Managed to ruin brand-new flashlight

[Corwyn]

Got a very nice Ultrafire XML-T6 from SPAMCORP. Really loved it, but my fiancee loved it too, so I had to buy myself a second one 

The second one is slightly different, smooth button, strange coloured bottom, but I hated that it felt just a bit loose on the zoom.

So I opened the top part and a ball and a spring fell out... I've been struggling for 3 days to figure out where they fell off from. I could take apart my fiance's, but I already broke one flashlight this week...

Now it still works, but the zoom ring is floppy. It locks at max-zoom and min-zoom, but at midpoints it rolls freely and rattles.

Does anyone have one of these or similar? Where do I put the ball and spring? Are they broken off? Should there be more of them? (I see 5 slots in the housing...)

[dks]

On one end of the spring (the one towards the ring) there was a small ball bearing that clicked in the inside grooves of the ring "locking" it and making the clicking noise.

You need to find that ball bearing or a similar one. It is the same diameter as the coils of the spring.

[dks]

I see you have the ball.

There should be a hole in the body for the spring

[Mr. Whippy]

On one end of the spring (the one towards the ring) there was a small ball bearing that clicked in the inside grooves of the ring "locking" it and making the clicking noise.

You need to find that ball bearing or a similar one. It is the same diameter as the coils of the spring.

Ok, this sort of random expertise is absolutely priceless.  It is the strength of MTO.  I don't know how it could be done, but it would be great if this sort of thing could end up in a FAQ somehow...

[Corwyn]

Yap... found both and the hole.. but what's the order?
If I put the spring first, than the ball on top, I can't screw in the light.
If I put the ball first, than the spring on it, the spring bends a bit when I put in the light.. it's a bit better to turn than without spring but rattles really bad still...

[dks]

Spring first, push the ball down as you screw the ring.

wait for a picture.. 1min

[dks]

.

[dks]

So in the model I have MXDL SA22 you need to push the ball down, with your finger or nail as you move down and screw the ring.

[Mr. Whippy]

Interesting.  I bet there's a machined groove in the ring that the ball rides in.  might be worth a touch of lube (?vaseline) on the ball before assembly.

[dks]

..... to take that picture, now,  I had to spend a few minutes finding the ball which shot up when I took it apart 

What I have learned is never take it apart unless a member here is in need.

[dks]

here is a picture from Gareth's and enki's thread

There is no groove in the ring in my model. I just checked, again...

[Corwyn]

 

Works like a charm - turns properly, no wobble, and only rattles a bit (but that's the zoomie ring not being properly connected to the lens.

dks you're the man. 

Thanks for the help and the photos and the search for the ball  .

PS: Now I realise what I was doing wrong: I tried the same thing, but from the inside. Didn't realise I should separate the zoomie ring first and put the spring in from the outside.

[dks]

I knew that buying all these cheap torches would come in handy one day 

Glad to have helped   

[Mr. Whippy]

Interesting how the ball works.  I guess they figure the screw threads will function to keep the ball moving in just the intended two directions.

[dks]

I have had mine for a few years and use it regularly ; it was also used by children as a toy for a few months.

Still works fine, so the system works. The main issue is that there seems to be little in the way of heat dissipation, something that was not an issue with mine (older cree) but could be an issue with XML cree emitters