In this world where everything is advancing a little bit every day, the demand for more convenience is on the rise. The same can be said for flashlights which is why nowadays the most popular torches are powered by LED. What stands for light-emitting diode is an efficient type of “bulb” that uses either the same or even less amount of power than a conventional halogen bulb whilst being able to output a brighter light.
LED torches are some of the best on the market when it comes to illumination itself. But the LED technology also makes for more feature-packed flashlights too. They are cost-efficient and good for the environment since the batteries they’re often paired with last for a very long time and are usually rechargeable. But how is it that LED technology is so beneficial for flashlight use?
How Do LED Flashlights Work?
An LED flashlight doesn’t have an actual bulb inside its hosing, instead it relies on semiconductors to produce light. A torch LED flashlight produces light thanks to the movement of electrodes. The N and P-type junction in each semiconductor allow for a current flow to happen thus the movement of electrodes, This is why they do not get as hot when operating for long periods of time which is what makes them so efficient.
The diode creates light with the help of atoms which come into little packets of energy. They move without nay mass and when they are combined they form photons, which is what light is comprised of on a fundamental level. LEDs were first seen used since the early 1960s in devices such as TVs, computers, and traffic light but it took some advancements for them to be implemented in flashlights. Today, you can find a torch LED flashlight that can suit a variety of uses from hiking to hunting, signalling, cave-exploration, diving and personal protection.
How to Replace LED Flashlight Bulb?
Of course, these flashlights aren’t everlasting. After years of heavy use, the bulb may give out. However, that doesn’t mean you need to throw the entire flashlight away. You can find a bulb replacement and install it into your LED flashlight to prolong its use.
What You’ll Need
Before you start taking everything apart from the flashlight, you’ll need to gathers some tools and supplies. Obviously, you’ll need a replacement LED assembly alongside a 2 cm, 1 to 0.34 mm2 cable. You’ll only need the cable for its jacket though. For the tools, you’ll need a solder, a small head screwdriver, wire cutter as well as hot glue and a file which are optional.
Removal
1. Before you get to the bulb itself you need to take it apart. Whilst not completely there is still some disassembling needed. Start off first with the batteries. To remove the batteries you usually need to unscrew the cap on the bottom of the LED torch. If it’s your first time doing this you may find it difficult to turn the cap. You should try opening it with a rubber glove on instead and once you have it off the batteries should slide right out.
2. Next you need to remove the glass cover. To do this get a hold of the collar that’s holding the glass and turn it counter-clockwise. This will unscrew it and then the entire head assemble should come off exposing the bulb. This should be followed by removing the bulb from its housing. There is usually a metal collar around the base of the bulb that you need to remove to take the bulb out. You need to turn this metal collar counter-clockwise until you unscrew it. Once it’s undone, the bulb will come out with it.
Installation
1. Get the old bulb and take it off its base (the metal part holding it). Remove it by moving it left then right multiple times until you feel it getting loose, then just pull it out. Use the screwdriver to clean the base. Next, you need to prepare the LED piece.
2. To prepare the LED you need to first identify the anode and cathode with the former carrying the negative charge and the latter the positive charge. The smaller piece of metal is the anode whilst the cathode is a bit longer. Once you can tell one another bend the cathode so that it forms a 90° angle.
3. Once that’s done, strip the small piece of wire from its jacket and fit it to the anode pin, This will help avoid shorting to the negative base. Next, bend the cathode pin to the negative solder pad on the base and solder it. Then you can use either hot glue or clear tape to seal the border of the anode. This is needed to avoid shorting.
4. Get the file and clean the bulb negative contact because it comes in contact with the sliding switch which connects it to the negative of the battery. Then assemble everything back together and your torch LED flashlight is ready for everyday use. Of course, don’t forget to test it before you assemble it, as you don’t want to do the same thing all over again to make some corrections or fix the wiring. Make sure to replace the batteries too to ensure that the new LED works just fine.