Flashlight/Torch Repair Needed

MSGGrunt · Post by **MSGGrunt** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 1:45 am

Who would be willing and able to rebuild a couple glove box flashlights? Any members on here offer this service?

The white E24 ones would be my priority.

I prefer to send them out and get them back in working order. I know they are not the brightest but, having one that works is a small detail on my M6 refresh that I'd like to have taken care of.

Thanks

Da_Hose · Post by **Da_Hose** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:34 am

I rebuilt my white flashlight in my M6. Check out the thread below to see the document I made.

viewtopic.php?t=19603&start=0

I'd offer to rebuild it for you, but I am always NECK DEEP in projects and just don't know when I'd get to it for you.

Jose

MSGGrunt · Post by **MSGGrunt** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 10:49 am

Thanks for the link Da_Hose but, I found someone who will rebuild mine and convert them to LED. They are going into the mail today.

Da_Hose · Post by **Da_Hose** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:22 pm

Right on. I'm curious as to what LED will be installed.

Jose

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Fri Nov 20, 2015 6:25 pm

I'm working on rebuilding 2 I've got, and found this LED:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... /373/1713/

Dimensionally, it's exactly the same, and the voltage range is 1-9V, so it should be easy to work with. 1W should be very bright, too.

Still searching for batteries, as I'd rather not pay BMW for a more modern version just to crack for its batteries.

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Fri Nov 20, 2015 7:36 pm

Found a good battery source, too. The original VARTA 170 DK has been superseded by their V250H, which is a NiMH, as opposed to NiCad. Same voltage, a bit more current, and same physical dimensions;

http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/specia ... HwodhmQIeg

GRNSHRK · Post by **GRNSHRK** » Fri Nov 20, 2015 8:32 pm

Gents, anything special about upgrading to the LED

Or is this a simple "plug and play", as it appears to just screw in like the original bulb did

This thread got me thinking, now I gotta dig out my burnt out one and make it work again

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Fri Nov 20, 2015 8:38 pm

I don't have the parts in-hand yet, but will by the middle of next week. The LED should just drop right in, as the dimensions are very much the same. There are a number of other LED's available with the same base, but the appeal of the one I linked is that there is a single emitter in the correct spot, as opposed to several emitters oriented radially, and/or an overall diameter which is too large. I think this one will be the perfect choice.

I'll be sure to post pics when I'm all finished with the update.

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Fri Nov 20, 2015 8:44 pm

GRNSHRK wrote:Gents, anything special about upgrading to the LED :-k

Or is this a simple "plug and play", as it appears to just screw in like the original bulb did :roll:

This thread got me thinking, now I gotta dig out my burnt out one and make it work again [-o<

:mrgreen:

Just noticed where you are. You might be able to just stroll into Fry's Electronics and pick everything you need off the shelf. Wish we had them here in FL.

Also, here's an nice DIY with lots of useful pics:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E32/Torch/Index.htm

GRNSHRK · Post by **GRNSHRK** » Fri Nov 20, 2015 9:02 pm

Yes, we've got a Fry's right in my lovely town of Sunnyvale

Looks like I've got me a little project over the T'giving break

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:14 pm

Good news/Bad news on the flashlight repairs.

Good news is the batteries were easy to swap out, and they come with a full charge.

Bad news is the polarity of the LED is wrong, which I really should have noticed before I even ordered it. So, I used the old bulb, which is fine, and the LED has found use in another household flashlight.

I've got some component LED's I could have used, but my goal was to have a working OEM flashlight for show, and that's what I ended up with.

hornhospital · Post by **hornhospital** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:46 pm

Polarity is wrong? Simple: Swap the connections to the batteries. Flip the batteries and reconnect.

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:53 pm

Not really. The outer battery contact would have to be reshaped and insulated, the voltage-limiting resistor would have to be moved, and you'd have to reverse the wires in the glovebox charging port. Not worth the trouble, IMO.

sansouci · Post by **sansouci** » Tue Nov 24, 2015 1:30 am

dwcains wrote:Found a good battery source, too. The original VARTA 170 DK has been superseded by their V250H, which is a NiMH, as opposed to NiCad. Same voltage, a bit more current, and same physical dimensions;

http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/specia ... HwodhmQIeg

For some reason I thought the new Varta cell was slightly smaller in diameter and it needed some kind of sleeve such as cardboard to locate it properly.

