Mysterious Light Failure. Suggestions?

[Kanga]

Not having yet taken Digger's proposed Equipment Speciality Day, I have no idea what the problem is with my broken torch.

My torch has mysteriously stopped working. It did about 40 dives without complaint, then I had to stop diving for a while. When I reimmersed a year later, I put the torch on charge for 24 hours before trying to use it again, as instructed, but discovered it will only work when plugged into the wall on charge. This is fine when using it to find the light switch in the dark, but pretty useless for diving.

Once I take the charger off, it (the torch, not the charger) flickers pathetically and then dies. Any thoughts? The torch is a beaver astro, which looks like this:


And its battery pack looks like this, if that's relevant (I clearly have no idea what I'm talking about here):


I'd really like to avoid having to buy another torch right now, and this one was a present, which I cherish (though cherished more when working, frankly).

Many thanks,
alice

[Digger]

I think I have found the problem. It has that word beginning with B on the front.

In all seriousness, my first guess would be the battery is dead. So it will work when plugged in but not when relying on the batteries. But that is a guess.

Digs.

[Kanga]

But can I replace those weird green tube batteries? They basically comprise most of the torch, so seems like buying a whole new bit of kit.

(I'm ignoring the comment about Beaver quality builds because I don't want to entertain the thought that the person who bought this for me actually intended it as a slap in the face, rather than a generous gesture )

[Digger]

Well, yes, you can. But you might as well buy a new torch if that's the torch I think it is. Plus that way you get a new toy.

Contact Beaver, they might be able to help. I'm sure they'll have a few of those battery packs lying around.

Any idea where it was bought from? They might be able to help too.

I find with torches swapping components (lieka battery pack) can identify a problem.

Did I mention I fixed the dishwasher this morning? It's mothers day, now she can get on and do the housework! What a son I am. I did havea screw leftover at the end, rather worryingly, but I put it in the bin so no-one would know. You could try that with your torch

Digs.

[Kanga]

Originally Posted by Digger

Well, yes, you can. But you might as well buy a new torch if that's the torch I think it is. Plus that way you get a new toy.

Contact Beaver, they might be able to help. I'm sure they'll have a few of those battery packs lying around.

Any idea where it was bought from? They might be able to help too.

I find with torches swapping components (lieka battery pack) can identify a problem.

Did I mention I fixed the dishwasher this morning? It's mothers day, now she can get on and do the housework! What a son I am. I did havea screw leftover at the end, rather worryingly, but I put it in the bin so no-one would know. You could try that with your torch

Digs.

Thanks for that. I take your point. Guess I'll be back to relying on my mini UK40 as my primary light again. How is it one company can make such brilliant torches, and another such rubbish ones? If UK made dishwashers, they'd last forever on a couple of AA batteries, still work when flooded and abused by clueless operators, and never need fixing by errant sons. If Beaver made dishwashers they'd... hold on, did Beaver make your mum's machine? That's why it doesn't matter that some of the key components seem to be missing.

[rob lumb]

did you leave the torch for a long time without charging it.if you leave it more than a couple of months without charging it it can cause irrepairable damage to the batteries.if they are a nickel metal hydride battery which by the looks of it it is,you need to keep on top of the charging.the greenforce torches use the same nimh batteries and over use is better than under use.

rob lumb

[SilvaFish]

Originally Posted by rob lumb

did you leave the torch for a long time without charging it.if you leave it more than a couple of months without charging it it can cause irrepairable damage to the batteries.if they are a nickel metal hydride battery which by the looks of it it is,you need to keep on top of the charging.the greenforce torches use the same nimh batteries and over use is better than under use.

rob lumb

A good point! I haven't used my Greenforce since January and it, well, was fully charged at the time! 5 hours overtime its what it costed me, so I've just switched it on and put it in my fishtank (so it's submersed ) to drain the battery, then will give it a full charge. The advantage of that - a) the fish look sooo pretty and b) the freshwater shrimp will give it a good clean!

So, are we supposed to make sure we drain the battery then fully charge every 2 months to keep the battery in tip-top condition? If so, my fish will get a rude awakening every so often until I am well enough to dive!

Thanks for the advice,
Lou

[uwila]

Originally Posted by Kanga

But can I replace those weird green tube batteries? They basically comprise most of the torch, so seems like buying a whole new bit of kit.

Those weird green tube batteries are almost certailny just 2 AA batteries in a shrink wrap outer cover. I've re-celled my torch after it died and it cost me about 1/3 of the cost of a new one. Your call - cheap or shiney new?

Cheers, Chris

[pieater]

I've got one of these torches lying about somewhere not being used, I might be persuaded to sell it. Never flooded and still works. Pm me if you're interested.

Martin

[Woz]

You'll probably find that the cells are a weird size like 8/5 AA or something. But most likely the pack is toast. If I were you I would chuck the whole thing in the canal and get a decent torch. Beaver make the following good things:

Atomic masks
Wet and semidry suits
Bags
Jetfins

Everything else is of dubious quality. Especially if it says "stainless" on it.