A couple of weeks ago a good friend of mine gave me his 20 year old Stinger. Standard model. He said he was having problems with it and said if I could get it fixed I could keep it. Well, I couldn't pass that up. After I cleaned it up, alot of dust on it, I ended up plugging it in. Now, he said that the base and plug would get extremely hot and it just started doing this lately.
At first I figured it was just the dust acting as an insulator. I wiped all the contacts off and then plugged it in. The time then was about 5pm. When I got up the next morning I checked the light. The light was very dim. I then checked the base and the plug. Wow, were they hot. The plug was hotter than the base. I ended up calling Streamlight and told the gentleman what the problem was and he said it was definately the battery. Apparently when the battery gets so low on juice or is let go until it is completely dead that trashes the battery. Well I ended up getting a new battery for it, and guess what, he was right. Made my day. Now the base only get a little warm as does the plug, and that is because there is constantly juice going through the plug and base to keep it charged.
The next thing I did was get some bulbs and a new lens/reflector assembly. I did notice the older lens/reflector had a smooth finish on the reflector plus does not use the o-ring that the current ones do. The lens was a little scuffed as well. After all it is 20 years old. The new lens is so clear and the reflector has the orange peel texture to it. It makes a nice smooth beam. I called Streamlight and the are apparently going to send me a set of new o-rings, I hope so. The rings are still in pretty good shape so far so I put some silicon grease on them.
The only reason I did not send this in and have them replace things under warranty is because this light has sentimental value to me and I didn't want them to clean the paint stains on the handle off. Those add character. Now the light is basically brand new and boy is it bright. The next thing I am going to get for it is the piggyback charger w/ extra battery and also the 12 volt plug. Then it will be pretty universal.
I do have a question though. How long can the light remain off the charger without damaging the battery?
This is my first rechargeable light so any input on the above question is very welcomed.
At first I figured it was just the dust acting as an insulator. I wiped all the contacts off and then plugged it in. The time then was about 5pm. When I got up the next morning I checked the light. The light was very dim. I then checked the base and the plug. Wow, were they hot. The plug was hotter than the base. I ended up calling Streamlight and told the gentleman what the problem was and he said it was definately the battery. Apparently when the battery gets so low on juice or is let go until it is completely dead that trashes the battery. Well I ended up getting a new battery for it, and guess what, he was right. Made my day. Now the base only get a little warm as does the plug, and that is because there is constantly juice going through the plug and base to keep it charged.
The next thing I did was get some bulbs and a new lens/reflector assembly. I did notice the older lens/reflector had a smooth finish on the reflector plus does not use the o-ring that the current ones do. The lens was a little scuffed as well. After all it is 20 years old. The new lens is so clear and the reflector has the orange peel texture to it. It makes a nice smooth beam. I called Streamlight and the are apparently going to send me a set of new o-rings, I hope so. The rings are still in pretty good shape so far so I put some silicon grease on them.
The only reason I did not send this in and have them replace things under warranty is because this light has sentimental value to me and I didn't want them to clean the paint stains on the handle off. Those add character. Now the light is basically brand new and boy is it bright. The next thing I am going to get for it is the piggyback charger w/ extra battery and also the 12 volt plug. Then it will be pretty universal.
I do have a question though. How long can the light remain off the charger without damaging the battery?
This is my first rechargeable light so any input on the above question is very welcomed.
