New Fenix UC35 seems DOA. Want to check prior to returning.

Swiss Reformer · **on:** September 04, 2020, 12:06:50 AM

Just received a Fenix UC35 1000 Lumen flashlight. Seems DOA, but would like to check w/ some folks more knowledgeable than I before I return it, to be sure I'm not overlooking something obvious.

Here's what I know:

- I did remove the thin, circular piece that separates the rear of the battery from the light's end cap connection, which prevents the light from turning on during shipping.

- It would not turn on after unboxing, so figured battery was dead. Instructions say a full charge takes about 3.5 hours. I did that, and checked every half hour for function. No go.

- Instructions say a light in the forward function button lights up red while charging, turning to green when charged. Each time I checked for function and plugged it back in (unit isn't supposed to function while charging), the red light would come on, then after about 20 seconds it would turn to green...which would indicate the battery is charged...but odd that it started out red each time, even when the light wasn't using any juice.

- I checked the area where the forward part of the battery meets it's connection, and didn't find anything that would cause a separation.

Sounds DOA to me, but that would be pretty unusual with an item like this. What do you think?

Thanks in advance ~

Aloha · **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2020, 12:34:46 AM

Could be a simple as a bum cell? I would call and see what Fenix says

.

Swiss Reformer · **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2020, 12:42:59 AM

Sure, could be. My knowledge base is fairly low, so wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something obvious. Unlikely, of course, but one never knows.

Swiss Reformer · **Reply #3 on:** September 04, 2020, 01:32:42 AM

Curiosity got the best of me and I went and got a couple of batteries at the drug store. Flashlight works, so the re-chargeable battery that came with the light is bad. I'll exchange the flashlight for another and hold on to the standard batteries as a backup.

Aloha · **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2020, 05:44:18 AM

glad it wasn't the light itself. Bummer the cell was a dud but you'll have a light up and running now.

Gareth · **Reply #5 on:** September 04, 2020, 11:52:58 AM

Glad you got it sorted. It might be worth dropping Fenix a note and letting them know you had a bad cell with your new light. It can't hurt and you might get a replacement.

Smashie · **Reply #6 on:** September 04, 2020, 12:40:51 PM

Just to add to this, not all USB chargeable batteries are created equal.

I have one that you have to fiddle with the cable to get it to charge, put it in all the way then it wont charge.

Swiss Reformer · **Reply #7 on:** September 04, 2020, 06:04:49 PM

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'll definitely contact Fenix and let them know.

I didn't care for the idea of getting 2 of those CR123 batteries just to test it, but decided they would be useful as backups, and assuming they did the trick, would let me put the light through its' paces so I could decide to either exchange it it I liked it, or just return it if I didn't.

I like it. A lot.

Blackbeard · **Reply #8 on:** September 05, 2020, 07:59:20 AM

Do you have a multi meter? Or if you buy a charger it can tell you the voltage of the 18650 cell, it does sound like the protection circuit on the battery tripped.