Upgrade/Better Dinotte AA battery connection Suggestion
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Riverdale, NY
Posts: 761
Bikes: 2002 Seven Axiom
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Upgrade/Better Dinotte AA battery connection Suggestion
Using the Dinnotte 200L AA battery light and am getting a bit frustrated on how poorly the battery connector stays tight to the light connection. I have bought some new battery holders but eventually these things tend to seperate.
I can use a rubber band to fix the issue, but perhaps someone has created or found a better connection system?
Thanks
I can use a rubber band to fix the issue, but perhaps someone has created or found a better connection system?
Thanks
#3
Hanging On
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 872
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This is the weak point of the DiNotte AA-series design. i would think that you could solder on any connector pair you wanted (see for example suggestions given in the omnibus Magicshine thread for replacing those battery connectors). I have used rubber bands for over a year now and they work so well that I have not given any thought to upgrading the connectors.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Riverdale, NY
Posts: 761
Bikes: 2002 Seven Axiom
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Rubberbands work, I keep the batteries together that way.
I have a magicshine so I may just do both at the same time, cause sooner or later that one will go.
I have a magicshine so I may just do both at the same time, cause sooner or later that one will go.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 1,840
Bikes: Bianchi San Remo - set up as a utility bike, Peter Mooney Road bike, Peter Mooney commute bike,Dahon Folder,Schwinn Paramount Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The AA series must use a different connector from the Li series. I have a total of 3 of the L series lights and battery packs, and the connectors are bomb proof. Is it possible to get the L series connectors from Dinotte?
#6
Hanging On
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 872
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The AA series uses what look like standard 9V battery connectors. It should be no trick to replace the connectors if that's what you want. On the other hand, my son shipped his light back to DiNotte and they repaired it and sent it back the same day (no additional cost). It's a good company.
#7
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,940
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 974 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
352 Posts
I never have problems with the connector to the AA battery pack. But the AA batteries would pop loose all the time. So now I wrap two rubber bands around the battery pack to hold the AAs in.
I have the cloth battery pack bag velcroed to my stem, so the wire to the light loops around in a circle to the battery pack and has no strain on it. It's never come loose.
I have the cloth battery pack bag velcroed to my stem, so the wire to the light loops around in a circle to the battery pack and has no strain on it. It's never come loose.
#8
Because I thought I could
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Wash DC Metro
Posts: 969
Bikes: November, Trek OCLV, Bianchi Castro Valley commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The AA battery pack is the weak spot of the design. Nothing much Dinotte can do about that if you want the convenience of AA batteries. You can use elastic bands, stretchy electrical tape, a piece of inner tube, or heat shrink tubing to keep the batteries in place and the 9V-style connector attached. Elastic bands are probably the easiest and cheapest. The big plus is AA batteries are ubiquitous, and you can replace a damaged battery holder (or carry a spare pack ready to go) at Radio Shack. I use rechargable NiMH cells in mine and carry a set of AA Lithiums as a back-up.
I did pick up a 600L headlamp and Li-ion taillight last fall during one of Dinotte's sales for my commuter. My AA 200L is now a helmet light and I use the AA-powered taillight on my road bike.
I did pick up a 600L headlamp and Li-ion taillight last fall during one of Dinotte's sales for my commuter. My AA 200L is now a helmet light and I use the AA-powered taillight on my road bike.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Silicon Valley, CA.
Posts: 662
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If you're handy with a soldering iron, you can try to solder new connectors on both the battery pack and the light. These are about $7 per pair, are waterproof and won't come loose accidently. However, even with these, you'll still be left with the problem of the AA batteries popping out of the holder at inopportune times. So, it's back to rubber bands for the batteries. And if you're using rubber bands for the batteries, why not just apply that technique to the stock connectors also. Ahh...I just convinced myself out of spending $$ for the connectors.
#10
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,940
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 974 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
352 Posts
I get a fresh set of AAs for the Dinotte about once a year. It's nice having batteries that hold a full charge, instead of making due with old, half worn out batteries.
I've now broken two of the AA battery holders by dropping them on the floor with batteries in them. At least they are only $1.99 at Radio Shack.
I've now broken two of the AA battery holders by dropping them on the floor with batteries in them. At least they are only $1.99 at Radio Shack.
#11
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
libove
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
18
10-21-15 01:40 PM
Spld cyclist
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
3
11-28-11 04:10 PM
datlas
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
6
07-26-10 04:36 PM
Don in Austin
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
13
12-13-09 11:53 AM