Supernova and NiMH?

[Phaserburn]

Can the BD Supernova headlamp use NiMH AA batts?

Edited 10 mins later:

I sent this question to BD, and this was their response:

Hi David,
Thanks for taking the time to write. We do not really recommend that you modify/rewire our headlamps. Using that bettery would probably work, but it may cause the bulbs to blow out prematurely or cause some other problem, and any modification voids the warranty on the headlamp. We do have people that like to tinker with the headlamps, but please understand that we don't really know what will happen.
Cheers,
Scott

Anyone else try?

 

[chumley]

I have used NiMH in my Supernova with no problem so far. I didn't notice any difference over alkalines. BD says that lithiums are OK to use, so I don't know why NiMH cells can't be used.

 

[mrme]

It doesn't sound like BD really understood your question.
BD sells a shrink wrapped NiMh battery pack with an RCA plug for the Space Shot, so I think the person who wrote that email had that in mind instead of AA NiMh batteries.

The Supernova has a voltage regulator, so I would say it is a prime canidate for NiMh batteries.

By the way, BD headlamps are good canidates for rewiring.

 

[John N]

AFAIK, the Supernova uses Willie Hunt's LVR. My understanding is this is a PWM regulator. As long as the highest setting is regulated (and I don't know why it wouldn't be), you probably don't need to worry about overdriving the bulb.

-john

 

[Phaserburn]

Thanks. I'll be using NiMHs going forward then.

mrme, what do you mean by "rewiring"? Is there a simple mod that I can do to improve performance?

 

[mrme]

I only mentioned the rewiring since the BD guy did, but since you asked. .

I sewed up a 6aa headband mounted battery pack for my Spaceshot, as I did not like the neck pouch. I put the regulator inside the headlamp behind the reflector. It rewired quite nicely, but mechanical fit of the regulator took some work. The project was sucessfull, and now I actually use the light.

I also put a LS in a Lunar. They have a spot for an LED and the switch is the same as in the Gemeni, so again, the wiring was easy. Best headlamp in the world.

I don't yet know for sure about the Supernova as I do not YET have one. It is on my list, though. When I get one, I will put a regulator where the 6V battery for the LED goes to drive an LS and wire it up for having both the buld and the LS regulated. If I can find a non textured reflector like the first Spaceshots had, that would be ideal.

So, THAT is what I would do if I had a Supernova. Not exactly simple, but BD makes their headlamps easier to work with than any other quality headlamp manufacturer.