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Difference between revisions of "Troubleshooting"
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===The Switch=== | ===The Switch=== | ||
Most lights have a tail clicky that you can unscrew and reveal the battery in the tube and the body of the light. Remove the switch and use a wire or something metal to connect the negative of the battery to the body of the light. A paperclip is useful for this. Make sure you find a bare metal part, most metal coatings and anodizing do not conduct electricity. | [[File:Tailcap.jpg|thumb|left|The tail of the flashlight showing the retaining ring with dimples.]][[File:Tail.jpg|thumb|End of flashlight with tail removed showing negative end of battery]]Most lights have a tail clicky that you can unscrew and reveal the battery in the tube and the body of the light. Remove the switch and use a wire or something metal to connect the negative of the battery to the body of the light. A paperclip is useful for this. Make sure you find a bare metal part, most metal coatings and anodizing do not conduct electricity. | ||
If it lights up, the problem is in the switch. Here is an [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=236906 excellent guide] on using a voltmeter to test flashlights. | If it lights up, the problem is in the switch. Here is an [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=236906 excellent guide] on using a voltmeter to test flashlights. | ||
Without getting too involved, one common problem with the tail switch is that the retaining ring isn't screwed down tightly. The ring usually has dimples in it and needlenose pliers can be used to screw that ring down tight. Not too tight, it just shouldn't be loose. | Without getting too involved, one common problem with the tail switch is that the retaining ring isn't screwed down tightly. The ring usually has dimples in it and needlenose pliers can be used to screw that ring down tight. Not too tight, it just shouldn't be loose. | ||
If you have an amp meter, you can touch one probe to bare metal of the light and the other to the end of the battery. If no power is being transmitted, the problem isn't the switch. If a lot of power is being transmitted, but there is no light, there is an electrical short. This is '''very dangerous''' because shorting out a battery can cause it to overheat, vent, or explode. | If you have an amp meter, you can touch one probe to bare metal of the light and the other to the end of the battery. If no power is being transmitted, the problem isn't the switch. If a lot of power is being transmitted, but there is no light, there is an electrical short. This is '''very dangerous''' because shorting out a battery can cause it to overheat, vent, or explode.<br clear="all"> | ||
===The Head=== | ===The Head=== | ||