Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - magicshine battery replacement

Has anyone had success finding a battery replacement for the Magicshine 900? I don't want to solder on a new connector if possible. More capacity would be nice, but not necessary. Would like to keep the price ~$50. I know GeoMan is working on replacements.. but I'm getting tired of waiting.

How long of a runtime do you need? I built a DIY NIMH that gives me about 1-1.5 hours. It's not voltage regulated so there is some fading. I was thinking of doing a side-by-side time lapse of my DIY battery vs the battery that comes with the magicshine.

let me know if you're interested, I can put something together.

That said, I think you will need to do some soldering, but it'll be pretty simple.

I would actually like to increase my run-time over the stock MagicShine battery, which was about 3 hours. If I could get twice that I'd be extremely happy. I can do the soldering, but I'd prefer to get everything all assembled and tested.

I bought one of these and soldered on a connector cut from a magicshine extension cable:
http://www.all-battery.com/li-ion1865074v8800mahrechargeablebatterymodulepcbprotectionwithbareleads.aspx

It's $72, sorry. I bought mine when they were on sale for something like $28 a year ago. Given that it's twice as big as the pack MS charges $45 or so for, it's actually not a bad deal.

For about the same price, there's this:
http://www.all-battery.com/Li-Ion186507.4V5200mAhFlatRechargeableBatterywithPCBandBearLeads.aspx
or this:
http://www.all-battery.com/flatli-ion1865074v5200mahrechargeablebatterypcbmodulewith20awgbareleadsandhitecconnectors.aspx

The shape is different but it's got decent capacity.

I bought one of these and soldered on a connector cut from a magicshine extension cable:
http://www.all-battery.com/li-ion1865074v8800mahrechargeablebatterymodulepcbprotectionwithbareleads.aspx

I like the twice the capacity part.. what did you do to waterproof it after you soldered on the connector? Also, are you using the magicshine charger with it?

Where did you get less than 10 though? The link you posted has a minimum order of 10, or did that change too?

It's $72, sorry. I bought mine when they were on sale for something like $28 a year ago. Given that it's twice as big as the pack MS charges $45 or so for, it's actually not a bad deal.I kind of doubt it. And battery space has minimum order of "10 count."

If you bought an eight cell battery pack for $28, some one selling it made a serious mistake. (maybe it was NiCad)

I bought a 4800mah batterypack (standard MS is 4400) from batteryspace.com with smartcharger for $76.00. Pack alone would come in around $50. Powerconnector on the pack is two pin but included is a two pin to MagicShine standard adapter. Powerizer threatened to charge an additional $25 haz-mat fee but never did. YMMV.

H

Once you put the magicshine connector on a battery pack, as long as it's the 7.4v, can you use the magicshine charger? I was liking the look of this one. (http://www.batteryspace.com/li-ion18650battery74v6000mah44whbatterymodulewithpcb.aspx)

Or would I be better getting a regulated battery pack like this (http://www.batteryspace.com/polymerli-ionbattery74v5700mah4218whwithtrail-techfemaleplug.aspx)?

I'm going to run a test this weekend to see how long the MS runs on the Gemini battery. I'll post graphs when I have them. that might be an option that would work.

By the way, have you thought of just using a battery holder with NIMH batteries? That would allow you to switch batteries on the go.

By the way, have you thought of just using a battery holder with NIMH batteries? That would allow you to switch batteries on the go.

I've thought about it. Wasn't sure about being able to get enough capacity. Also, I ride in a lot of inclement weather, so even in my trunk bag, it needs to be waterproof. I suppose a bag could fix that.. but it certainly would make changing batteries less convenient.

I'm going to run a test this weekend to see how long the MS runs on the Gemini battery. I'll post graphs when I have them. that might be an option that would work.

My MS light runs 3:15 on high using a Gemini battery in 30-40 deg weather. It's been a while since my MS batteries were fresh enough to be useful, but 2:45 sticks in my head for similar cool-weather conditions when they were new. I've used about 60-65% advertised run-time as my metric for most batteries I've used considering most of my night-time miles are in the cold when the sun sets early.

Or would I be better getting a regulated battery pack like this (http://www.batteryspace.com/polymerli-ionbattery74v5700mah4218whwithtrail-techfemaleplug.aspx)?Both the ones you listed are regulated. This second one is a better replacement because it has a female plug that fits right into the MS light. No cutting or soldering needed. It doesn't have the outer covering that clicks together to form a water-tight seal though, but mechanically and electronically, they are compatible DC plugs. Also works with the MS charger.

http://www.batteryspace.com/ProductImages/battery/7.4V5.711.jpg

Both the ones you listed are regulated. This second one is a better replacement because it has a female plug that fits right into the MS light. No cutting or soldering needed.

