Long shot this. Opening a sealed head torch?

Discussion in 'OnBoard Electronics & Controls' started by Tiny Turnip, Dec 29, 2020.

  1. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    I have a somewhat elderly (8 years old?) but very good, very water resistant LED head torch for which the on/off switch has become increasingly intermittent to the point of hardly working at all. The unit is sealed and there are no spares still available. I'm resolved to buying a replacement, and the tech has come on hugely since I bought it of course.

    But, it was a very good head torch. So, I might as well open it, and have a fiddle, as I suspect the issue is mechanical/wear on the switch (silver button) rather than electronic. (I'll tackle basic wiring but LEDs are a dark art to me.)

    The question is, then - is there any less damaging tactic other than levering the two halves apart? My guess is that one side has barbed prongs which push in and snap locate into the other half. (seam runs along the equator of the silver buttons) The little 'wheels' with indents covering the hinges revolve but don't unscrew, and I can't see how they would help getting at the switch anyway.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks.
     

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  2. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Have you contacted the manufacturer? Who made it?
     
  3. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    It's a Fenix. Yes, talked to the uk representatives, who worked quite hard discovering it was obsolete and not serviceable. No help in the manuals either.
     
  4. upchurchmr
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    Good luck.
    Such things are generally designed to defeat what you want to do.

    What do you have to lose?

    LED's are just light bulbs that need the right voltage. Not magic.

    You really had me with the phrase "head torch". All kinds of imaginary things went thru my mind, before it became clear. :D:D:rolleyes:
     
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  5. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Michael Jackson came to mind. Hoo hoo! Terrible!
     
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  6. upchurchmr
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    That's kind of cruel. But appropriate.
     
  7. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    It was terrible.
     
  8. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    Ouch! For that, Hoyt, your punishment shall be to sing a Michael Jackson song. Which one? Oh, let me see now. How about 'I'm bad?'
     
  9. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    Yes, I've nothing to loose, and I'm fairly fearless under such circumstances. I once took a pair of tin snips to a smartphone which I *needed* to turn into a wearable computer. But those LEDs... The voltage doesn't matter so much as long as you control the current with the right resistor? Or failing that, something much more complicated? Sheesh. Where's my hammer and chisel? :D
     
  10. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Morphine
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2020
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  11. BertKu
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    BertKu Senior Member

    I would consider just to break it open and seal it afterwards with a product available via Amazone.uk . I use only the white CT-1 it can be used underwater and it seals underwater and I have many items sealed, even my electric toothbrush when it broke. I used it seal leaks I had. Marvelous stuff, but I don't know whether it is available in other colors like black. Bert
    P.S. just ask your buddy Google : CT1 sealant and you get lost of good and bad reviews. I haven't noticed that it turns yellow after 3 months , but after 2 years it is still white.
     
  12. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    Update: Well thanks for all your replies. The torch body has resisted all attempts at forced entry - (vice, chisel, mallet) and short of mashing it with my splitting maul, which would defeat the purpose rather, I've given up!
    I found a replacement which does most, but not all of what I would like.Difficult to get it all without buying two torches!
     
  13. Zilver
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    Zilver Junior Member

    A bit late, but you still could try heating it with a temperature controllable airgun or paintstripper (difficult because it's so hot). Usually such devices are glued just like smartphones. The glue lets go when warm enough. You could look on youtube for examples of screen replacement etc. to get an idea how to open.....
    Hans
     
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  14. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    Thanks Zilver - yes, I hadn't thought to try heat. Its a watertight fitting, so it will undoubtedly have a glued sealant. I've already been looking at phone screen replacement tutorials. I have to replace the back on my waterproof phone after I had some repairs done on it and they cracked the back and claimed it was already cracked when I gave it to them. :mad::rolleyes:
     
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