Lights. CREE XML XM-L T6 / U2 etc Thread

[mrmacmusic]

I'm no expert but nearly freaked when I first read the MS battery issue a few years back. You need to keep an eye on them when charging, and check that they aren't left on anything that can burn. Flatting them kills them, unless its a quality expensive protected cell.

Bear in mind these cells deliver 3.7v and can whack out over 5 amps - compare that to an AA. This is why you need care.

That said, one MS battery died over the first winter as both were left out in the greenhouse as I wasn't having them near 9 bikes. One failed, one is fine today 3 winters later, slightly less capacity. I also have a new one from last year which is fine. TBH, charge them regular, away from combustables, so garage floor etc or in a tin box. They can only go bang under charging or short circuit, because they can kick a good electrical punch, even AA's can make a mess if short circuited. I've got over the initial panic now. If they show charged too soon, then test on the light, they will go blue or red fast. Time for a new pack ! Protect the battery from water ingress.

I fear I have missed something about battery packs – what's this "MS battery issue"..?

Also, I'm charging my new battery pack on the office desk, which sounds like it might be a bad idea?

 

[mrmacmusic]

Please can you point me in the right direction for one of these brackets..

Here you go – http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=23533

 

[Grayduff]

Here you go – http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=23533

Cheers thanks

 

[RhythMick]

I've got the Fluxient XM-L U2 and a Moon XP500 as my front lights. The U2 is simply too bright on full but I run it on either Medium or Low and it lasts for several hours (around 10 on low).

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Here you go – http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=23533

Oh and you can run these lights off a 6 x AA pack (Maplin). But at 2500-2700 Mh you'd get maybe an hour on max or two on medium for a T6 front light !

I run two rear magicshine 818's of two 6 x AA packs (12 batteries = 2 x 6 x 1.2v = 2 packs of 7.4v ) 6 batteries fit in the same 4x18650 bag and I have these in my pannier. I use standard 2500 AA's and usually need two chargers to recharge the 6 over about 2-3 hours. I get about 5 hours off the 70 lumen rear lights, so 3 -4 days on steady, longer on flash. Advantage with the AA's is there is no protection circuit, so the LED just runs 'low' (don't run lipo batteries low) and my smart charger sorts out any imbalance between cells which you get every use. That said I've used the same batteries all year round for 3 winters now, with a smart charger.

I'll look for my know how which is on here. !

Thanks, hows this compare as a charger, though I think I will have to wait till the new year.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XTAR-WP6i...d_Vision_Battery_Chargers&hash=item2a25c5660a

 

[potsy]

Another 45 minutes tonight and still going strong, had a few cars stop in their tracks about to pull out of side streets, I suspect they mistook me for a motorcycle

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Another 45 minutes tonight and still going strong, had a few cars stop in their tracks about to pull out of side streets, I suspect they mistook me for a motorcycle

Didn't stop the one that hit me on Sunday, but yea I agree cars do take more notice and do think twice.

 

[fossyant]

Xtar chargers and batteries are fine by Torchy and other MTB testers. Buy from UK sellers via ebay, as Torchy is running low.

 

[fossyant]

Another 45 minutes tonight and still going strong, had a few cars stop in their tracks about to pull out of side streets, I suspect they mistook me for a motorcycle

My daughter thought I was a car coming up the road the other night, with one light... She is only 9 as was in the missus car.. Two Hopes 1's and 2 flashers on my bike. She said this tonight when I picked her up from Drama.

So these lights work, even a 9 year old is thinks !

 

[potsy]

Made it home so that's over 3 hours on full power now, well impressed

Think I'll charge it later and see if it'll do the next 3 days on the road bike

 

[fossyant]

Picked mine up this morning. Quick fiddle only:-

Connectors are magicshine compatible and are interchangeable. They don't snap together like magicshine light connections do though - no big issue.

BUT....

Waterproof the battery. Having a look at it, the end of the cells are not waterproof - there is a cardboard like material over the cell joints, so get out the electrical tape and wrap the ends up, followed by duck tape over the whole unit. The battery bags aren't as substantial as the magicshine ones, but that's no big deal.

Other than that, well worth the money !!

 

[mrmacmusic]

Picked mine up this morning. Quick fiddle only:-

Connectors are magicshine compatible and are interchangeable. They don't snap together like magicshine light connections do though - no big issue. BUT.... Waterproof the battery. Having a look at it....

Other than that, well worth the money !!

Good to know

Still a bit worried about the "MS Battery Issue" you mention earlier, and my charging method following your earlier post..... should I be worried, and should I be doing something different?

 

[mrmacmusic]

...there is a cardboard like material over the cell joints, so get out the electrical tape and wrap the ends up, followed by duck tape over the whole unit.

That is good advice too, thanks fossyant

Did you split open the battery pack? I've read the earlier posts on batteries, and am trying to get my head fully around the battery pack supplied with this kit. It's marketed as a 6400mAh job, so does that mean it contains two "serial" pairs of 3.7v 3200mAh batteries (each pair gives 7.4v 3200mAh) which are then wired together in parallel (to still give 7.4v but double the capacity of 6400mAh)...? Have I got that right?!

 

[fossyant]

That's right, but I really doubt it's 3200 capacity cells though as that's top end quality like Samsung etc. I would recon they are more like 2500 cells

 

[fossyant]

Good to know

Still a bit worried about the "MS Battery Issue" you mention earlier, and my charging method following your earlier post..... should I be worried, and should I be doing something different?

Some batteries failed and set on fire due to corroded or failed protection cells. Best method is to charge away from combustable material, and don't leave them unattended - i.e. if you go out turn the charger off.

Precautions are to seal the battery with tape to stop water ingress. I usually charge my battery with it still attached to the bike, just plug the charger in near by. I then store them when not using them in summer in a tin biscuit box.

You have to be careful with all lipo batteries for the reason above. Also if you notice damage, eg dented or 'bloated' cells, then bin them. I wouldn't worry, but regularly inspect them and keep an eye on them during charging. Don't forget these whack out alot more juice than an AA battery, hence 'extra care'. - I've seen AA's overheat when shorted by accident - did wonder why my office started smelling, and the Tesco torch was very hot to touch even off - the batteries had shorted. Had to bin the batteries as the chemicals had leaked out.