Any thoughts on moving up to one of the bigger batteries (10 ah) for more capacity? Right now I'm thinking 2 of the smallish batteries is better in case I have a batter failure.

Any thoughts on moving up to one of the bigger batteries (10 ah) for more capacity? Right now I'm thinking 2 of the smallish batteries is better in case I have a batter failure.Sure, you can have two packs and use a switch to flip between them.

Sure, you can have two packs and use a switch to flip between them.

I hadn't even considered that.. i really like it.

Hey guys, i ran a test this weekend with both batteries, here's a graph of the results. If you want to read more the down and dirty data, you can look here (http://beamreview.com/?p=221).

http://beamreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/MSvsGeminiBattery.jpg

Sorry, I didn't notice the "quantity 10" thing there. A bunch of people here bought the 8 cell Tenergy packs when they were on sale. I don't rightly remember the exact price, could be $28 or $35, I don't think it was more than that. I think it was < $40 with shipping.

It's been running like a champ ever since.

As far as waterproofing, It was not waterproof to start with. I peeled back the shrink wrap, soldered on the new connector, wrapped it with black electrical tape, then put it into the corner of a heavy grade plastic bag, put 3 zip-ties tightly around the bag and wire, then cut the bag off above the ties. I think it's pretty water-tight at this point. I've ridden in heavy downpours without trouble. Of course, I bought a waterproof pannier a few months ago so that doesn't matter to me anymore.

I know it's been a while since I asked this question, but my MagicShine battery pack is toast (yes, I was still using it). It just won't hold a charge.

Instead of shelling out $50 for a replacement, I was thinking about building one.

Would this holder (http://www.batteryspace.com/Battery-holder-Li-Ion-18650-Battery-Holder-2S2P-With-2.6-long-20AWG.aspx) work for a replacement (once I put the end on, of course)? I have the 18650 batteries for my light I bought to use as a replacement / backup for the MagicShine.

I know it's been a while since I asked this question, but my MagicShine battery pack is toast (yes, I was still using it). It just won't hold a charge.

Instead of shelling out $50 for a replacement, I was thinking about building one.

Would this holder (http://www.batteryspace.com/Battery-holder-Li-Ion-18650-Battery-Holder-2S2P-With-2.6-long-20AWG.aspx) work for a replacement (once I put the end on, of course)? I have the 18650 batteries for my light I bought to use as a replacement / backup for the MagicShine.

That holder should work. However it looks like the under voltage on the PCB needs to be reset after you installed battery. That being said, if a cell jiggle loose or you try to swap with fresh battery while out riding, the pack may need to be reset with a charger. I also think that you might have to reset it if you are planning to remove the cell out of the holder and charging the cell with an external charger bay.

After insert battery(ies), must connect to charger to enable the pcb. Otherwise, you will get "no" output from pcb!

That holder should work. However it looks like the under voltage on the PCB needs to be reset after you installed battery. That being said, if a cell jiggle loose or you try to swap with fresh battery while out riding, the pack may need to be reset with a charger. I also think that you might have to reset it if you are planning to remove the cell out of the holder and charging the cell with an external charger bay.

Crud.. that puts a kink in my plans. I wonder if I should just look for one that holds a bunch of NiMh AAs. But all of these would have the PCB I would imagine. The idea of the PCB is to keep from killing individual cells, right?

Crud.. that puts a kink in my plans. I wonder if I should just look for one that holds a bunch of NiMh AAs. But all of these would have the PCB I would imagine. The idea of the PCB is to keep from killing individual cells, right?

That PCB keeps it protected from over discharge, shorts, hi current draw and over discharge during charging. It was meant to be use on non protected cell. If you have protected cell, then a non battery holder pack will be better like this one ( http://www.luminousdiy.com/Light%20Kits%20and%20Parts.htm#holders). I've never used one but another member in another post had pictures of it. You can configure it with jumpers.

If you are going to use 4 cells, try to keep the same rating on each cell with the same manufactor and same chemistry. Otherwise you will have misbalance problems during discharge. Less of an issue during recharge if you charge them individually.

Really - if you need a standard value battery - there's little value in doing it yourself.

And building battery packs with extra cells will always end with a pack with less over all efficiency.

Bottom line, use "regular battery packs." The only reason I built "AA" packs was because I can use them successfully for "all night" Magic Shine tail light power as well as "back up" head lights.

The only reason I built "AA" packs was because I can use them successfully for "all night" Magic Shine tail light power as well as "back up" head lights.

That's my goal. I want to have a battery pack that I can add run time for little cost (extra batteries), but I want the MagicShine output. Maybe I'm asking the wrong question. Maybe I should be looking for a AA or 18650 powered light that has the equivalent output to the MagicShine. Or maybe I should give up on this quest and just bite the bullet and get a dyno hub for my primary bike.