I've had it with rechargeable torches!
Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 18:08
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Mike Harding
That's it! I'm ditching the rechargeable with a 6V 4Ah battery (sold by Super Cheap et al for $10 or $20). They are just too fickle. The bulbs take a huge amount of current and ensure a short battery life and if you happen to leave them on for a minute or so after the battery voltage has dropped below about 5V2 (and how would you know?) you stuff the battery permanently. All too hard.
I'm returning to my Ever Ready Dolphin torch with an Energizer or Duracell 6V lantern battery and a spare bulb in the holder inside the torch plus a spare battery. The light output is about 75% of the rechargeable (quite adequate for most uses) and it will last for a hell of a lot longer and if it dies? - I just put the spare battery in.
Mike Harding
(Glad I got that off my chest! :)
Reply By: Moggs - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 18:29
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 18:29
LOL, went through the same process with re-chargeable torches - I bought 3 before giving up (1 was exchanged on warranty)- am also now happy with the old Dolphin - it has never let me down. I just carry a spare battery in the camping kit and am sure I will have a functioning torch.
Also had a fair bit of hassel with cheaper 12 volt fluros. Now only use Versalite brand and they are excellent.
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Reply By: 80scruiser - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 19:21
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 19:21
Here Here.
I have ditched the Coleman rechargeable lantern and went back to the dolphin and the Maglite. The kids use the dolphin and I use the Maglite. Can't beat em.
I have the gas lantern outside the centre pole and believe it or not the mantel has lasted 18 months with out being changed. God help me when I have to change it. The best mantel I have ever had.
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Follow Up By: muzzgit (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 23:52
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 23:52
An old ladies trick is to spray the mantle with hair spray before packing away, if it's gonna get bumped around.
The hair spray holds it's shape and stops it from falling appart
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Follow Up By: BenSpoon - Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 18:28
Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 18:28
Good idea... though with my luck I'll probably blow the thing to dust when I attack it with the hairspray
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Reply By: Member - Jiarna (SA) - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 19:48
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 19:48
I have a 6V rechargeable Maglite - costs an arm and 3 legs but worth every cent. And for
campsite lighting, I now use an ARB fluoro on a pole. No more gas lamps or el cheapo torches that let me down.
Cheers
JohnOodnadatta
AnswerID:
106572
Reply By: Wetty (W.A) - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 20:39
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 20:39
I know how you feel Mike. . . .
Never go anywhere without my Maglites or my Petzel head lamp! Rechargeable lights are a WOFTAM! Have a Versalite too, but by the time I need that, I'm flat out in the tent.
Cheers
Wetty
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106580
Reply By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 21:17
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 21:17
I am onto my third Supercheap rechargeable spotlight. They only seem to work for about 6-9 months before they die. I keep taking them back and getting a replacement (no questions asked). For $9 I have had a good light for over 2 years. I can't ask fir more than that.
I wouldn't depend on it. For my reliable little light I use a torch that has 4 x AAA rechargeable batts fitted.
As for fluoros I use an Arlec 12 volt that puts out more light than a Versa (I've tested it).
Cheers,
Jim.
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Follow Up By: Nudenut - Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 07:59
Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 07:59
you tested that with a "lux" meter of course?
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 18:00
Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 18:00
Don't need a meter on a Lux....too slow
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Follow Up By: Nudenut - Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 20:10
Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 20:10
so he used his eyes eh?
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Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 21:33
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 21:33
G'day Mike,
I lashed out and got a compromise.......a re-chargeable Dolphin. It's a very good torch; much brighter than a normal dolphin. I can charge it either from 240v or from the 12v on the truck. In the case of the latter, it was a PITA cos I had to unscrew the front to be able to insert the charging cable/plug, which is just below the halogen globe. However, I recently soldered on a couple of short lengths of cable and whacked a different socket on the outside of the casing, so I can charge it without taking the front off.
Works for me.
Cheers
Roachie
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Ed. C.- Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 00:31
Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 00:31
Yeah, I got one o' them, had it a coupla yrs... d@mn good light (though not cheap)!!!...
Roachie, ah's bin thinkin' about doin' what you've done with the charging socket.. haven't gotten a "round tuit" yet.. (I have a square tuit, but;-))...
Catch ya later.. Ed. C.
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Follow Up By: Nudenut - Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 08:01
Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 08:01
get "intuit"!
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Follow Up By: Member - Ed. C.- Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 16:24
Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 at 16:24
not "uptuit" today.....
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Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 21:41
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 21:41
I too had dramas with cheap rechargable spot lights, however I do find the supercheap (both the $19.95 one and the $29.95 one) really good. I also have a recharable Coleman ($99) lattern and they all work as good as each other, my favourate one is the $29.95 (blue) one from supercheap, small compact, good light with a battery level meter and they all run for about 8 hours without charging. Maybe worth a look, they are good for hanging off tree branches around the camp for ambiant light and there's no cost of LPG. The only problem (as with any fluro) is they can tend to attract the bugs a bit. Been using them for over 18 months with no dramas.
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Reply By: Scubaroo - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 22:14
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 22:14
Best
camping lights we own are scuba diving torches, coupled with NiMH rechargeable batteries. Not a cheap investment upfront (and the torches can be bought cheaper on the net from the US than from Oz), but a few sets of spare NiMHs charged up before each trip (we have some 4 x AA, 4 x C and 8 x C cell lights) works wonders. No nasty alkaline batteries going to the rubbish tip either, and over the lifetime of the torch, pays for itself over and over if you worked out how much you were spending on disposable batteries.
AnswerID:
106608
Reply By: Member - Bradley- Saturday, Apr 16, 2005 at 12:16
Saturday, Apr 16, 2005 at 12:16
only good rechargeable torch is the maglite, or ultra stinger, but the maglite lasts twice as long as the stinger. as others said not cheap - about $200 with car and house chargers, but worth every cent..
AnswerID:
107015