Originally Posted by
bikegeek57
rats, double rats, have Trail Rat 2.0 headlight system that is not keeping a decent charge on battery. rated 1.45 hours and I rarely see 1 hour. Have had the system since July 2008! Called Niterider. They said to send entire system back to them for check up and service. That will be 2+ weeks with out a headlight? I don't think so. I have a helmet light to be seen but it is not adequate for real riding. So I have to make a decision. What light do I get as a backup headlight? I don't want to spend more than $200. I would rather spend less than $200. I commute daily and the road has some very dark sections. Definitely need that light. Suggestions anyone? I will keep the Trail Rat as secondary light if I upgrade.
What to do, what to do?
I agree with genec. Just replace the battery. If you jump the voltage up to 7.2V, you'll double the output. A good 7.2 4.5Ahr RC battery from BatterySpace will cost you about $40. Depending on the wattage of your current bulb, you could see between 2 hour (15W bulb) and 3 hr run times (10W bulb).
It's always a good idea to have more than one light anyway. Some of the P7 LED flashlights (look in Electronics) are cheap and bright. Their run time is poor, however. They only last about an hour and take a nonstandard (at least for consumers
) battery. Changing batteries for them in the field would be a bit risky, too. Cold, dark and small threaded parts don't make for a happy ending
I carry a Fenix single AA as my, literally, 'when all else fails' light. After getting stuck in the Colorado mountains after dark without any light, I always carry something...sometimes 2 or 3 somethings
...with me.