Stuck battery in LD20

[Sazabi]

I went to use my Fenix LD20 last night, to find the battery was dead. I unscrewed the head to find the battery had swelled, and is very difficult to extract. I used a MP400 to pull out the battery as far as I can, marring the nipple, but I can't pull it out any further.  Any suggestions on how to finish extracting the battery to save the flashlight?

[Fuzzbucket]

Could you post a pic please?

[GearedForwards]

Pics would help, but you could try bunging it in the freezer for a while to hopefully make the battery contract a little?

If yo ucan get a grip on it, twisting as you pull should help dislodge it as well.

[Aloha]

Dang, thats not fun.  I was thinking a little lube?  Maybe something you'd use for the treads on the light?  A very small amount to aid in extraction. 

Good luck. 

[Mechanickal]

Freezer indeed.
I was once sceptical about that, untill it turned out to be the solution for something else.

[Aloha]

 

[greenbear]

I've had this problem over the years with D Cell Maglites.  The issue is caused by lesser quality batteries, hence, I tend to pay a bit more for Duracells etc. 

With the Maglites I used to put them in freezer as has been suggested (and then shake them) and if that didn't work spray WD40 down the torch, let it work its way right through beyond the battery and then either shake vertically or swing the torch. Often, with heavier batteries that works.  It may not be as successful with an LD20 as the battery is lighter.

Plan B is to drill the battery and attempt to hook it out. This is usually only moderately successful and it ruins your tools and exposes you to nasty chemicals, but it can be done.  Drill the centre of the battery for almost all its length and the try to pry the outer case away from the outer wall of the torch. I cannot stress strongly enough that this is the absolute last resort as it may trash the torch in the process.

Either way good luck and I hope you are able to get it sorted 

[Sazabi]

I just tried twisting it while pulling to no luck. I'm going to throw it in the freezer for a little bit.

[Aloha]

Dang.  Be interesting to see how it works for you.  Love the simple notion that the freezer works which I really like. 

[enki_ck]

I just hope it usn't stuck due to a leak :/

[parnass]

To get a better grip on the stuck battery:

Drill a small hole in the exposed end of the battery.  Screw a wood screw with large threads into the hole. Pull on the screw using a pliers.

Then, there is what is known as the "freeze pop" method in which you fill the flashlight with water behind the battery and close off the end of the flashlight which contains the water.  Place the flashlight inside the freezer over night and the water will expand while it freezes, pushing the battery out farther.

[Sazabi]

I have the body in the freezer still.  I would try the water method, however the problem is that the flashlight body has a switch on the tail, and I don't know if it would be damaged by the freezing water.

[Aloha]

 

I would not have thought to drill battery. 

[gregozedobe]

I was going to suggest the drill & screw method but parnass beat me to it. 

Assuming it was an alkaline battery that leaked, then if freezing  and/or screw doesn't work then you could try some vinegar - it is a mild acid and it can sometimes dissolve enough of the alkaline deposits to loosen the battery. I'd unscrew the tailcap with the switch first (if it isn't stuck as well).

Generally speaking it is good practice to always remove alkaline batteries from anything that isn't going to be used regularly.  Almost all alkaline batteries will leak eventually, and are more prone to leaking once they get flat.  I usually suggest lithium primary batteries for any device that isn't going to be used regularly, they cost more but leaks are much less common.

[Sazabi]

I usually use lithium primaries in my few used lights, but I didn't have any on hand.  The sucky thing is I just used the light the week before without any issues.

[smiller43147]

I've had this issue and tried the drill it out method.  I've had a couple that I didn't have to use a screw, after the drill bit got an inch to an inch and a half it caught and started spinning the battery (get a good grip on the flashlight) and I could gently pull the battery out with the drill bit!

[Syncop8r]

I still have to remove the remains of a battery from inside an Olight I3S EOS... it's at the stage where only a drill will save it.

[gregozedobe]

I still have to remove the remains of a battery from inside an Olight I3S EOS... it's at the stage where only a drill will save it.

You might have to use progressively large drill bits until there's not much battery left, then lever out the remains.  But be careful not to drill too far in and damage anything.

[Sazabi]

No luck on my end as of yet, unfortunately.

[gregozedobe]

No luck on my end as of yet, unfortunately.

What have you tried so far ?

[Syncop8r]

You might have to use progressively large drill bits until there's not much battery left, then lever out the remains.  But be careful not to drill too far in and damage anything.

Yeah I think I have now done as much drilling as I should; almost all of the battery wall is gone from the perimeter of the battery compartment, I have emptied it of a dark powder and I think I'm looking at the end of the battery still in there.

The drill press I used only had one speed - fast. If it could go slowly I may have had a chance of the bit rotating the remains of the battery.
 
Now to find something to pry with...

[Syncop8r]

Olight I3S EOS

Can someone please tell me what sort of spring is in the end of these? I have another similar model with a coil spring.
There's a springy piece of metal in the end of this one and I'm not sure if it's some remnants of the battery (in which case I will try to pull it out with some needlenose pliers) or some sort of spring. 

[Blackbeard]

is the i3s the silver one? or was that an older name for this model, I have a few I can dig out an check.

[Blackbeard]

ahh nvrmind, I found the 13s its the older version, just so many of these i3's laying around from all their free promos its a bit ridiculous...anyways there is a brass/goldish colored spring in the tailcap, has about 3-4 coils about 3/8" diameter at base and about 3/16' diameter at top of spring, and guessing the overall height of it is just under 3/8"

And looking at newer i3e spring vs older i3s they are almost identical, so you may be able to swap one in...I even tried the i3s head on the i3e body it kinda fits and you still get 3 modes but it doesnt go down threads as far as it should.

[Syncop8r]

OK so it's the same as the spring in my brass Olight (I can't remember what it's called, their model names are too confusing).
Thanks for looking Blackbeard. 

I'll keep prying... 

[Mechanickal]

Free Olights??

I had to buy every I3 I have.
And Olight decided to screw me over with the Seeker 2.

3 months and still no flashlight in my hands :/

Anyway, I hope you'll get it fixed Synco!

[Sazabi]

I tried the freezer and momentum forces and pliers to no luck, thus far.

[Syncop8r]

I tried the freezer and momentum forces and pliers to no luck, thus far.

You could try the drill a small hole and screw method mentioned earlier, or I wonder if drilling two holes on opposite sides then inserting needlenose pliers and twisting would work?
Hopefully you can get it out whole rather than obliterated like mine.

[Syncop8r]

I think the piece of metal that's left (I think it's stuck to the spring) is the Collector.
I don't think it's a carbon cathode. 

(Sorry for hijacking your thread Sazabi)

[pfrsantos]

Isn't drilling the battery dangerous? I thought they had corrosive liquid inside, like you see when they leak.

If drilling is OK, why not try to use a thin corkscrew, like you'd do with a bottle?

I remember seeing a video where you threw a small lirhium battery in water and it would explode. Could this happen if you use that water+freezer trick?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNMfe20I_IE