vishwin

My Cygolite HotShot SL randomly decided to turn itself on with my bike still parked in my room. The light was stuck in solid mode with no way to shut it off or change the mode. Plugging into USB (to charge the unit, normally) did not do anything, but I expected that from the unit being on anyway.

As I was typing this post originally, it randomly turned on and off, sometimes cycling between modes as well, all while "charging". It returned to normal behaviours after a few minutes. However, as soon as I unplugged, it returned to the unresponsive solid state.

I've had a Planet Bike LED tail light that finally gave up running after acting berserk about six months ago; perhaps the same kind of problem?

KlingOn

My Cygolite Metro does this at random. Sometimes the symptoms last 10 minutes, sometimes for days.

But for me it didn't start until the unit was about 2 years old and endured daily, all-weather, all-season use, so I couldn't really complain. It gave me it's 45€ worth.

My daughter has a see-through rubber ball for her chinchilla. It opens up, you put the chinchilla inside, and it can run around the house and explore that way. It's soft rubber, feels like a deflated soccer ball. If you put the unit inside one of those and shake vigorously, that tends to work.

You know, every serious cyclist mechanic needs a chinchilla ball, right dude?

Cyril 

With or without the chinchilla inside?

KlingOn

My God, I hate that chinchilla so much, man. Next time I'll try for it inside.

vishwin

So I let my Cygolite sit there and charge during the Super Bowl, and lo and behold we're back to normal! Still interested to know what caused something like this to even happen at all, considering my unit's at most only five months old.

vishwin

Just called Cygolite tech support. Could be a problem with the internal board.

pdlamb

First choice, get Cygolite to repair/replace under warranty.

Second choice, take everything apart that can be taken apart, and let everything dry overnight. Cross you fingers and hope that there was some moisture intrusion.

vishwin

That's what the support rep indirectly suggested over the phone when he mentioned sending the unit for them to take a look.

I suspected that as well, and like I said before, I let it charge during the Super Bowl and overnight, so it had to dry during that time. The symptoms happened again after returning from a very short (< 2 km) ride with the unit on the bike and everything working, which is when I called them up. Support rep had me email; may be getting that warranty service.

Hraffle

mine did this too. I took it apart and it was full of water. Three screws. Let’s see how it does tomorrow.

Inusuit

Welcome to Bike Forums. Generally considered in bad taste here to revive a zombie threat that's eight years old.