Mini Maglite - big problem - help required

[Xunil]

OK, a standard 2 AA Mini Maglite was proving a little stubborn when I wanted to change a bulb this afternoon. I got the bulb out and then decided to put some new batteries in with the bulb removed.

Things got a little tense when the batteries didn't want to come out, but with a little persuasion out they shot, along with this:

So I know the bulb housing at the left, and I know it hooks into the similarly sized housing just right of the bulb in the above picture which, in turn, lives inside the battery compartment.

My question is, what in the world is that tiny little clip at the lower right side of the picture and where within the Mini Maglite does the rotten thing live ?

It slides into the underside of the right hand housing (as you see it pictured) but I've no clue where the tang goes and whether to bend it down to stay in place.

Sorry if this seems obvious, but I've never even seen one of these little clips before when changing bulbs in the past.

Note to self: buy a new torch next time the batteries run out...

 

[resnikov]

Any use to you ?

http://www.maglite.com/anatomy_spare_AA_LED.asp

 

[Xunil]

Nope - but thanks for the suggestion.

I already Googled extensively and downloaded the product manual (which includes the picture you referenced) but I can't find any mention to that tiny clip, and I don't have another Mini Maglite to compare it to.

 

[bikething]

the left hand end of the clip holds one pin of the bulb - IIRC the flat fishtail bit should be flat against the underside of the round plastic bit and makes contact with the metal of the battery tube to complete the circuit...

I've got a mini-mag in my toolbox at work - I'll have a look tomorrow if you haven't sorted it by then

 

[Xunil]

bikething: thanks for that - it confirmed my suspicion and after a little monkeying with the clip I got it all fired up again.

I guess it's like everything in life - it's easy, but only once you know how it's done...

Promotions and medals all round

Many thanks.

 

[calibanzwei]

...IIRC the flat fishtail bit should be flat against the underside of the round plastic bit and makes contact with the metal of the battery tube to complete the circuit...

Yup - had some dodgy ones in my LED maglite, not making the contact properly and causing it to flicker. Bent them to get a better angle - all good.