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Tue Nov 24, 2015 1:58 am

No, the new batteries fit just like the old ones. Both have a bit of room to move around a little, but when the case is glued shut the friction holds everything in place and nothing rattles.

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Tue Nov 24, 2015 3:34 am

Well, there is a non-polar version of that LED available, but as far as I can find, only available in the UK. $14 shipped, so it should be here in a week or two.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271797982808

zinnocoupe · Post by **zinnocoupe** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:30 pm

Dwcains' when you say the batterys were easy to swap out. Where your old old ones soldered together etc. I have new batteries but I got stuck when I went to put the batteries back in. How did you connect the stacked batts back together? Any pics? It seems simple to me but Im not really an electronic type person. Also did you solder the connectors back on to the batteries?

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:40 pm

The bottom battery is held in place by the copper contact spring, and the top battery is held in place by the solder joint on the other contact. When you glue the case halves back together, the batteries are held in place and make contact with each other. The blob of solder on the top battery made for a tight fit, and without it, the batteries might be too loose, but I was lucky and they fit just right.

zinnocoupe · Post by **zinnocoupe** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 10:45 pm

You make it sound so simple, I guess that never occurred to me. I lost interest in that project a while ago.( like so many others) You've inspired me to look at that again. How did you glue it back together, I was hoping to find a way so that its easily pulled apart next time, not sure how long those batteries last.
Cheers BTW, that is a great price on those batteries.

dwcains · Post by **dwcains** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 11:05 pm

I used a few small dabs of superglue, applied with a toothpick. Not around the whole edge, though, just in several short segments, in case I need to crack it open again. The bulb can be changed without opening the case, but it's a little tricky to get a grip on the exposed tip.

I didn't have any trouble getting the solder to stick to the battery, but I just couldn't get any to stick to that previously welded terminal. So, I stripped back some of the wire's insulation, and soldered that section of wire to the battery.

It's brighter than I remember when it was new, but maybe that's the better batteries? I can't wait to see the new LED. Either way, not a great flashlight, but I like to have everything working, so this is one more box to check off.

zinnocoupe · Post by **zinnocoupe** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 12:05 am

Great that sounds good with the glueing. I was cosidering silicone but thats maybe a little messy. Please keep us updated on the new led. I agree, its a small thing but its the little things that make the vintage experience complete. The first aid kit, tool kit, etc. I would like to get my hands on the correct fire extinguisher and bracket as well. Thx Oh btw did you have your car and flashlight from new??!

MSGGrunt · Post by **MSGGrunt** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 2:44 am

My new LED light is on its way.

I agree with Zinnocoupe, it's all the little accessories that make the car just a bit more "polished" I already have the correct blue M6 only warning triangle, a NOS period correct first aid kit and a complete tool kit, though I do need the two correct M red handled screw drivers, original owners manuals and now the light.

I even found myself searching EBay for some vintage 80's hair band cassettes to go with my original radio.

zinnocoupe · Post by **zinnocoupe** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:23 am

There you go:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E9-3-0CS-E3 ... kX&vxp=mtr

Sorry just noticed they are new reproductions

Da_Hose · Post by **Da_Hose** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 8:05 am

Model glue works awesome to put it back together. Wrap with electrical tape to provide compression while it cures overnight.

Joae

Ralph in Socal · Post by **Ralph in Socal** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 8:21 am

zinnocoupe wrote:There you go:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E9-3-0CS-E3 ... kX&vxp=mtr

Sorry just noticed they are new reproductions

I wonder how much a set of as new originals are worth?

Ralph

bigcoupe.com

Flashlight/Torch Repair Needed

Flashlight/Torch Repair Needed

Procedure on the LED upgrade?

Re: Procedure on the LED upgrade?

Awesome Dean!!!