Interesting! I wonder if this is a bug or a feature? either way I will have to see if this works with other lighting features as well (Flashing ditch lights come to mind).

Just sent the request/suggestion. IMO that would be a huge improvement

I don't know about the HC-3, but I assume it has basically the same construction as the HC-2b I have.

the only tricky thing in changing the batteries that I have encountered is during reassembly.  there are 4 metal stand-offs inside that need to be properly placed, and not jarred when putting the top on.  it might take you a couple of tries to keep them standing up while putting the top back on.  I've done this a few times with no issues.

Ken

Wait, we can change the batteries in the HC without sending back to Ring? That's awesome if true

It can't hurt to try and replace the LEDs as Espeelark suggested (or just remove the ones that didn't have resistors) and see if the lighting then works again. Ideally, as in an ideal circuit the LEDs that had the resistors should have been protected by those resistors and should still work if the common (+ blue wire) has not been damaged. Without knowing how Ring does protection, if any, on the LM it could be possible that you've killed whatever's supplying the common in that very brief overcurrent moment between when you turned on the LEDs without resistors and when the LEDs went out.

As for how the outputs work, they are switched ground, with the common (+v) always present on whatever you've got hooked up to the outputs. I imagine there is only one source supplying this so if you've killed this source then that's it no more outputs (unless you put in your own external bridge rectifier and hook it up to the blue wire  ).

- Tim