View Full Version : Headlamp difficulties
RedBeerd
02-09-2013, 16:16
My headlamp, Black Diamond Storm, always seems to turn on and drain in my pack. I use lithium so this is an expensive problem. No matter where it is, loose, in a sack, up top, on the side.. I have seen people wear it around their necks. No thanks. Someone once suggested a small Tupperware..what do you all think? Any solution welcome!
topshelf
02-09-2013, 16:27
humm i have this headlamp, never had this problem. put it in with your extra clothes?
bigcranky
02-09-2013, 19:06
Is it a sliding switch? Gaffer's tape will cure that.
My new BD Spot has a lockout feature - hold the main button for 6sec and it locks itself. Then it takes a 6sec press to unlock. Having some experience with the self-lighting headlamps inside my pack, this is an excellent feature.
RedBeerd
02-09-2013, 19:11
Its a push button but it may have that feature. I will check. Thanks bigcranky!
Stink Bug
02-09-2013, 19:27
I have the same headlamp and, slightly tongue in cheek here, but it's not rocket surgery, take out the batteries. I do this with mine and keep them together with a rubber band.
Yep, take a battery out.
I have the new Storm (love it) and it takes 4 AAAs. It has a lockout feature but there have been some reports of battery drain with the unit off so I always take out one of the batteries during the day.
I use lithiums too and with a price of $8-$9 for 4 of them I don't want to waste any juice either.
shelterbuilder
02-09-2013, 20:18
Back in the day, we used to turn ONE battery backwards to make it impossible for the power to flow in any direction.
I place my headlamp in a plastic freezer bag and then place it in a sidepocket. I have never had one turn on while I was backpacking.
RedBeerd
02-09-2013, 21:49
Taking out the batteries always seemed unnecessary to me..take them out and put them in every night?? Ehhhh..but maybe its just what I gotta do. I like the one backwards battery idea. Thanks everyone
Taking one out and putting it in backwards is the same as taking one out and leaving it out until you want to put it back in isn't it? Assuming you don't lose the battery after you take it out. :)
FWIW, I did try to flip a battery around backwards but the way the compartment is designed for the + terminal and - terminal of the battery it didn't really fit well without a bit of force and I didn't want to chance breaking something.
RedBeerd
02-09-2013, 23:45
Okay okay I'll take one out :)
Sarcasm the elf
02-10-2013, 00:02
Back in the day, we used to turn ONE battery backwards to make it impossible for the power to flow in any direction.
This is an urban legend. Do not reverse the polarity of a battery in any electronic device.
http://www.petzl.com/us/security-alert-0/2005/11/08/reversing-batterys-polarity-dangerous
Reversing a battery's polarity is dangerous and can cause explosions and chemical burns
It's absolutely necessary to correctly insert the batteries in the battery case, making sure to follow the diagrams on the battery case in regards to the batteries' polarity.
A battery inserted the wrong way can explode
If the polarity of one battery is reversed in the battery case (with two ends in contact with one another or two ends in contact with each other) it's actually being charged by the other batteries.
This causes a chemical reaction inside the reversed battery. Within the span of a few minutes, the battery can leak explosive gases and/or extremely corrosive liquids.
There's a danger of explosion and chemical burns.
Indication: a weak level of light
If a headlamp with fresh batteries emits a weak light, it means that one or more of the batteries are reversed.
What to do?
Immediately turn off the headlamp and check the polarity of the batteries.
Precautions must be taken when opening the battery case in the event a leak has already occurred or occurs while opening the case.
If you come in contact with the liquid from the batteries, immediately rinse the affected area with running water and seek medical help.
Safety information (http://www.petzl.com/us/pro/news/safety-information)
Headlamps (http://www.petzl.com/us/taxonomy/term/860)
Headlamps (http://www.petzl.com/us/tag/headlamps)
Petzl team theme 2 (http://www.petzl.com/us/taxonomy/term/97)
security information (http://www.petzl.com/us/tag/security-information)
security information (http://www.petzl.com/us/taxonomy/term/872)
Petzl Pro's blog (http://www.petzl.com/us/blog/27)
RedBeerd
02-10-2013, 09:11
Wow thanks for the heads up.
I recently got a BD Revolt which has the lockout. With previous headlamps, before Elf's illuminating post,I would reverse 1 battery between uses experiencing no problems. You might try storing the lamp inside a ball of extra socks. Anyone have any opinions on slipping a small piece of nonconductor , say a strip of paper or plastic between battery and contact to act as a 2nd off switch? That said, isn't the weakest part of the lamp the "catch" "on the battery cover? All that opening and closing, wearing the most vulnerable point, is it worth it?
How do you like the ReVolt?
I planned to buy a BD Storm before reading this posting. Seems to me the Storm can be too much trouble. I think I will reconsider my plans and choose another light.
I still like the storm very much. I would recommend it faults not withstanding.
Bright, good battery life, lockout, etc. well worth. $50.
How do you like the ReVolt? I like it, but I just got it recently. You can dim it to prolong battery life time, and it will warn you when battery is running low so you can make adjustments. I think the rechargeable batteries are probably most useful for shorter trips or around the house,as their life is significantly shorter than alkalines, and it takes a few hours to recharge. I was hoping to keep a few batteries out of the landfill but still not sure if all the extra bells and whistles were worth the additional expense. I'll know more on the back end when it finally fails, if it gave better service than the 2 less expensive ones that I could have bought with the same money.
Wise Old Owl
02-10-2013, 11:24
Back in the day, we used to turn ONE battery backwards to make it impossible for the power to flow in any direction. with a regular bulb yea you could do that. Today you can blow the LED or voltage regulator.
Has anyone considered the soft switch push button is defective and he should return/replace the unit?
RedBeerd
02-10-2013, 16:51
The storm is great besides this issue. I could always bring it back to REI for a new one. May be detective, who knows. I know taking a battery in and out everyday I'm bound to lose that little ass screw that holds em in
In all honesty you could probably just leave the battery in there and just make sure it was off and locked.
If it was a common problem the company would've already addressed it.
I'm sure they sold thousands of them and I probably read less than half a dozen people who had the battery drain issue.