Any electricians here please?

[Guest jay_con]

With the mfa headlight there is a little inline device that reduces the power needed by the light so you get longer use from the battery. Anychance this could be blown? or would that cause the lamp not to work at all?

[Guest jay_con]

The battery is the same as the mfa 1. they probably bought them from maplins.

[chesters1]

probably the best bet would be to connect a large 6v bulb directly to the battery ,get a current measurement from the bulb or use a multimeter ,then divide this into the stated ampage of the battery once the bulb goes dim from full charge this will tell you if the battery is duff,a battery analogue clock through a voltage adaptor stops giving you the exact time from start to finish if you forget about it,dont forget to measure the complete current drain of all components once in the curcuit.

also check VERY carefully using a magnifyer the wires coming out of the charger they are prone to fraying and so shorting ,a good charger with have short circuit protection but their not very good at low current ,they can fray within the sleave that stops them fraying.

 

[ 25. November 2004, 10:17 PM: Message edited by: chesters1 ]

[Guest jay_con]

Charger has a light on which goes out once the battery is charged. This still appears to be working. Ie it goes out after the usual amount of time.

[Guest jay_con]

A cunning plan. I have a petzl as a spare, with a 6v bulb. Ill see how long it takes to run down the battery.

[Tog]

This 'inline device' is a 'high / low' switch I take it?

If so does it work?

Can you check its connections?

Still think its duff / coroded connectors but one new battery would be worth trying.

[Guest jay_con]

the inline device is sealed in a plastic case, its something like a resister type thingy, it drops the amount of power the lamp uses so you get longer life from your battery.

 

Ive had my petzl on for 5 hours solid now and all is well, this makes me think there is something wrong with the light.

[Guest jay_con]

TOG ? Corroded connecters? on the charger or on the headlamp?.

[Guest jay_con]

Petzel has been on 11 hours now. Its still at full strength. Definately something wrong with the mfa lamp.

[chesters1]

especially if the petzel bulb is the high output ones ,they eat 4.5v batteries i have 2 petzel zooms 1 with ordinary bulbs 1 krypton? ,once my stock of batteries have gone they will be converted to rechargeables and the bulbs converted to L.E.D.`s