Dissassembling a T-Lite

The Smart Candle T-Lite is readily available at most Walgreens drug stores under the Patriot brand name; they’re usually displayed in the aisle with other candles and are available in two ways: loose in a small bin and on a card with six candles. They cost $2 each (or two for $3) from the bin or $5 for the card of six, which is the best price for this type of device that I’ve found anywhere (they're available on-line, though once you add the shipping, these are priced similarly to those from Amazon or eBay).

By the time you read this, there are probably few 2006-model T-Lites available (though they still seem to be what’s stocked in bins, the card versions are exclusively the 2007 model), but these instructions are written for both models. All that’s needed for these instructions is one Smart Candle T-Lite, a soldering gun or iron and a set of small screwdrivers, both Phillips and flat blade. The Phillips battery screw in the 2007 model is smaller than even what’s available in most “precision” screwdriver sets, so you may have to get the smallest you can find (something around 1.5mm).

(To get a larger view of the pictures on the right, just click on the image and a new window will open with a full-size version.)

Instructions
• Remove the paper backing from the T-Lite; remove the battery preservation strip (it has a big red arrow).

• Switch on the T-Lite, making certain it lights and flickers. Leave it on.

• If there are three screws on the bottom of the T-Lite (2006 model), do the following:

— Remove the two small Phillips screws that are at the 9 and 3 clock position from the underside of the T-Lite.

— Using a small, flat-blade screwdriver, pry the bottom of the T-Lite from the top. It should pop away cleanly, giving you a view of the LED and circuit board of the T-Lite. Discard the top of the T-Lite.

— Remove the two small Phillips screws from the top of the T-Lite circuit board. At this point the battery and bottom of the T-Lite will fall away (naturally, the LED will stop flickering at this point).

• If there is only one screw on the bottom of the T-Lite (2007 model), do the following:

— Remove the small Phillips screw from the underside of the T-Lite; with a flat-blade screwdriver, pry the battery door at the end opposite the screw; it will easily come away.

— Remove the single small Phillips screw from the inside of the battery compartment; turn over the T-Lite and the circuit board and battery holder will fall away from the case.

— Remove the single small Phillips screw from the circuit board and the battery holder will fall way.

• Flip the circuit board over and grasp one of the battery connectors with the pliers; using the hot soldering iron/gun, melt the solder attaching the battery connector to the circuit board and pry the connector away from the board when the solder is liquid. Do the same with the other connector.

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