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keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:22:33 +0100, john royce wrote:
The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Sounds like a gentle squish of the end cap will do the job... |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
"PCPaul" wrote in message ... On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:22:33 +0100, john royce wrote: The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Sounds like a gentle squish of the end cap will do the job... Thanks. could you explain to a novish 'squish' ? would i need to do a degree course? |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
john royce wrote:
I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. run a rough file over the threads |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
All forwarded text?
-- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "john royce" wrote in message ... I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
Stormin Mormon wrote:
All forwarded text? I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. wrap a bit of foil around the threads. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
On Fri, 5 Jun 2009 17:15:21 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: All forwarded text? He's got a screw loose. Didn't you read the post? |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
On Fri, 5 Jun 2009 21:22:33 +0100, "john royce"
wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. If this is a typical Maglite then trash it. The switch mechanism will never be trouble free after the light is a few years old. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
"Blah" wrote in message
... john royce wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. run a rough file over the threads Wrap a few turns of Teflon pipe thread tape around the male threads so that the looseness is removed. You might have to rewrap frequently, depending on how much use the flashlight gets. Another suggestion is to cut a gasket out of a sheet of very thin rubber or vinyl sheet, lube it with silicone grease and wrap the gasket around the threads. -- Dave M masondg44 at comcast dot net One good thing about Alzheimer's; you get to meet new people every day. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
Blah wrote in
: john royce wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. run a rough file over the threads or tap the threads with a hammer to ding them up a bit,just enough to make the screw go in tightly. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
Dave M wrote:
"Blah" wrote in message ... john royce wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. run a rough file over the threads Wrap a few turns of Teflon pipe thread tape around the male threads so that the looseness is removed. You might have to rewrap frequently, depending on how much use the flashlight gets. Another suggestion is to cut a gasket out of a sheet of very thin rubber or vinyl sheet, lube it with silicone grease and wrap the gasket around the threads. won't that insulate it? ... |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
"Blah" wrote in message
... Dave M wrote: "Blah" wrote in message ... john royce wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. run a rough file over the threads Wrap a few turns of Teflon pipe thread tape around the male threads so that the looseness is removed. You might have to rewrap frequently, depending on how much use the flashlight gets. Another suggestion is to cut a gasket out of a sheet of very thin rubber or vinyl sheet, lube it with silicone grease and wrap the gasket around the threads. won't that insulate it? ... Actually, no. The contact between the lens housing and the body of the unit is actually made by the end of the body and a mating surface on the lens housing. If the Teflon tape is confined to the threads, the contact should be good. Also, the Teflon tape is extremely thin and is easily torn by the threads; providing more contact surface. The idea I was trying to suggest is to fill the gaps in the threads, reducing the tendency for it to unscrew itself. -- Dave M masondg44 at comcast dot net One good thing about Alzheimer's; you get to meet new people every day. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
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keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
Blah wrote:
Dave M wrote: "Blah" wrote in message ... john royce wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. run a rough file over the threads Wrap a few turns of Teflon pipe thread tape around the male threads so that the looseness is removed. You might have to rewrap frequently, depending on how much use the flashlight gets. Another suggestion is to cut a gasket out of a sheet of very thin rubber or vinyl sheet, lube it with silicone grease and wrap the gasket around the threads. won't that insulate it? ... If it IS a real MagLite, OP is mistaken about it being part of the circuit. You can actually take the nose off and use it as a base, and use the flashlight as a candle. (leastways, on the pre-LED versions) I suppose there are some knockoffs that use it as part of the circuit, but I have never seen any. Flickery light is almost always due to an internal spring getting wimpy. (Note- even on a full-size Mag, the side switch is repairable. A pain to get it out, but repairable.) -- aem sends... |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:37:29 -0500, Gordon Shumway
wrote: On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:53:30 -0400, wrote: If this is a typical Maglite then trash it. The switch mechanism will never be trouble free after the light is a few years old. What do you base your statement on? I have several of their flashlights and they all work well. One of my 3-Cell flashlights is over 20 years old and has spent all of those years in a non-heated garage. G.S. I base it on experience. I have had numerous small Maglites for years. They all eventually fail because the lens turn switch mechanism is a terrible idea for a long term switch. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
On Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:37:14 GMT, aemeijers wrote:
Blah wrote: Dave M wrote: "Blah" wrote in message ... john royce wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. run a rough file over the threads Wrap a few turns of Teflon pipe thread tape around the male threads so that the looseness is removed. You might have to rewrap frequently, depending on how much use the flashlight gets. Another suggestion is to cut a gasket out of a sheet of very thin rubber or vinyl sheet, lube it with silicone grease and wrap the gasket around the threads. won't that insulate it? ... If it IS a real MagLite, OP is mistaken about it being part of the circuit. FWIW, the OP didn't say it was a MagLite. (It helps to keep track of this stuff when I come in late and read the whole thread at once.) You can actually take the nose off and use it as a base, and use the flashlight as a candle. (leastways, on the pre-LED versions) I suppose there are some knockoffs that use it as part of the circuit, but I have never seen any. Flickery light is almost always due to an internal spring getting wimpy. (Note- even on a full-size Mag, the side switch is repairable. A pain to get it out, but repairable.) |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
On Fri, 5 Jun 2009 21:22:33 +0100, "john royce"
wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? Bend one of the threads a little bit. Not one at the open end. One 3 threads back, so that you can still use the good threads to start screwing it on, and they will be enough to pull it on when it gets to the bad thread. If you don't do it enough, you can do it more later. (make sure it is meant to screw on that far.) If you do it too much, you should be able to clean up the bad thread a bit by twisting a screwdriver in the groove. It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
Blah wrote:
john royce wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. run a rough file over the threads Hi, I'd try a piece of Al. ducp tape. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:37:29 -0500, Gordon Shumway
wrote: On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:53:30 -0400, wrote: If this is a typical Maglite then trash it. The switch mechanism will never be trouble free after the light is a few years old. What do you base your statement on? I have several of their flashlights and they all work well. One of my 3-Cell flashlights is over 20 years old and has spent all of those years in a non-heated garage. G.S. Yeah, but you are a space alien with, um, special powers... |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
john royce wrote:
I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. Most of these torches have an o'ring on the bit you turn them on with.Get a new o'ring or one a trifle bigger. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
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keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
john royce wrote:
I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. Screw the cap over a strip of paper along one side. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
On Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:30:06 -0400, E Z Peaces
wrote: john royce wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. Screw the cap over a strip of paper along one side. That sounds good too. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
Blah wrote:
john royce wrote: I have one of those small LED pocket torches (flashlight). To turn it on and off, I have to screw the end up towards the bulb end to compress the contacts against the battery. The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Thanks for any advice. run a rough file over the threads Or insert a piece of dowel, then crush the threads a little with a hammer. -- W . | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because \|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est ---^----^--------------------------------------------------------------- |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:29:54 +0100, john royce wrote:
"PCPaul" wrote in message ... On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:22:33 +0100, john royce wrote: The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Sounds like a gentle squish of the end cap will do the job... Thanks. could you explain to a novish 'squish' ? would i need to do a degree course? Depends how sturdy it is. If it's an AA-battery sized torch then probably just a quick 'bite' or a gentle tap with a block of wood would do the job. If it's more solid then a (padded) hammer could do it. The intention is just to make it very slightly out of round, so it makes a good solid connection and can't rattle loose. |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
PCPaul wrote in
om: On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:29:54 +0100, john royce wrote: "PCPaul" wrote in message ... On Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:22:33 +0100, john royce wrote: The thread in the screw end is an extremely 'loose' fit and tends to 'unscrew or scew up' when it sits in the car glove compartment for a while. Is there a way to *stiffen* this 'loosness' in the thread, without reducing the electrical conductivity? It needs to make good electrical contact for the torch to work, so I guess that rules out putting a dab of wood glue on the thread? Sounds like a gentle squish of the end cap will do the job... Thanks. could you explain to a novish 'squish' ? would i need to do a degree course? Depends how sturdy it is. If it's an AA-battery sized torch then probably just a quick 'bite' or a gentle tap with a block of wood would do the job. If it's more solid then a (padded) hammer could do it. The intention is just to make it very slightly out of round, so it makes a good solid connection and can't rattle loose. just ding the threads slightly and it will be tight and electrically connected. It's SO simple. just a tap with a hammer. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
keeping electrical conductivity on screw thread
Wrap a single strand of very thin wire around the threads.
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