Rechargeable lantern won't hold charge
Submitted: Sunday, Feb 05, 2006 at 23:21
ThreadID:
30468
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Trevor M (SA)
Hi all,
I have a Coleman rechargeable lantern (double fluro) that I have had a while but has seen limited use. It is useful in that it can be charged in the vehicle (as
well as 240V)
The battery is a sealed lead acid rechargeable battery JL3-XM-4 (6V-4AH).
The lantern does not seem to hold a charge anymore and I wondered if any experts could advise whether there is anything that can be done or whether the batteries can be replaced or repacked etc.
I have tried draining it to nil.....takes ages to actually be nil light (18 hrs) and then recharging for 24 hrs but light is again dim after about 1 hr (but then stays dim for another 18 hrs)
Paid a reasonable amount for it a few years ago but I know price has come down considerably since so may just be a matter of replacing it.
Thanks
Trevor
Reply By: Member - Jay Gee (WA) - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 00:08
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 00:08
You should not treat them the same as NiCad batteries. Being a lead-acid battery it is basically the same as a normal car battery. It will not take kindly to being continually discharged - and as result will have a limited life. It is better to leave it on charge as much as possible.
AnswerID:
153246
Reply By: ozdragon - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 03:19
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 03:19
Hi Trevor
Destructions that came with
mine says if the battery id totally flat recharge for 40 hrs.
Peter
AnswerID:
153256
Reply By: Beer Pig - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 07:37
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 07:37
I had the same problem with my coleman double fluro lantern. You can get replacment batteries for them from most campimg stores for around about $35 and are easy to put in buy just unscrewing the three screws from underneath the lantern
AnswerID:
153261
Reply By: nickoff - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 07:41
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 07:41
Same lantern, same problem, about 2 years ago. Us it as emergancy light for when power goes out. Simple fix... replace battery, about $12.95 from supercheap. Even sealed lead acid batteries wear out after time. I found can get about 2 years use from them before capacity goes up the creek. Same thing with my UPS for the computer, uses same 6V 4A/H batteries X 2. Replaced them at same time. Cheaper than buying new UPS. Am about due to replace them again soon......
Nick.
AnswerID:
153263
Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 07:42
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 07:42
Mees still thinks that my old mantle LPG lamps, although a pain with broken mantles and $10 glass replacements on a regular basis are still better.
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AnswerID:
153264
Follow Up By: nickoff - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 07:44
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 07:44
You could be right, but they don't self illuminate in the middle of the night when the power goes out....LOL
Nick.
FollowupID:
407189
Follow Up By: Pyalong - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 11:53
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 11:53
I'm with michael.....had one years ago...didnt last long (approx 1 year)....turfed it and bought more gas lantern spares....and havent looked back.
Mick
FollowupID:
407226
Follow Up By: evila - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 12:13
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 12:13
What about Total Fire bans? Can you use LPG lanterns in days of TFB ? or is it wise to have a battery lantern for the odd day?
FollowupID:
407232
Follow Up By: Pyalong - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 12:46
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 12:46
Evila,
I dont believe gas lanterns are allowed on TFB days in the 'open air'...or a tent for that matter(In Victoria anyway). The time of the year you can expect a TFB day...the sun will most probably setting around 9.00pm, could expect clear stary sky's....with the possibilty of light from the moon thrown in too. we just use the torches, if need be, between sundown and bed.
cheers Mick.
FollowupID:
407242
Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 13:40
Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 13:40
I've had my coleman dual fluro for a few years now, it's bashed and cracked as busted all over the place, doesn't even have half the plastic clear cover anymore, still works a treat... I think you need to ensure you keep them charged. We use ours all the time, hence I don't think we have that problem, my boss had one in his shed and didn't use it for 12months at a time, he had the charge problem... But as said higher up in the thread, just go to supercheap they have those 6v bat's cheap as. As far as light for the
campsite goes, nothing beats the good quality 12v fluro like the primus, ARB or versa lights. My mate has a good mantle gas light and my primus fluro eats it for breakfast. Those little rechargables are great for in the tent and for dunny runs (so to speak). I can't stand having to PAY for batteries all the time!!! My mate always wants to use his mantle when we go away, I say hey man, the car batteries recharge when I drive
home, my gas bottle doesn't! LOL
FollowupID:
407490
Reply By: Member - AdrianLR (VIC) - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 12:55
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 12:55
Supercheap or Jaycar for a new battery.
Keep it charged
If the voltage is low the tubes will develop
grey areas at the ends and they are a bit pricey to replace so a new battery is worth putting in.
We've had ours for around ten years - a couple of globes and about to get a new battery - not bad for consumables. The gas lantern certainly throws out more light but you it's hard to use a gas light to read a book to the kids in bed by!
Adrian
AnswerID:
153320
Reply By: Anthony - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 21:36
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 21:36
I have the same lamp and am on the second replacement battery.
Replacement cost of $12 to $13 from Jaycar in
Melbourne. As said above try not to let it go or remain flat for very long. It seems to shorten the battery life.
AnswerID:
153465
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 23:22
Monday, Feb 06, 2006 at 23:22
Have had a Coleman battery operated lantern for 3-4 years and it has given no trouble at all.
But this is not the rechargeable type. It is the "Northstar" and uses 8 "D" cells. (alkaline are best) Have only had to replace the batteries once. It has two brightness levels for the twin fluros and small yellow "night light".
The advantage of this type is that the batteries will not die all of a sudden, but gradually fade away, giving one time to obtain and replace the batteries.
Use this in conjunction with a versalite fluro.
The versalite stays outside in the Camper's annex and the lantern is used inside the tent section.
Haven't used the gas lantern since I bought the versalite.
AnswerID:
153501
Reply By: Steve - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 09:10
Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 09:10
Bloke in my local camping
shop warned me off some of those rechargeables. He said if you let them go flat for any length of time they've had it. That actually happened with a rechargeable torch I had.
AnswerID:
153548
Reply By: Member - Camper (SA) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 12:24
Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 12:24
Try replacing your flouro tubes first.
i Thought my battery was cactus and replaced the tubes and went back to good light again.
Even then, I have relegated
mine to secondary and use an ARB with cord from the 4by. much better light and with a magnet attatched I can stick it on the frame of the camper conveniently.
camper
AnswerID:
153599
Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 13:43
Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 13:43
Yeah those 12v fluros kick but, before changing the fluros (a little more pricey than the battery) just charge it for 8 hours or so and whack a multimeter on the battery and see if it's holding a charge. Then you'll know what angle to attack the problem at (fluro or battery).
FollowupID:
407491
Reply By: The Explorer - Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 13:51
Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 13:51
Hello - heres the lowdown on all types of batteries
Battery University
Cheers
Greg
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AnswerID:
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