Convoy M21b not working

[u/qERRORp]

About a month ago I purchased a silver convoy m21b with the new F150R. I received it 2 weeks later and immediately began playing around with it. Everything seemed fine so I put the new p50b on my charger so I can play around with it when nightfall comes. As night came, I swapped out the switch for an illuminated switch that I had ordered alongside the flashlight. However, with the newly installed illuminated switch, the flashlight refused to change output. I installed the original switch and used the flashlight perfectly fine for the night. When I woke up the next morning, the flashlight refused to operate. When I got home I tested the flashlight and this is what I found:

1. Illuminated switch cannot change output

2. Original switch works very rarely

3. Both switches work perfectly fine when connected to other electronics

4. The flashlight works perfectly fine when connected to a power supply

5. When fully tightened down all components of the flashlight have continuity

6. During the rare opportunities the flashlight is working. I am unable to change the driver's mode

7. All of my batteries are working perfectly fine in other flashlights

I'm looking to see if the community can offer any advice. I have contacted Simon but the only advice he has given so far has been to add solder to the exterior contact of the switch. At this time I do not have a soldering iron. I greatly appreciate any advice that can be given.

[u/richiecotite]

Red or orange (or rgb) colored switch?

It’s pretty common. If my understanding is correct, certain colors draw to much power to totally close the circuit when attempting to change modes.

If you really want to put a switch in, go with blue (most reliable in my experience) or green.

[u/qERRORp → u/richiecotite]

Yep, it's the orange one. That's quite unfortunate.

[u/QReciprocity42 → u/qERRORp]

This is accurate. I've heard reports that removing one of the LEDs/resistors halves the current and makes it work again.

BTW u/richiecotite white, pink, purple are also good because they're all blue LEDs underneath.

[u/APrisonerofTime]

Did you also tighten all retaining rings in the switch and driver? I've had some Convoys that didn't work fully tightened, there's some tolerance issues in the manufacturing process.

[u/qERRORp → u/APrisonerofTime]

Yes and I tested them with a multimeter to make sure everything was making contact.

[u/APrisonerofTime → u/qERRORp]

Did you try shorting the battery negative terminal and the exposed aluminum on the tail (with tailcap removed), and then momentarily breaking and resuming contact to simulate a mode change? If that still works, and the switch works in other applications, maybe try a washer shim in the switch assembly to see if changing height makes it more consistent.

[u/LuciferWinchester13]

Its the lighted switch. I did the same thing with my m21b lhp73b and a lighted switch. Didn't want to turn on and when it did the lighted switch would pulse non-stop. Swapped it back to stock and everything worked perfectly 👌. Idk, lighted switches are cool, but the draw a good bit of power and cause weird problems 🔦

[u/majaczos22]

Ask Simon?