Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Unhappy with Nite rider Lights

I have a nite rider firestorm that after 2 year the light will only light if the battery is fresh off the charger. Its odd.. cause once the light is on, it will stay on for 4 hours.... If I charge the battery and let it site for 1 hour, the light will not turn on... only the led on the top will turn green.

Its weird, its like the light needs a high voltage to turn on, then it will stay on.
If you let the battery site for 1 hour, it wont light.
Anyone else see this issue with this light.

A new battery is going to cost $160:twitchy:
Then If thats not it, Ill have to pay another $20 bench fee plus cost of parts.

Isnt it great when you pay $400 for a light and then need to pay another $200+ 2 years later to get it to work?

I learned my lesson a few years ago when Niterider did the same thing to me, 200.00 for a battery for the NR 12E.. I took my business to Light and Motion, they were much more helpful when any issues arose.. There are so many choices, take your 160.00 and get on the P7 bandwagon and you will be very happy..

snip.... take your 160.00 and get on the P7 bandwagon and you will be very happy..

+1 you can't go wrong with a P7.

Why not try the new P7 cycle light from DX ?

http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_25149_2_small.jpg

It's only $80 inc p&p and shouldn't be too difficult to repair if it ever dies further down the line...

:) :thumb:

For the NR: Plug the battery in, wait a minute for the capacitor to run up, and then hold the button down for a couple seconds while the HID strikes (rather than just pressing and releasing it).

Thanks.. Ill try that.

What I did do is buy 4 a123 cells that are 3.3 volts(nominal) each. gives me 13.2 volts in parallel.

I did this for under 50$. Granted, its only 2300mha but If I need more than I can just buy more cells.

See, Im im RC cars and electric Airplanes so If the light is just crap im not out. Ill be using these batteries for other things too ;-)

Luckly I have a a123 comp charger to

I have not had to do this yet but my riding buddies went to the local battery store, I think it was batteries plus, and had batteries made for their older lights. This source is much more affordable than factory, which except for Dinotte, are very expensive.

Ok, update. I have my A123 cells and I charged them.. peaked at 3.6 volts a cell. Thats 14.4 volts for 4 cells, but of course under load it drops a bit. Im run each cell on a charge/discharge cycle to see capacity and performance first. Then Ill build the packs and let you all know how they work.

These cells at 2300mha should go for about 2 hours Im guessing.
I just need to be sure that on the light they dont go below 2volts a cell. But Ill test for that.

At $40 for the cells and about $5 for the connectors, these are a way better deal than nite riders $160 (plus shipping) price. Run 2 of these in parallel you got 4600 mah for under $100 bucks. thats about 1000 mah of the original cells I got with the light.

Ok, update. I have my A123 cells .....These cells at 2300mha

Which A123 cells are these ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110396393637&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT&refitem=110394033279&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%26itu%3DUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D4

Item number 110396393637 on ebay
a123 systems. I guess A123 is the name given by the company. I think the generic name is M1 cells. But im not 100% sure.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110396393637&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT&refitem=110394033279&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%26itu%3DUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D4

Item number 110396393637 on ebay
a123 systems. I guess A123 is the name given by the company. I think the generic name is M1 cells. But im not 100% sure.

Cheers, what size are they physically ?

Are they bigger than 18650s ?

18 x 65 mm ?

thats the best price i've seen on m1's!

i think you forgot to mention one of the best features of a123... they can go from empty to Fully Charged in only 15min!!!

what rc do you plan to run the m1's in? im considering converting my ae mgt to brushless and using the m1's...

btw, i just checked out your site... the soundlab looks/sounds awesome!

i think you forgot to mention one of the best features of a123... they can go from empty to Fully Charged in only 15min!!!

More importantly they don't burst into flames like Lipo....

the m1's are 26650 and measure 26mm x 65mm

they are available in 18650 form factor if thats what you're looking for.... the 18650 is 1100mah

http://www.a123systems.com/products

thats the best price i've seen on m1's!

i think you forgot to mention one of the best features of a123... they can go from empty to Fully Charged in only 15min!!!

what rc do you plan to run the m1's in? im considering converting my ae mgt to brushless and using the m1's...

btw, i just checked out your site... the soundlab looks/sounds awesome!

Im going to run them in a tamiya Pajero and the Tamiya CR-01 Unimog... Both rock crawlers.

Thanks for the compliments on the synths I sell...

Im still waiting for some parts to arrive so I can build the cells