Can I use heat to loosen a Mag Lite battery cap?

[mrbreezeet1]

My buddy said NO! It's dangerous! Because there are batteries inside.
I say it's OK, maybe just use a heat gun. I was talking about a propane torch at first, but if there is an issue with the batteries, maybe a heat gun is safer.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Have you tried using adjustable pliers? I would use the heat gun as a last resort, maybe ice down the barrel and heat the cap.

 

[Kira]

Get a piece of leather or thick rubber and cushion those jaws.
Go crazy? Remove the reflector/lens housing and bulb.
Chill in freezer. Immerse the barrel end in boiling water for a minute, then twist it. You're not going to hurt anything.

Your next hurtle will be finding a solvent for the batteries' leakage.

 

[Oro_O]

Spray penetrant, let sit overnight, and ….

Just beat to it. Was going to say boiling water but Kira just said it.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Have you tried using adjustable pliers? I would use the heat gun as a last resort, maybe ice down the barrel and heat the cap.

2 Pair of Knipex Cobra water pump pliers. Just slipped.

 

[Chris142]

If the batteries leaked it's junk. Mine got stuck and I gave up trying to get them out.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

If the batteries leaked it's junk. Mine got stuck and I gave up trying to get them out.

Yeah, I might just toss it. Cut it open on the lathe, and maybe make something else out of it?

 

[Lubener]

I had that happen before. I used a rubber strap wrench to get the cap off.

 

[Oro_O]

Yeah, I might just toss it. Cut it open on the lathe, and maybe make something else out of it?

Soak it in a weak acid solution and it will dissolve the corrosion (or dip it in a strong solution more briefly). Unless it has eaten away parts, it will work again. Flashlights are incredibly simple.

 

[wings&wheels]

I've saved a few; contact cleaner, wire brush, careful vinegar clean up (as mentioned), dielectric paste and silicone grease on the threads for when you do it again.

 

[Soft Cars]

2 Pair of Knipex Cobra water pump pliers. Just slipped.

What direction were you turning the jaws? The lower jaw is always supposed to turn upwards.

 

[SHOZ]

It's aluminum right? Probably ten seconds with a torch would do it.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

What direction were you turning the jaws? The lower jaw is always supposed to turn upwards.

l know what you mean.
Yes, l had them both facing the correct direction.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

It's aluminum right? Probably ten seconds with a torch would do it.

Yes, aluminum.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Is it the newer mag light with an LED bulb or the older original style. If its the older one, throw it in the garbage and get a LED version.

 

[gman2304]

Deep Creep spray.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Is it the newer mag light with an LED bulb or the older original style. If its the older one, throw it in the garbage and get a LED version.

Yeah, OK, Yeah, it's the old one. I do remember too if you dropped the 2 AA battery size one, the bulb used to blow out instantly.

 

[LDB]

What did MagLite advise when you sent them a message inquiring? I've always found their CS to be excellent.

 

[vavavroom]

Just give the flashlight to any 5-year-old and tell him "Do not open it!" Give it a few minutes. I'm obviously kidding. You don't want to expose a kid to a leaking battery. But they do open anything in almost no time.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

What did MagLite advise when you sent them a message inquiring? I've always found their CS to be excellent.

They said if it was stuck, it was because of the batteries. They couldn't do anything about it. They offered some sort of discount on a new one.
Not sure how much. I know it was suggested to just toss it if it was the old one, but It would still be a good little flashlight to have at my desk, for the price of 2 AA batteries and maybe a new bulb.