Since Skilhunt didn’t ask me to return my review sample, I took it apart. The large trace the RPP pin is soldered is visibly connected directly to the ground ring, making the cause of the short circuit clear. I removed the RPP pin and now have a usable light, but I would advise anyone else with a recalled light to return it rather than trying to fix it.
More photos and analysis are in the article on my site.
Thanks for the teardown, so it was just shadows around the nub on @tactical_grizzly picture, not actual clearance.
The driver is fairly compact, and has nine wires connected; this light has a lot of functionality packed into a small head.
That is indeed a lot of wires in such a small light.
It uses what looks like a QFN20 3x3mm MCU, although I doubt it’s a T1616 or other AVR, probably one of those Sonix MCU like Convoy and other use.
OMFG who would connect the reverse protection tab to ground? This is such a big screw up on the design. It’s more like Insert flat top to self destruct pin.
I wondering how it will be fixed. I don’t think if this design can work with flat tops. Positive or negative same flat surface . And all this mess for ability to use “2in1” chemistry , antique low energy density NiMH ;))
So basically they have zero quality control.
Any manufacturering comapny should sample 1% of the units, take then apart, put them under some stress test.
This is unacceptable.
FWIW Skillhunt is doing the right thing.
They have issued a recall and are replacing the lights, free of charge with no baloney.
Thanks to zak.wilson for catching the issue right away.
fwiw, the batteries Skillhunt recommends are protected button tops. These are safe, even with the faulty RPP post.
The grounded post issue only affects people who use
In both cases, the issue is being fixed.
it is always a good idea to use the battery the manufacturer recommends… Using other batteries can sometimes cause problems. If people choose to use a non recommeded battery, it is prudent to make sure they fit the light correctly.
Thanks to zak.wilson for discovering the issue, and the prompt warning to the community. And thanks to skillhunt for the prompt recall.
It is always prudent Not to be an Early Adopter… try to be patient, and wait for feedback from reviewers such as zak.wilson, who go the extra mile to test and report.
so i have recently got the h150 v2. the “safety pin” is disconnected from the ground plane, and the board says “v2”. is it still unsafe to use flattop 14500?
It’s nice of you to join us, Skivaks!
got the h150 v2
congrats, and welcome to the forum 
not unsafe,
does your flattop work in the H150 or does the safety pin prevent contact?
It does not prevent contact. I tried it and it works, I let it shine for 10 sec, everything was fine.
I checked website and manual to see is they mention flattop batts, but nothing.
It was discovered almost after release so now you will be “lucky” to have faulty one.
Also you can check, look inside the tube at the driver - when you see “V2” it is ok.
then now you know your flat top works fine and you can use it if you want to
there is nothing to worry about since your light is a V2, the pin is not grounded
it does not matter that the manual does not specifically say you can use flat tops, the manual also does not say you can Not use flat tops…
on some flat tops the positive contact is slightly higher than the edge of the battery can, so they do make contact with the positive contact of the light, and they work fine.
you do do not need to worry, because your light is a V2…
thanks for clearing that up. i also was thinking about adding a dab of solder to make it higher, but if it works - it works.
But its a linear driver for Li-on, right?
yes, nicely regulated output and NoPWM
and more efficient than the FET w PWM in a TS10
here is an excellent review
…nicely regulated … 35 lumens in medium mode at 3.3V… 
Medium lasts 3.5 hours at 80 lumens of nicely Flat Regulated High CRI:
this chart is from the review I linked above:
after that it steps down to make you aware it is time to charge the battery…
whats not to love? lol
LOL
if you want 80 lumens, fully regulated and with NoPWM, for another 3.5 hours, it is definitely necessary to install a fresh battery…
For example buck driver at 3.3V can output like 7W. And that’s a lot more than 35 lumens.
