I wanna buy a light...

[Hatstand]

How noticeable is the dimming through the battery life?
Do you notice the loss of distance vision, or of spill-light at the edge of the beam. Subjectively, roughly what fraction of your 27 hours would you reckon was 'close-enough-to-full-power', what 'mid-range', and what 'usable but dim'.

The other day in GB I figured that I should change the battery in my Nova3 - it was after all the original flatpack I bought with the light and had done several trips with. I figured the main chamber deserved that. Having changed the batteries I really didn't notice a great deal of difference. I still couldn't see t'other side of chamber but maybe that's cause its the biggest one in the UK?? 

Personally I have found the Nova fantastic for caves, but less inspiring in slate mines where more range is required. Still prefer my oldham and maglite combination for them.

 

[SamT]

: Oldhams do break as well you know ...

I know - but but you dont pay squabillions of dosh for them. And they are old coal mining lamps, my point being they haven't just been the subject of recent design and research campaign aimed at designing a something totally dedicated to the job of being a caving lamp.

I distinctly remember seeing a nova for the first time at the Speleo stand at Hidden earth, Hanley Castle (2003). First thing my mate said when he saw it - within seconds. "That rubber switch thing wont last long".

Its the first time Ive heard of it happening - but he was right.

Its not the lamps themselves (Dare I say it, the Nova looks like a decent lamp - bar the rubber switch thing). Its the ratio of cost/build quality that bugs me

 

[Walrus]

Ok - pretty much decided to go for the Nova3...

Now... batteries! If I lie to my other half about the cost I could get the Nickel set... are they worth it? how hard would it be to make a battery box for 6 recharagable AA's (like Darkplaces has)? Another thought... I have several 6v lead acid batteries: what would I need to reduce the voltage down to 3.6v so I could use them too?

 

[darthnoddy]

If you try
http://www.component-shop.co.uk

3 d size nimh 9000mah    about 5 quid each
or
3 c size nimh 4500mah(same as nova nickel) about 5 quid each

charger 3.6v 11.99 (charger only charges at 600ma could do with 1000ma(1a))

add a box and job done!

 

[Stupot]

: Oldhams do break as well you know ...

I know - but but you dont pay squabillions of dosh for them.

£80 would really break the bank will it.

 

[Stupot]

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH  Why can't I modify my posts ?

I meant to say :

£80 would not really break the bank will it. 

 

[SamT]

Its alot for  a caplamp with a switch that breaks - and now you need power and a charger. £250 the lot . Comes complete with dicky contacts and a crap switch.


Granted - if you knock up your own battery and charger its gonna work out cheaper.

Nah - At 130 quid - Andys is the better option In My Humble Opinion. Even if the battery lid can come off if you drop  it on your concrete floor - You are rather tall though nick.

 

[bubba]

Why can't I modify my posts ?

you should be able to modify them for 1/2 hr after posting - doesn't this work for you?

 

[Stupot]

No, I cannot modify ......... period 

Stu.

 

[darkplaces]

nor me :spank:

 

[Walrus]

Okay, done the deed and bought a Nova from Bernie's Cafe - should be here in a day or two! 

Thanks for all the advice people! 

 

[graham]

Has the switch broken yet? 

 

[Walrus]

Funny...! 

 

[Hatstand]

Has the switch broken yet? 

Graham are you refering to the horizontal sliding switch on the current models or the older side mounted style?  :doubt:

 

[Stupot]

Has the switch broken yet? 

Graham are you refering to the horizontal sliding switch on the current models or the older side mounted style?  :doubt:

The side mounted style switch is on the Nova 5, the Nova 3 has a sliding switch that breaks on the 3001 model (apparently) 

Stu.

 

[Walrus]

Still not given up on using the 6v batteries on the Nova; I've been looking at DC-DC converters. I found one that'll step down 6v->3.5v but its only available commercially. Anyone know where I could aquire a 6v-3.2v one ready built, or instructions for building my own?

 

[Walrus]

Found one - it should be here in a couple of weeks.

 

[Walrus]

the voltage convertor has arrived! and its tiny (about 3x1 cm)! tested it out and it seems to work ok; converts 6v to 3.6v - yet to run it properly with a load but it looks promising... heard about a gel substance last night from Darthnoddy for making battery boxes similar to FX5 types. Worth looking into.

 

[darthnoddy]

gelflex



keep it short

 

[Walrus]

More in the battery saga... I tried out the DC converter tonight - it works! The battery (6v) voltage drops to just under 6v in use but the converter outputs a constant 3.6v to the Nova. No appreciable heat problems (all components are barely warm). The Nova draws 0.83A on full power and the converter can handle a constant 1A supply. Now just got to work out a decent mounting arrangment!

Continued...
ts nearly 20 hours in and still going strong  . The 6v batteries have dropped about 0.75 of a volt but its still outputting 3.6v from the converter. The converter is slightly warm but certainly not hot and the Nova heatsink is still cool (not cold). Out of curiosity I tested the nickel battery - its charge is showing at 4.3v (fully charged) - not much different from the Duracell flatpack (4.6v when new)!

It needs proper testing on a trip... one evening next week, perhaps? 

My only concern now is making a battery pack & connections tough enough to withstand knocking about. I've got the right bits to make a single 6v battery version (I'm currently testing on two 6v's in paralell - my ideal solution). I'll put one together and try that.