On page 4 0f the manual it says under features: "Automatic charging (switches to float mode once fully charged).":thinking: What does "float mode mean"? Is it like a trickle charge and you can leave the spotlight plugged in all the time until you need it?
Sams HID questions
- Thread starter Steve CS
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James S
Flashlight Enthusiast
basically yes, that is what that means.
They are just telling you that it's safe to leave it plugged in without damaging the battery. lead acid cells will float charge for years quite happily as long as the charger is good enough not to apply too high a float voltage or current.
They are just telling you that it's safe to leave it plugged in without damaging the battery. lead acid cells will float charge for years quite happily as long as the charger is good enough not to apply too high a float voltage or current.
mtbkndad
Flashlight Enthusiast
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The Sam's HID has a cutoff relay switch. When the charge is complete, the relay switches the charger off. When the battery voltage drops below a certain point, the relay switches the charger back on again.
This is also why it is important to not unplug the light until it is fully charged. If you use the light till the battery is nearly dead and are charging it and unplug it before the light is fully charged and then plug it back in and the full charge LED light goes on you may have only gotten it above the low voltage turn on threshold for the relay. Needless to say this is short of a full charge and will have less then full the full amount of run time.
Take Care,
mtbkndad :wave:
This is also why it is important to not unplug the light until it is fully charged. If you use the light till the battery is nearly dead and are charging it and unplug it before the light is fully charged and then plug it back in and the full charge LED light goes on you may have only gotten it above the low voltage turn on threshold for the relay. Needless to say this is short of a full charge and will have less then full the full amount of run time.
Take Care,
mtbkndad :wave:
James S
Flashlight Enthusiast
a relay?! OK, james goes to tear his apart to get a look at the insides...
Thank's for the welcome Daloosh.
I fired it up for the first time last night and had a lot of fun with it. I live in the middle of Houston Tx., and even with all the ambiant light that was around me it was still amazing. I look forward to getting it out of the city and in real darkness to see it's real potential.
I fired it up for the first time last night and had a lot of fun with it. I live in the middle of Houston Tx., and even with all the ambiant light that was around me it was still amazing. I look forward to getting it out of the city and in real darkness to see it's real potential.
mtbkndad
Flashlight Enthusiast
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This is an over simplification, but that "residue" inside the center
of the bulb is what produces the light when it is heated.
Type- High Intensity Discharge light - into google to find a detailed explanation
of how this form of lighting works.
Take Care,
mtbkndad :wave:
of the bulb is what produces the light when it is heated.
Type- High Intensity Discharge light - into google to find a detailed explanation
of how this form of lighting works.
Take Care,
mtbkndad :wave:
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