Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $65 posted
Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $65 posted
At long last, we're able to offer these Refurbished Torches / Flashlights again.
We were the first people doing these - before BMW actually stopped selling them, in fact.
Technology has moved on, and it would be possible to make completely new internals and fit LED bulbs to these, but we chose not to, in the pursuit of originality (at least in design).
So what has been done?
Internally, the batteries are the main focus. The old Varta ones have long since been discontinued (in fact our very first batch of these all those years ago used the last of the supply of those original manufacturer batteries) and so now we have sourced a battery of the same specification and output and there are of course two of these in each new unit.
The old sprung brass strip has been replaced with a new one - this is the piece that forms the connection between batteries, switch and the other parts of the circuit.
The in-line resistor has been replaced in each unit, regardless of the condition of the original, as this is what protects the batteries and circuit from overloading via the car charge circuit.
The connecting wire has been renewed and a new one soldered in where necessary (a few have been suitable for re-use).
The bulbs are mostly the originals, and of course have been tested and cleaned. We do have new bulbs in place where necessary, but usually they are fine.
To give you an idea of how they go together, this is a photo of the inside of our test mule, the one we use to check batteries, bulbs etc for condition.
Externally, we have cleaned each case up thoroughly. This does not mean a quick wash in a sink - every casing has been cleaned in solution and then undergone a micro-mesh cleaning process to really get them back to great condition, of course leaving the BMW logo intact.
Every lens has been finely buffed then dipped in a special clear lacquer formula (not nail varnish, not car paint lacquer).
The thumb-switch has been cleaned as well, and the backing plate where the charging points are situated has also been cleaned inside and out, and the charge contacts freed from any corrosion developed.
Then they have been glued back together with a liquid poly-glue similar to that used by BMW originally - no superglue here, as that just fails in a couple of months.
What results is a beautiful, fully usable OEM torch suitable for use in any E24, E28, E30, E31, E32, E34, or E36 as fitted originally.
Plenty more pictures available as well should the need arise.
We are offering these at $65 shipped each.
That is with USPS, and please note that delivery pre-Christmas would be unlikely. UPS minimum charge is about $45 so it isn't possible to get them to travel much faster unfortunately.
We were the first people doing these - before BMW actually stopped selling them, in fact.
Technology has moved on, and it would be possible to make completely new internals and fit LED bulbs to these, but we chose not to, in the pursuit of originality (at least in design).
So what has been done?
Internally, the batteries are the main focus. The old Varta ones have long since been discontinued (in fact our very first batch of these all those years ago used the last of the supply of those original manufacturer batteries) and so now we have sourced a battery of the same specification and output and there are of course two of these in each new unit.
The old sprung brass strip has been replaced with a new one - this is the piece that forms the connection between batteries, switch and the other parts of the circuit.
The in-line resistor has been replaced in each unit, regardless of the condition of the original, as this is what protects the batteries and circuit from overloading via the car charge circuit.
The connecting wire has been renewed and a new one soldered in where necessary (a few have been suitable for re-use).
The bulbs are mostly the originals, and of course have been tested and cleaned. We do have new bulbs in place where necessary, but usually they are fine.
To give you an idea of how they go together, this is a photo of the inside of our test mule, the one we use to check batteries, bulbs etc for condition.
Externally, we have cleaned each case up thoroughly. This does not mean a quick wash in a sink - every casing has been cleaned in solution and then undergone a micro-mesh cleaning process to really get them back to great condition, of course leaving the BMW logo intact.
Every lens has been finely buffed then dipped in a special clear lacquer formula (not nail varnish, not car paint lacquer).
The thumb-switch has been cleaned as well, and the backing plate where the charging points are situated has also been cleaned inside and out, and the charge contacts freed from any corrosion developed.
Then they have been glued back together with a liquid poly-glue similar to that used by BMW originally - no superglue here, as that just fails in a couple of months.
What results is a beautiful, fully usable OEM torch suitable for use in any E24, E28, E30, E31, E32, E34, or E36 as fitted originally.
