rumrunn6

Hey do these start acting weird when the batteries get low? Like go off on their own, (duh), or go from flashing to steady-on by themselves? My battery tester broke but I think my batteries got too low for it to function properly, and I think my backups were old too. I had to stop on my way to work this morning and put my backups in - it flashed but when I got to work is was just steady-on. I put a fresh set in when I got to work and it's working fine, but when I put my backups (questionable) in - it also works fine. Maybe those lame backups rested and work OK for right now.

I have a fresh set of batteries in there now but just curious if anyone has had experiences like this.

Got to visit Radio Shack for a new battery tester ...

Febs

Mine is experiencing the same problem. I'll have to try changing the battery. I just assumed that the problem happened because it fell off my bike and was run over by a car. I was actually very impressed that it continued to work at all.

rumrunn6

I have found them to be fairly indestructible and even waterproof. However after riding in the rain I open them for good luck to let them dry our just in case any water did get in. I never saw any evidence of water though.

Bander

One of mine started doing this too and fresh batteries did not help. The switch is sometimes teh suk on these, I have seen others on BF complain about it too. Lately it seems to be functioning properly again though, maybe it got some moisture in there that eventually dried out? IDK

PGSteamner

My PB Superflashes were turning themselves on and off whenever I rode over a bump. It was the on/off button that was doing it - the button you press is just a thinned part of the case that flexes to press a little switch underneath.

To fix it I cut out the thin section of the case, allowing me to directly press the little switch. To keep dirt and water out I covered the hole with loose tape.

spock

I have a superflash 1/2 watt version and when batteries get low it flashes a lot slower and that seems like a prety good design to me.

truman

I've had that happen when moisture got in the case. I make a wrap of electrical tape around where the case separates and that seems to prevent it. Only low battery issues I've had were the light becoming dim.

127.0.0.1

teh microswitch is cheap junk with low quality low life contacts


the cure is hog out the switch, and solder in a real one, or return to pbk for replacement

rumrunn6

I put it under a lamp for now, hoping that will help dry it out before my ride home.

CCrew

Any time mine's gone flaky (and I have like 8 of the darn things) it's been moisture. I usually just pull the batts, and leave it open to dry for a few hours. So far I've been lucky and all have worked after.

-R

MyWar

My taillight, not a PB Superflash, likes to shut off on its own while I'm riding when the batteries get low. Also, my headlight will shut off, get really dim, or just be really difficult to turn on/off when it gets remotely wet.

p.s. to anyone considering a Trek Ion6 headlight: Never buy this light, ever!

Ka_Jun

Yes. Time for new batteries or a charge.

rumrunn6

all better now, fresh batteries, and also dried it out at the office, and pulled out the contacts a tiny but for a tighter fit

ChipSeal

If you suspect that the switch is sensitive to bumps and whatnot, you could try mounting the PBSF upside down.

cycle16v

Changed out my batteries when the "super" flash got a little dim. Other than that, the light works like a champ! A guy in his car rode up beside me when I was riding off to work in the dark of morning and said, "I can see your light a long way back...that's one good light you got back there!" (told him thanks) and he drove off.

mds0725

They don't like kryptonite.

BA Commuter

I have the PB Superflash Stealth model and it works fine all of the time. My batteries last a year or so. When they're low, I put 2 new AAAs in and I'm good to go for another year...

ghettocruiser

Moisture. Open it and dry it on a vent.

Or on top a CRT monitor at work, if anyone still has one.

crhilton

When mine go low it flashes normally but if you put it on steady it drains the charge within 30 seconds. That's how I know when to charge the batteries, I usually check them when I get home.

Your problem sounds like the switch is getting flipped. I concur with an earlier poster that there's probably water in the switch and it's causing occasional contact. That or the thing that makes it blinks (I have no idea how that works) is fried.