Zebralight SC600 mk III HI pogos my cells to death

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

Hi forum! Unregistered lurker since the BLF A6 days here…

This light has dented both top and bottom of any cell i ever used. Tried Sanyo GA, Sony VCT6, Samsung 35E, LG MJ1 so far.

Pogo pins in tailcap and inside tube seems to sometimes not “retract”.

If pressed with a finger, often one or two of the pins stays out like a rigid spike until pushed hard or let go and try again.

I registered a case with Zebralight support a few years ago and they blamed the soft materials used in 18650 cells, it was normal to need new cells because of this, and said their mkIV had improved pogo pins.

I’ve used this light as daily driver since 2017 and it would be a shame to have to retire it but my latest cell is now so short the light wont even start.

Can it be modded to use springs or better pogos?

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2

Maybe try a newer tailcap that has a spring?

3

Absolutely willing to, if I can source one in EU… someone on reddit swapped to a mkIV tailcap. Maybe the H600 spring tailcaps fit? Convoy also seems to sell springs for other lights on AE.

I also need to do something about the “positive” pogos…

1 Thank
4

I had no clue those pins are supposed to retract.

I just checked my sc600 Plus, pushed it with my finger and sure enough they do retract.

I had no clue.

1 Thank
5

Make yourself at home, frdd!

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6

Hopefully the tailcap w spring will take pressure off uncompressed head pogos

7

Have you tried lubing the pogo pins?

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8

I have not tried lubricating, what would be preferred to use?

Also if someone knows where to buy a new tailcap, please advice:)

9

I would try motor oil which is probably best for metal on metal contact. Put some on and press the pogo pins in and out to see if that loosens them up. And then wipe off any excess oil.

10

I would not put oil on zebra pogo pins

11

Lube probably isn’t going to cut it…looks like it needs some kind of particulate surficant, like graphite. But that also risks creating a catastrophic short…