Plenty more pictures available as well should the need arise.
We are offering these at $65 shipped each.
That is with USPS, and please note that delivery pre-Christmas would be unlikely. UPS minimum charge is about $45 so it isn't possible to get them to travel much faster unfortunately.
Last edited by sskoda on Dec 14, 2018 8:20 AM, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
Do you have any grey ones?
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
Yes, actually we've got one of the rare dark grey ones waiting to be done.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
I sent you an email.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
Are the replacement batteries that you're using NiCads? Are your batteries similarly prone to the recharge memory problem?
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
No, they are absolutely not NiCad.
-- Added Dec 14, 2017 4:02 PM --
[QUOTE=Sskoda;4850493]We've just got another batch of these in! Same price as last year...[/QUOTE]
That batch sold, so we had another ten made that came in last Thursday, and all those are sold now (Monday morning).
There's another 10 just in, so if anyone wants one, be quick...
-- Added Dec 14, 2017 4:02 PM --
[QUOTE=Sskoda;4850493]We've just got another batch of these in! Same price as last year...[/QUOTE]
That batch sold, so we had another ten made that came in last Thursday, and all those are sold now (Monday morning).
There's another 10 just in, so if anyone wants one, be quick...
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
I'd like to buy one if you have any available. Sent you a PM.sskoda wrote:No, they are absolutely not NiCad.
-- Added Dec 14, 2017 4:02 PM --
That batch sold, so we had another ten made that came in last Thursday, and all those are sold now (Monday morning).Sskoda wrote:We've just got another batch of these in! Same price as last year...
There's another 10 just in, so if anyone wants one, be quick...
Last edited by jhh925 on Dec 17, 2017 6:59 PM, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
Just sent you payment for 2. Thank you.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
No, thank you. PM's answered.
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Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
Can you use lithium batteries in something that doesn't monitor charge? Guess you can get Nickel-metal-hydride too...
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
Possibly, but we're using NiMH as per original until they all run out. Still have about ten more sets of the original spec batteries and then we start into the superceded slightly heavier/more powerful battery. They're also discontinued and after that... after that we have to start inventing...
-- Added Jul 06, 2018 3:57 PM --
Another batch of these just in.
-- Added Jul 06, 2018 3:57 PM --
Another batch of these just in.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
hi. im looking for a gray one.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
When you go to NiMH, do you resize the charging resistor accordingly, so as to not damage the batteries? I'd be willing to settle for a slower charge rate if it keeps the batteries in good shape.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
The OE batteries are NiMH, we don't 'go' to them. There's an extremely limited amount of the batteries we use left worldwide, as they are NLA, even from Varta, and once those are gone, then we'll be looking at going to something else.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $62.50 poste
Hmmm... the E28 gauge instrument cluster circuit board and virtually all consumer electronics from that era used NiCd for any rechargeable batteries they had. (I did have a Sony Discman from that era with a removable lead-acid battery.) I find it surprising that BMW would put NiMH into a flashlight back then.sskoda wrote:The OE batteries are NiMH, we don't 'go' to them. There's an extremely limited amount of the batteries we use left worldwide, as they are NLA, even from Varta, and once those are gone, then we'll be looking at going to something else.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $65 posted
It's that time of the year again!
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $65 posted
Just got mine today. Looks and works great. I also appreciated the 12p change enclosed.
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $65 posted
Hello, wondering if you’re still selling these. Tried to purchase through your website, but wasn’t able to.
Thanks, Mike
Thanks, Mike
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $65 posted
Hi Mike,Ibmotoren wrote:Hello, wondering if you’re still selling these. Tried to purchase through your website, but wasn’t able to.
Thanks, Mike
Yes, still going, have around a dozen ready to go at the minute.
Sorry I'm not on here too often these days. Shoot me an email, parts@willswheels.co.uk
Re: Fully Refurbished OEM Torches / Flashlights $65 posted
Mine has been sitting on my kitchen table all this time, unused. It still works, but the seam on the case split recently. Is there a correct type of glue to reseal it?