Just like the subject says. I just got in 2 SK98’s. They say Sipik SK98-5W-1-18650 on the side. One of them is fine. The other the zoom works really hard, and it changes mode about half the time during zoom which is irritating. It changes mode in the middle of the zoom. What to do? My first idea is spray WD40 down it and pray…
Any better ideas would be appreciated.
- Joe
Loose pill? I've never had any of those lights, it might not even have a pill. But something in the head has to be loose and breaking contact.
Not heard of that before while zooming :D. As comfy says could be a loose pill.
Unscrew the top, the pill has two holes that will help in screwing it in/out make sure it is screwed in and not loose. Also make sure that the cell is not loose but fits snugly, as sometimes if the light is jolted the cell breaks contact for a moment and thus changes mode.
I can try all that but if I bang it around pretty good it doesn’t change modes. Only while zooming, and it’s really good at that. Since the zoom is so stiff and that’s the only other difference I really want to squirt the crap out of it with WD40…lol Oh well. I’m a noob and this is like my 8th light in 2-3 weeks. Might be a good first one to take apart and fix. I’m very handy, just not at flashlights yet. I did fix my SRK though. Had power button upside down and the O-Ring stopped it from turning on and I figgered that out.
Does the sliding zoom head contact the pill in some way and mine is messed up? I mean, my zoom head is hard to do in and out even 2 hands…
Sounds like your spring is not making that good of contact to me. Check the pill but I doubt that is it. You can stretch the spring a little bit if it’s not the pill. Just don’t go crazy with it. Gently stretch it a little bit and try again.
Sounds like its a loose connection for the driver causing it to change modes. (likely the pill is not threadded tight.) if you have some silicone-based grease to apply on the zoom head area that should loosen it up a bit.
You are a genius! I stretched it out another 1/4 inch and now it works great! TYVM sir! You saved my light from a WD40 bath…
- Joe
Easiest is just take the top off (15seconds) and take a look, even if it is tight unscrew the pill then you can have a good look as to why zooming is problematic. Could be a problem with the o ring which is on the pill or the pill itself. Have seen people unscrew the pill unwittingly by turning the slider while zooming and the pill initially was not tightened properly.
tried an experiment on mine, if the pill was almost totally unscrewed I did manage to get it to change mode by playing with the slider. But only the once.
Loose pill, when you are pulling it, it separates for just a fraction of a second, like a 1/2 click bump
To tighten just grab the zoom cap and spin clockwise
First time taking a CREE apart. Took off the front, then a black disk. The silver ring under that wasn’t screwed down all the way. It’s fixed now.
So am I now qualified to do a drop in pill mod and blow a lot more money? 
- Joe
Bwahhh haaaa haaaa we have got another one started!!!
_(run run while you still stand a chance, it’s too late for me)
_
Nice!
This is a pill from a SK68, these are the notches in the top ring I use to help snug the entire pill down, plus help take it back apart with ease (same kind of pill just larger and a retaining ring on the SK98)
I use a rotary tool and a diamond cutoff wheel to cut a notch in em so I can hook a screwdriver in it and unscrew em or tighten em down as needed
Sorry for the blurry pictures
Small tip:Since pill is aluminum and body is aluminum, I apply a very small bit of NOALOX to the threads, not only does it protect the threads from sticking or corroding, but helps wick heat between the pill and the body (not the best heatsink compound, but it works)