Need help with a strange take on FlashLight Mod

[sachiaiko]

Hey folks, I need some help from a Knowledgable party..

I started trying to do a flashlight mod but about part way through fussing with the board i decided it was too difficult and i knew to little to futz with the board. SO I put it aside for when i am more capable and decided "Why dont i just do a box mod but use a flashlight housing?"

So, i thought about it for a while then dug out the plexi lense and notched the side of it, GLUED a battery connector to one side, soldered a wire to that connector, then took a negative wire and added a BIG bead of solder to it(For the ground, to touch the side of the flashlight) and threaded those two through the notch before gluing the lense in place. This basically left the LENSE with its battery connector and wire where the circuit board SHOULD be, with two wires like bunny ears sticking up. I glued in the button and the LED, and went to work wiring everything as i'd done twice before, (basic nico-stick or madvape 2xaa battery box mod) and when it came time to solder the battery connector i decided to test it and....


NADA! :groans: WHY?

I am thinking these are my two biggest possible problems.

The last two mods i did had simple push buttons with two legs, what i'm working with right now has FOUR. But in MadDog's flashlight tutorial he used a four pronged button also and said you can go ahead and use any of the legs on one side. Since my set up only has POSSITIVE heading to the button, i thought i'd be fine. Maybe i misunderstood, or used the wrong legs, or maybe with this button i might-should have negative AND possitive touching the button? I dont KNOW!

Then of course the bead of solder-ground (my less then stellar idea) is the other potential failure point i can foresee. Maybe it's not creating a strong enough connection?

Now, here's the other weird thing. I was trying to get the LED to light up if nothing else. So i popped the normal batteries 3-aaa housing with 3 aaa batteries in it and screwed it on, and for a brief moment the LED DID LIGHT UP.... but not when i was touching the momentary switch!! For some reason it seemed to be running strictly from the button on the bottom of the flashlight but i didn't wire it that way... SO Why? Why is the Momentary switch apparently doing nothing? Why did the LED light up for a moment but only for the master switch, and why will it NOW not light up AT ALL?

:wails:

This is fustrating.

Help!

Oh, btw, the button i'm using is a Madvapes.com button which i really like but maybe its too confusing for me. Its a 300g pressure silver domed button with an actuator attached or some such? Lemme get the exact name/link for you guys Tactile Switch with Round actuator, 300g. It's called "Tactile Switch with Round actuator, 300g."

Any help? Did i totally futz my whole thing up trying to be clever?

Sachi

 

[sachiaiko]

my box mod was easy :sniffsniffs: I got all big headed :chuckles:

 

[sachiaiko]

Oh CRIMINY. :grumps: I just read this review on the site

I prefer the 100g over the 300g version due to less pressure and softer click, but this has a great click and very nice profile. For those complaining about reliability this is a 50ma switch, meaning .05 of an amp, a typical atty pulls 1.5 amps at 3.7v, you MUST use a FET or regulator with this switch.

 

[WillyB]

So, i thought about it for a while then dug out the plexi lense and notched the side of it, GLUED a battery connector to one side, soldered a wire to that connector, then took a negative wire and added a BIG bead of solder to it(For the ground, to touch the side of the flashlight) and threaded those two through the notch before gluing the lense in place

I'd say most torch mods don't work right due to the grounding, a blob of solder that may be making contact with the body is a mistake, and even if it did at first eventually it wont. And using that press fit PCB works the same way. Iffy and unrelaible over the long haul.

Get yourself a more common type of switch that uses nuts.

Then you can establish a nice solid GND.

You also don't need the little PCB or the spring that's on most. Just make a little disc and use a round head stove bolt and nut for your positive terminal.

I just use an old torch body, heat it and pound through some plastic,

That's just the bottom of a plastic coffee can.

Bolt, disc, washer, wrap some wire around it and a nut. If you like you can solder your wire to the washer then clamp it with the nut. A dab of epoxy and it's done.

 

[sachiaiko]

Wow, thanks so much for this response.

I know my response is coming late but i will deffinately look into how you did that and maybe i can finally manage a torch mod. I have recently been thinking about making one of those mods using Pipe Nipples instead, it seems like a simple mechanical design that i cant futz up. I just have to find a good way to decorate it now!! :Grins:

I wounder if any of those "skinz" designing website will make a skin for a my pipe mod?

Thank you belatedly for such a great and informative response. I really do appreciate it.

Be well,

Sachi