Exploding N2 lamp ruins my best SRTH!

[brightnorm]

It was my pride and joy, so perfect that it even outthrew one of my 3" turboheads. I think you can guess how I felt. I had been continuing tests of the SRTH and the Mini-Ultra (Streamlight HP with Ginseng's 6v pack and US lamp) for an upcoming "vertical throw test" and decided to do a very limited, very short runtest. About 6 minutes into the test I heard a sudden loud

PLINK!

The light went out and I saw that the entire lense was clouded over with a dull film through which I could faintly see some marks on the reflector. The bulb's envelope was completely gone but the filiment appeared intact until I looked carefully and saw a fine gap between one end and the supporting arm.

I originally bought it from LPS and just emailed them to see if they could replace the lens. I figured a dinged reflector is better than no reflector at all but I don't kid myself that it will be as good as it once was.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif

Brightnorm

 

[Topper]

Wow what A bummer, I use the N2 in a couple lights and have not had a problem I sure hope they can fix you up.
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[js]

oh brightnorm, I'm sorry! This truly SUCKS!

I know how you feel. I've done the same thing, but fortunately I only ruined an $8 Carlrey 1940 and an $8 UCL.

Funny, too, because isn't the US lamp being driven to spec with a 6v pack? You didn't have a WA1160 in it, right? You were using an Ultra Stinger lamp, right?

 

[brightnorm]

Jim,

Actually it was the N2 in the SRTH, not the US bulb in the"Mini-Ultra

BN

 

[js]

[ QUOTE ]
brightnorm said:
Jim,

Actually it was the N2 in the SRTH, not the US bulb in the"Mini-Ultra

BN

[/ QUOTE ]

Right! Duh! Just like it says in the thread title. Sorry. Not enough coffee today.

 

[brightnorm]

Jim,

Jim, I should clarify that the N2 is a 9v lamp. The N1 is a 6v bulb and actually quite impressive in a SRTH on a 2x123 body but it doesn't approach the brightness/throw of the N2.

BN

 

[js]

BN,

OOPS! Sorry. Yes, that makes a big difference. Dang. I always get the "N" lamps mixed up. It seems I never know which goes with 2x123 and which with 3x123. Sorry. Mea Culpa. This should have been fine then. Hmmm. Anyway, I'll edit my post above.

 

[brightnorm]

LPS informed me that the SRTH lens isn't replaceable so I filled it partly with water and vigorously swished it around, hoping to dislodge any dust and debris deposited on the lens by the explosion. It actually did help, up to a point, but that SRTH will never be the same.

BN

 

[Stingray]

I would think that surefire would replace the lamp and turbohead for you.

 

[jtivat]

I damaged a SRTH by doing something very stupid and explained this to Surefire and they still fixed it for FREE!
It's worth a try. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[brightnorm]

Stingray and JT,

After reading your posts I am /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif myself because it never even occurred to me to call Surefire since both the lamp and SRTH were pretty old and occasional product malfunctions are part of life.

With that in mind I threw the @%%$#! thing out yesterday and the garbage has already been picked up.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gifBrightnorm

 

[js]

My God! Brightnorm! Why? Are you the one who threw away your bad TigerLight battery pack too? Am I remembering this right?

I would have paid you good money for either the spent TL pack (at the time you threw it out--instead I had to destroy my perfectly good pack) or the damaged SRTH and blown N2 lamp. That sucks!

Might I suggest that next time you post a B/S/T thread just in case someone wants the item, and then someone like JT could post and say "try seeing if SF will fix it" (best case) or someone like me will buy it (middle case) or you just throw it out a week later (worst case).

 

[brightnorm]

Jim,

I probably have a different perspective about these things. I assumed that since I had overdischarged the TL battery I couldn't blame the product; after all, I'd abused the merchandise so I had to accept the consequences and it would be dishonest to think or act differently. The SRTH situation was similar; I was doing a run test, admittedly limited but we all know these Surefire lamps are not designed for extended running so why should I blame SF for my error?

In both cases it never occurred to me to complain to the manufacturer, or to sell or give away products that seemed destroyed and useless and that clearly had to be thrown out.
If the products had failed during what I saw as "normal" use my reaction would have been entirely different.

Evidently it's time to rethink my attitudes, though I've always felt that if I screw up I accept responsibility and not blame others. I'm glad to get a different perspective even though it's hard to think in those terms.

Brightnorm

 

[Size15's]

I've done loads of runtimes using the N2. I don't expect them to explode and have never lost an N2 like that. They are, and should be, able to handle that in my experience.

 

[js]

Brightnorm,

I tend to agree with you about the warranty stuff, especially in the specific cases involved. I was thinking more about the case where you offer it up for sale, or for free if someone pays shipping, so that weirdo modders and experimentors have the chance to use them for whatever weird projects they have going. I would have paid for a dead battery pack, so I could take it apart and see how it was made. I would have paid for a destroyed SRTH for those reasons, and also in case I could modify it or use it in some way, or possibly repair or retro fit it.

I was certainly NOT suggesting anything dishonest or questionable. I mean, even in the case of asking SureFire for a replacement, it doesn't do any harm just to ask does it--provided you give them all the details of what you were doing and how it happened? Then they can decide whether or not you were culpable and whether or not it should be replaced under warranty.

And chances are--as Al has indicated--they wouldn't think twice about it, even given all the details.

But, as I said, I just mainly wanted to say that I would have bought that damaged SRTH from you for at least $10 + shipping. So, next time something like this happens, at least send me a PM, or better yet, post on B/S/T just in case. Might earn you a pint or two. Nothing to scoff at.

 

[brightnorm]

Al,

It's good to know that the N2s normally stand up to sustained runs. In the futureI plan to use two PILA 150S for the SRTH N2 and P91. Is there any reason why that would impose greater stress to the bulb than 3x123s?

JS,

I'll try to remember that, but forget the pint; gave it up in 1986.

Brightnorm

 

[Size15's]

I have no idea how the N2 will cope with the alternative powersource. Perhaps it would be a good idea to try it out in a ruined reflector for 6-10 battery charges?