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I have this LED flashlight that I really like. It stopped working and I replaced the batteries. There was an odd thin metal strip inside along the batteries that I took out. I have no idea what its purpose is. I purchased AAA batteries and installed them. It still doesn't work. I tested the brand new batteries and they are good. The only writing on the flashlight is the on the battery cover. It reads ROHS which stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, a statement required in Europe. There is nothing on the light to indicate a manufacturer or even the country it was made in. I stopped at a Battery Plus store and they said they have never seen the thin wire before and since it doesn't reach the bottom they were at a loss.
Any ideas anyone on the purpose of the wire and/or why the flashlight doesn't work?
did read the batteries closely that I removed and they were ordinary AAA and not rechargeable.
Wow, Mike I am really impressed you found some just like it! How in the world did you do that? I like to think of myself as a really good researcher . . . and I really tried.
On the Hofftech Germany ad it says it's made by Carpoint in China. Nothing comes up for that.
I probably have 20 small flashlights. So I don't need another; the Maxx is nice and it's rechargeable.
I have the exact "throwaway" * flashlight on my desk (only in more stylish green). Same as the bulk retail photo posted earlier too.
The wire is absolutely essential to get power from the Negative pole where it makes contact with the spring up to the area at the bulb/LEDs. Pull the wire out and the plastic flashlight body will just sit there and not conduct any power. I've no clue where it connects at the top of the flashlight. The wire looks pretty secure in mine but I ain't pulling on it 'cuz you need it since the flashlight has a non-conducting body.
* I called this a "throwaway" as they're frequently "thanks for shopping with us" things just thrown in mail order boxes that few folks feel bad about when they loose them or they stop working. Standard AAA batteries. Had no idea they sold for four bucks (half a Big Mac in real money terms!) in bulk. Admittedly handy. Charging the batteries now but there will be no tears if I loose or break it.
Look at it from this angle: electrons flow out of the anode and back into the cathode of the battery with the bulb or led in the loop. The switch opens or completes the loop. In the case of an led, the electrons can only flow one way. In the case of an incandescent bulb, polarity is not a factor. In either case, the switch should be the only thing that opens or completes the loop.
I have the exact "throwaway" * flashlight on my desk (only in more stylish green). Same as the bulk retail photo posted earlier too.
-- Chuck
Mine came from a relative in FL and it has the name of a Title Co on the side. What I really liked about the design is the long handle. One person can hold the light over a subject without getting in the way while another person is doing something with the subject in tight quarters.
The slight discoloring at the end of the wire suggests it may have been attached at the bulb end with tiny soldering. But shinning a bright light through side of the plastic don't see anything it could have been attached to and it only goes half way down the handle.
Why not try putting the wire back where it was originally and see if it works. If it doesn't, you've lost 30 seconds of time trying, if it does.... well, there you go.
(From the pictures, it appears the wire contacts the spring in the base which contacts the negative end of the batteries. That appears to be the path to the switch)
07-19-2024, 11:07 AM
Flashlight Puzzle
Mine came from a relative in FL and it has the name of a Title Co on the side. What I really liked about the design is the long handle. One person can hold the light over a subject without getting in the way while another person is doing something with the subject in tight quarters.
