Dinosaur caver out-of-touch with any lights post 1990 seeks advice!
I'm still happily using Oldhams (don't laugh too loud...) and find that my two young sons need lights now they are doing decent trips, some wet - e.g. Little Neath. As I have a lot of Oldhams spares I intend to build around these. The boys only cave about four times a year so 4.5v flatpack Duracells seem the best option - too much hassle and expense to try and keep two extra lead-acids in good condition. Figure I will always use up the residual charge in the Duracells in my headtorch.
Two battery boxes seem potential candidates: Speloetechnics Nova, or Petzl Duo. However the Petzl box doesn't seem to be available as a spare part. This leave the Nova box, which has the advantage of being inexpensive - ?8.15 in the current CS catalogue.
Any suggestions on the practicalities of converting a Nova box to be compatible with an Oldham cable?
* Are Spelotechnics sockets sold as spare parts (can't see them listed however) and how feasible is it to mount one on an Oldham Cable?
* If I can't get sockets, then Nova cables with Fx Ion plugs are listed for ?9.25. However, are Nova cables of smaller diamter than Oldham cables? This risks water getting into the headshell if the fit is poor.
* Alternatively, any suggestions for a grommet or 'O' ring to enable an Oldham cable to be lead into a hole drilled in a Nova box? Presumbaly some sort of cable lock will be needed to safeguard against the cable being pulled out by accident.
* Previous posts on this site have discussed waterproofing battery boxes versus drilling holes to ensure they drain fast and efficiently - what was the consensus recommendation for Duracell battery boxes? To waterproof or to allow to drain?
Many thanks in anticipation of advice!
I'm still happily using Oldhams (don't laugh too loud...) and find that my two young sons need lights now they are doing decent trips, some wet - e.g. Little Neath. As I have a lot of Oldhams spares I intend to build around these. The boys only cave about four times a year so 4.5v flatpack Duracells seem the best option - too much hassle and expense to try and keep two extra lead-acids in good condition. Figure I will always use up the residual charge in the Duracells in my headtorch.
Two battery boxes seem potential candidates: Speloetechnics Nova, or Petzl Duo. However the Petzl box doesn't seem to be available as a spare part. This leave the Nova box, which has the advantage of being inexpensive - ?8.15 in the current CS catalogue.
Any suggestions on the practicalities of converting a Nova box to be compatible with an Oldham cable?
* Are Spelotechnics sockets sold as spare parts (can't see them listed however) and how feasible is it to mount one on an Oldham Cable?
* If I can't get sockets, then Nova cables with Fx Ion plugs are listed for ?9.25. However, are Nova cables of smaller diamter than Oldham cables? This risks water getting into the headshell if the fit is poor.
* Alternatively, any suggestions for a grommet or 'O' ring to enable an Oldham cable to be lead into a hole drilled in a Nova box? Presumbaly some sort of cable lock will be needed to safeguard against the cable being pulled out by accident.
* Previous posts on this site have discussed waterproofing battery boxes versus drilling holes to ensure they drain fast and efficiently - what was the consensus recommendation for Duracell battery boxes? To waterproof or to allow to drain?
Many thanks in anticipation of advice!