp65 · 2019-11-05T22:54:56.000Z

Has anyone else had any luck with returns and replacements from Banggood? I noticed they do a lot of advertising on this forum.

klrman · 2019-11-06T01:21:36.000Z

ricksp65:

Has anyone else had any luck with returns and replacements from Banggood? I noticed they do a lot of advertising on this forum.

I think BG has a US warehouse, so for you it may be very easy to return it. Normally, if you can get the same deal for a light on Amazon, it's always way easier to return.

Lexel · 2019-11-06T05:18:32.000Z

MF01S Aux board will not even fit MF01, not to mention any other light
I have for some lights aux board as in my signature

AbnInfantry · 2020-01-04T06:21:22.000Z

I apologize in advance for the long rant I’m about to post regarding my defective Astrolux MF01S. After waiting for over a month for the light to arrive from Banggood, it was finally delivered in the mail last Saturday. I thought it looked great with the blue anodized finish and, initially, the MF01S worked properly. I own several lights with Anduril firmware (Astrolux MF01 Mini, Lumintop EDC18 and FW3A, Fireflies EO7) so I’m familiar with how they’re supposed to work. Within an hour, my MF01S began malfunctioning. Over the next two days, it would work correctly for one or more hours then, for no apparent reason, it would suddenly become erratic. I mean seriously malfunctioning. I’ve cleaned/greased all the threads, cleaned all contact points, and ensured the head and tail cap were screwed down tight.

For over three hours one night, it was impossible to turn off the MF01S except by partially unscrewing the head or fully unscrewing the tail cap. For the past five days, the light has continually malfunctioned every time it’s been turned on. Clicking the side switch once to turn it on results in: the light ramping up or down in brightness without my finger holding (or even touching) the button, activating one of the strobe modes, rapid flashes or a variety of other incorrect behavior. With the light on, two clicks which should activate Turbo instead causes the light to: ramp up or down in brightness, engage a strobe mode, decrease in brightness, do nothing or turn itself off. For the past five days, three clicks do not give a battery check and four clicks do not turn on or off lockout mode.

All I’ve ever used any of my Anduril lights for is to ramp up or down to a particular brightness, and engage Turbo or tactical strobe. I’ve never tried to use Momentary mode, Muggle mode, change any temperature setting, change the default ramping levels or any of the advanced features possible with Anduril. This light sometimes changes from smooth ramping of brightness to graduated step levels without my clicking three times. Sometimes I can, eventually, get the light turned off by clicking the side switch; other times I have to partially unscrew the head. Most of the time, the side switch feels like those of my three MF01 Mini lights. Occasionally, however, merely lightly touching the rubber button will cause the light to react as if it was clicked. After I got this light turned off, it has repeatedly turned itself back on when I didn’t press, or even touch, the switch. It’s turned itself on a few times when I wasn’t even holding the light. I have no idea how this is even possible.

I don’t know which has been more aggravating: the hours I’ve wasted trying to get this defective MF01S to work properly or my experiences with Banggood Customer Service after reporting the issues I was having with their product. At their request, I provided Banggood with videos showing the MF01S obviously malfunctioning and pictures of the shipping labels, SKU code, and batteries I’m using. I’ve tried eight new, fully-charged Samsung 30Q cells I purchased from Illumination Supply. Normally, I use four flat top Samsung 30Qs. I also tried four button-top Samsung 30Qs; they made no difference.

Banggood CS told me to perform a factory reset as described in the User Manual. Nowhere in the User Manual that came with my MF01S is there any mention of a factory reset. I read online (including posts by Toykeeper) describing two methods of doing a factory reset with an Anduril flashlight. I performed, or at least attempted to perform, such resets numerous times. The MF01S immediately continued to malfunction as soon as power was available. Even if a factory reset was successful, it would only return the light to its original default settings. A factory reset doesn’t magically repair a faulty side switch or defective circuit board.

Banggood CS suggested I allow the flashlight to “cool off” and directed me to adjust the light’s temperature. This MF01S constantly malfunctions the moment it’s turned on, even if it’s cool from not having been used for over ten hours. So heat is not the problem. Since I can’t get the light’s sole control mechanism to correctly operate for basic functions, I certainly can’t get it to access temperature config mode.

Banggood CS asked me to contact a “local service shop” and obtain an estimate to have the MF01S repaired. Ignoring the fact I’m sure no such shop exists in the South Dakota town in which I reside, Banggood CS said the shop must not disassemble the light in any way since “disassembling will cause invalidation of warranty.” How could any skilled person capable of making repairs on an electronic device even offer an estimate without opening the MF01S to examine it?

After I opened a PayPal claim, Banggood CS offered me a $40 refund. Since I bought the light on sale for $80, that means I’d be stuck with a constantly-malfunctioning $40 flashlight which is completely useless to me … except serving as a paperweight. While I’m hopeful I’ll eventually get a full refund via PayPal, the many hours of frustration I’ve experienced over the past week with this defective MF01S and Banggood CS have been highly aggravating.