Hope Vision 1 LED problem

powenb

Has anyone else got one of these and had problems with it cutting out?

When I bought it I also bought 8 Uniross 2700mAH rechargables and a Uniross 10 hour charger.

The light only lasts about 55 minutes before it just cuts out (not pleasant on a dark rode).
I've tried it with both sets of batteries.

I have tried it with some Energizer Extra batteries and again it lasted less than an hour.

It went back to Hope and they said they tested it with just Duracell batteries and it lasted fine.
When I got it back I tried it again, and same story.
I'm not saying they didn't test it, but it just seems strange.

Anyone else?

alfablue

Is it a smart charger?

NiMH batteries can have a pretty short life i charged in a cheap charger that determines charge just by a timer - they get overcharged and cooked. Such a charger cannot take account of any partial charge remaining and overcharging can result. Not saying it isn't a smart charger, but this is a possibility.

A smart charger will have circuits that cut out based on voltage and temperature, ensuring your batteries don't die prematurely.

I got through a set of 16 batteries in a few months using a cr*p charger.

I now use a Maha Wizard One charger - not cheap, but it takes great care of the cells. You can get pretty good smart chargers for less though, such as the Technoline BL-700 and the Vapextech LCD World Ultra-Fast Charger. I also recommend the 2900mah batteries from Vapextech, mine have been running well for the past 18 months.

andrew_s

If you use a set of 4 batteries, the life of the set is determined by the weakest battery. Unfortunately it isn't that uncommon for one battery in a set of 4 to be on a poor state out of the packet, and if you use the set until cutout and recharge in a simple charger, it will just get worse. I've found that the duff batteries will recover over 2 or 3 charge cycles, but that depends on having a decent charger that will let you charge the batteries individually rather than as pairs.The things that do the damage is overcharging, and using a flat battery together with others that still have enough oomph to force current through the flat battery.
The Maha or Technoline chargers are best but a simple-ish charger that charges the batteries individually (ie will charge a single battery) is OK if you have some means of discharging the batteries individually, such as a bright 1xAA torch. The 4 batteries should take about the same time each to charge, and should light the torch for about the same time. If they do, they are matched and should be OK as a set. If one charges quicker/doesn't last as long, give it a few extra charge cycles on its own, and then check the set again. The Maha & Technoline chargers will do an automatic charge/discharge and give you a capacity reading at the end so you don't have to watch the torch.