Magic Shine Lights Recall

finnj6

Hi I've read that a dealer in the states has recalled any magic shine lights sold between Dec 2009 and Nov 2010. Its something to do with a dodgy battery.

I have a set en-route form dx but there is no word about this recall on their website or on the UK dealers website.

Has anyone had any serious issues such as fire or explosions with them? I've heard the battery life can go quickly but that can be replaced after a short trip to a decent electronics provider after all and it will still end up cheaper than major brand lights. That's a risk I was willing to take, however I don't like the idea of my house going on fire or it exploding during a spin

peter413

No problems with mine, I think it's just someone being way to cautious after a faulty one maybe did this, never heard of someone's battery exploding in their face

diy

They are inherently risky by design, because they rely on a simple short, discharge and over charge protection circuit and do not have any thermal protection. Laptop packs for example have additional thermal monitoring and many even charge individually even though the pack itself might 3x3 groups.

Basic rules apply
- charge in a reasonably fire proof environment where a flash of flame would not cause a fire. e.g. a metal tray away from combustible material.
- do not charge over night without using a timing switch.
- occasionally check the temperature when the cells have been charged for 1 hour, not every time but once in a while. The cells should not get hot.

If paranoid invest in the many after market ebay 18650 holders and use a proper digital charger to charge cells individually. the risk is really a 4.2v cell getting 8.4v or high amps when the cell is in Phase 2.

Secondly the individual cells are not protected, so water ingress could cause a short.

Its unlikely the pack would explode, but it could easily cause a fire.

nicklouse

more reading
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... ine+recall

diy

Nothing to suggest the new pack is any different.. the focus seems to be to protect from the cuases that will lead to a short, rather than charging protection.

finnj6

thanks

so basically just be careful with charging them. Hopefully the one i bought is the one with the new battery pack. I bought the one with the lcd battery info screen

welshkev

mines been fine for the last 2 months, fingers crossed it'll still be fine. i'll just not leave it charging and then go out

diy

yep - sensible approach.
tbh if you damage any pack there is a risk of shorting and these cells are high power. I once almost set fire to myself by dropping an unprotected cell in my pocket. I had some change in my pocket and the cell shorted off the copper coins and heated up very quickly. It would have vented flame probably within a minute.

cycle monster

Yikes. Have been reading the various light threads for a while and was tempted to plunge for a cheap option. Might have to bite the bullet and go with the recommendation of my LBS. Their view was that most of the cheap lights failed/cut out in the wet or low temperatures and all of the local riders that compete regularly go for Exposure/Hope on the basis of quality, reliability and top notch after sales service when it is required which is not often. Doubtless there will be a queue of people with entirely different experiences right behind me! :?:

welshkev

diy wrote:

yep - sensible approach.
tbh if you damage any pack there is a risk of shorting and these cells are high power. I once almost set fire to myself by dropping an unprotected cell in my pocket. I had some change in my pocket and the cell shorted off the copper coins and heated up very quickly. It would have vented flame probably within a minute.

i've done that with a 9v battery once, and the coins got bloody hot then :shock: