how to retrieve flash light drop into waterpump area

chuty

Winterizing the trailer today, I accidentally drop the flash light and can't reach it and it went deep down
anyway to retrieve it ? or do I have to remove the bottom cover?

chuty

It's a 2019 320 s BD Edge

ChanW

I'd say get a new flashlight!

I'd think it would require major surgery, ie: cutting a hole in the bathroom wall, or kitchen cupboard wall, or a hole through the front of the Tab....

Definitely not worth it!

jgram2

Metal flashlight or plastic? If metal, tie a strong magnet to a string and try to catch it, if plastic, get another flashlight, if it was your iPhone flashlight, I’d consider cutting some holes!

chuty

@jgram2 it's a free flashlight from harbor freight that have a magnet on it back,
I will try your string with a magnet method , if it doesn't work then i just have to get another free one next time i am at harbor freight.   

jgram2

@chuty Good luck Fishing!

dCliffhanger

One easy, though not sure, option would be to unscrew the access panel that runs alongside the television. I went through an excruciating process of running a wire from the battery to the converter area using the pump access panel. Only later did I realize this other panel was there. It might give you visibility to one side and bottom of the pump compartment area.

chuty

@dCliffhanger I am not good with these thing ,so i'll try the string method and if doesn't work then i will have some rattle to deal with:)

Bayliss

@chuty, if you can see the flashlight (maybe with the aid of a mirror?), you might consider using one of those tools with a telescoping magnet that can be used to retrieve dropped screws, etc.

chuty

thank you all ,i know i can count on you guys for great idea
@Bayliss that is another good advice that i can try thanks

MiquelCamo

Since it has a magnet on it you might even get it with a coat hanger, possibly make a little coil on the end you insert for more surface area.

For future reference, tie a string on any tool you're using in that opening BEFORE putting it in there. I used one of those flashlights tied to a string to diagnose a leak, I was able to lower it to the bottom where it provided great lighting for a video I took while running the pump.

ScottG

Oh, that wall is just a little piece of plywood with some pretty paper on it. Nothing a few select power tools can't take care of...  ;-)

tabiphile

It will be worth whatever effort it takes to remove it. The batteries will eventually leach acid. 

ChanW

@ScottG, simple!¡!

seajeeper

There is a removable panel on the wall of the lower cabinet, you may be able to reach it from there, depending on where it ended up.

chuty

@seajeeper and @ dCliffhanger my friend came over and help remove both of the area mentioned and still nowhere to get to it, but i manage to learn a lot of my CuT@b

ScottG

seajeeper said:

There is a removable panel on the wall of the lower cabinet, you may be able to reach it from there, depending on where it ended up.

Lucky you. IIRC, all I got was a hole there. I had to make a panel so stuff would stop falling under the toilet.  :-)

I agree it would be quite a reach from there to the area behind the toilet.

Michigan_Mike

I think you have a permanently installed flashlight!   I lost a credit card one time down the front heat run on an old Chevy van and never could retrieve it without dismantling the dashboard.  Moments like this are time to take pause, weigh your options and know that your time/energy can be better spent in other endeavors.  Flashlights are cheap and even if the batteries do leach a little acid it will all be contained within the body of the light and won’t be anything to worry about.  👍🏻

TabberJohn

If you want to add another gadget to your toolbox 👍 you have this option:
https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Waterproof-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B01MYTHWK4/
Once you find it use your flexible magnetic or claw retriever to snag it.
To justify the ROI you can drop something of more value down there too like a ring. 😁

jkjenn

I lost my phone in that area, once. I called a friend with long, skinny arms.

I have also lost a fuse inside of the convertor. I used a scope like @TabberJohn shared.

Photomom

MiquelCamo said:

Since it has a magnet on it you might even get it with a coat hanger, possibly make a little coil on the end you insert for more surface area.

For future reference, tie a string on any tool you're using in that opening BEFORE putting it in there. I used one of those flashlights tied to a string to diagnose a leak, I was able to lower it to the bottom where it provided great lighting for a video I took while running the pump.

So as not to derail this discussion, would you please tell me about your leak via private message?  What the problem was and how you fixed it? We have a leak that turns out to be intermittent, so Austin couldn’t find or repair it. I suspect we might have to at least troubleshoot it ourselves.