SOLVED: How to fix a circuit programmed with planned obsolescence to malfuncti - Cyclops Helios

How to fix a circuit programmed with planned obsolescence to malfuncti

I bought (2) headlamps at the end of April 2016. On December 20th, 2017, my headlamp began flashing erratically & could only be turned off by removing both batteries. I immediately put fresh batteries into my other headlamp & it began blinking erratically like the previous headlamp. Again, the only change that I could make in the light's pattern of blinking was to remove both batteries thereby turning off the light completely. No damage is visible on either headlamp. After only 1.5 years of nightly use of either one headlamp or the other headlamp purchased together, both preform erratically without wear being at fault.

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Were you using it in a humid envornment?

Dec 25, 2017 by Truckguy

Posted: Dec 25, 2017

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Hi @indigoart57 ,

Here is a link to the ifixit Cyclops Helios Teardown guide.

Once you have stripped it down, inspect it for obvious problems such as dry joint, loose or broken connections on the pcb, switch, battery compartment etc.

Be sure to check for any corrosion on the pcb etc as well. If there is corrosion, gently clean it off using IPA 90%+ (Isopropyl Alcohol - available at most pharmacies)

Also ensure that the battery compartment spring terminal tensioners exert enough pressure on the battery terminal for a good connection and that they and the other end terminal connections are clean and bright.

If nothing is evident and it is still malfunctioning after being re-assembled enough to test if it works, use a Voltmeter (or Ohmmeter - with the batteries removed from the headlamp) to see if the problem can be tracked down to a particular area.

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How to fix a circuit programmed with planned obsolescence to malfuncti

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