Smart Superflash switching by itself

[summerdays]

One of my super-flashes seems to be able to turn itself on and off sometimes with vibrations from the road. I noticed this morning it seemed to be on just after I got it out of the shed (presumably bump down when getting it out as I didn't notice it on when I opened the shed), then it changed its flash mode when I lent it against the back door to get out my son's bike. And it managed to turn itself off on route to school. We were then able to make it change by bumping the back of the bike ... took it off and switched through the options a couple of times and it stayed on during the half-mile ride back. I wanted it on this morning due to the low sun-angle.

It isn't a case that it has got wet recently - as I know that they are supposed to have that reputation though it only ever affected one of my Smarts after a complete deluge and even then it just turned permanently on. It does get knocked sometimes ... its on the end of my rack so the casing can go flying every now and again.

Is it basically kaput ... or is it a case of cleaning a connection (or what ever you suggest - I'm non technical)? I don't want a light I can't trust.

 

[magnatom]

I've had similar problems with other lights, specifically with my Mars 4.0's. I've found that the batteries aren't always held in position tight enough and when yo hit a bump it can 'loose contact'. I've fixed that with the Mars 4.0, by putting in a bit of paper against the backplate, so when I close it it holds the batteries more firmly. Try something along those lines and see if it helps.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

It is a problem I had with one of my Smarts. It is easily fixed.

Take off the lens (front cover) and on the bottom of the main unit you will see a small black button. This is the microswitch which operates when you press the bottom of the casing. If the button is too tightly pressed against the casingwhen it is assembled, you get the symptoms you have experienced.

To sort it, use a very fine needle file or you could use some very fine wet and dry paper (dry of course) on a nail file and file away at the button. I stress only the tiniest amount needs to be eased away, so file a bit, then re-assemble and switch the unit on and off a few times. You are aiming to get the light to illuminate with a comfortably firm press on the base of the casing.

 

[amaferanga]

It is a problem I had with one of my Smarts. It is easily fixed.

Take off the lens (front cover) and on the bottom of the main unit you will see a small black button. This is the microswitch which operates when you press the bottom of the casing. If the button is too tightly pressed against the casingwhen it is assembled, you get the symptoms you have experienced.

To sort it, use a very fine needle file or you could use some very fine wet and dry paper (dry of course) on a nail file and file away at the button. I stress only the tiniest amount needs to be eased away, so file a bit, then re-assemble and switch the unit on and off a few times. You are aiming to get the light to illuminate with a comfortably firm press on the base of the casing.

+1, but I sorted mine by bending the switch away from the housing. I applied a bit of pressure and it didn't actually look like the switch moved at all, but when I put the light back together and used it the auto-switching was gone. I've done this with 2 lights now and both have worked flawlessly since.


Might be worth trying before you try filing the switch.

 

[summerdays]

I'm wondering if Gerry is right but that it was maybe due to how I put the housing back on after the last fall (I'm sure I remember it going flying last week... opps just remembered when ... when I fell off on a slightly muddy road... and then I picked up the bits). I've re-assembled the pieces and so far so good... but I will test it in the day time and use one of the other lights in the dark for now. And if it misbehaves then I will try the options suggested above.

Thank you.

 

[Davidc]

I'm wondering if Gerry is right

Yes - I've had the same thing, after dropping one taking it off. what he says cured mine.

If you have trouble with the lights falling out of the clip try building the clip body in the middle section up with about 2mm of araldite (or similar) so that you have to push the light in harder and pull harder to get it out. Stopped mine falling out.