Romisen RC-N3 Q5 troubleshooting/battery recommendations

[due ruote]

I've had this torch for a couple years. When it works it's nice and bright, but I have a lot of trouble with it going out. I can get it to go back on by smacking it, but that gets old when it's every couple hundred yards.

I've been using 2x AA batteries in it. They tend to rattle around, which I've largely mitigated by wrapping them with masking tape. This helped a bit, but hasn't eliminated the blackout problem by any stretch. Would I have better luck with rechargeables, and if so, can I get a recommendation?

Or is it more likely that there's something fundamentally wrong with the innards, and if so can these things be repaired by a newb like me?

Thanks for any advice.

[njkayaker]

More tape.

(I use clear packing tape.)

Basically, the tube is wider at the front-half to accommodate different battery types. Any alternative battery would have to be wider and fit more snugly.

I don't think it's "something fundamentally wrong with the innards".

[due ruote]

More tape.

I guess I'll try that, although it's already verging on difficult to get the batteries in/out. Maybe the slippery finish of clear tape would help in that regard.

I think the rechargeable batteries have a slightly larger dia. which is why I asked about those. I just don't want to buy the batteries + charger if in fact the problem is with the light itself.

[10 Wheels]

there's something fundamentally wrong with the innards

[due ruote]

there's something fundamentally wrong with the innards

So essentially you're saying there's nothing wrong with the battery contacts but rather the problem is with the electronics? I know nothing of these devices but it's pretty obvious there's more going on than in the old days when it was just batteries, a filament and an on/off switch.

Do you have an opinion of what's wrong and whether it could be fixed, or should I just shop for a new light?

[seeker333]

Romisen RC-N3s are pretty tough in my experience. I have 4 that have been dropped on concrete numerous times, never a single problem. I got mine from ShiningBeam, and run them mostly with RCR123 cells. Only occasionally use 2xAAs. RC-N3 is a good pocket-size work light.

Try different cells. They vary in size (diameter and length), despite well-established dimensional standards. Some combinations of cells and flashlights do not work well.

If you bought the light from DX or KD, then it may be junk, since they sell a lot of defective lights. I recommend you go to SB for a replacement if this is the case.

[davidad]

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...(budget-lights)

[due ruote]

Romisen RC-N3s are pretty tough in my experience. I have 4 that have been dropped on concrete numerous times, never a single problem. I got mine from ShiningBeam, and run them mostly with RCR123 cells. Only occasionally use 2xAAs. RC-N3 is a good pocket-size work light.

Try different cells. They vary in size (diameter and length), despite well-established dimensional standards. Some combinations of cells and flashlights do not work well.

If you bought the light from DX or KD, then it may be junk, since they sell a lot of defective lights. I recommend you go to SB for a replacement if this is the case.

I got it from ShiningBeam. I'll try different cells, and if that doesn't work, go through the troubleshooting steps at davidad's link. Thanks.

[wayback]

Checking back to see how you got the battery problem worked out. Did you try using fatter NiMH rechargeables?