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Re: [OM] A "Fang" . . . Sort Of

Subject: Re: [OM] A "Fang" . . . Sort Of
From: "John A. Lind" <jlind@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 03 Sep 2003 01:53:51 -0500
Thanks Tim . . . (et alia with postings about the flashing slab lamp).

I believe the previous owner not only didn't know how to operate the flash, he didn't know how to care for the dryfit block. He's also its 2nd owner. It was near discharge when I got it and it's been deep-cycled down to an "erratic" power lamp a couple times now. Long recycle time with the lamps on the back of the flash handle are a warning of low power just before the battery slab "on" lamp goes erratic. Capacity has improved each charging cycle thus far and several more deep discharge cycles over the next week will tell how much capacity can be brought back to it. Even if I have to replace the dryfit block (about $60) it's still a great deal.

Thanks,
-- John

At 10:20 AM 9/2/03, Tim Hughes wrote:
The Led is a self flashing LED that just indicates the low voltage power is on. It flashes more erratically if the cell voltage drops a lot under load at end of discharge. I have had good look at the electronics of these units, so am very familiar with them. The age of the cell is not so important as whether it has been left discharged for extended periods. The cells can be bought back a bit by putting the cells through a number of full charge-discharge cycles **provided they are only modestly sulphated**. But it is rough on the flash to use it as a load by flashing. Use a power resistor and discharge to ~1.8V/cell (5~5.4V) at about 1A (6 Ohm). It is much better for the batteries to leave them on float charge for an extended period (>18hrs)rather than disconnect immediately the charging light goes off, otherwise you may "cycle down" the cells. The batteries can be safely left on float charge for an extended period, it is a voltage regulated design at a safe float level (2.3V/cell). If you don't want to use a resistor to discharge the cells, just leave the flash on rather than trigger it repeatedly, as it has a fairly high standby current
drain and this is less stressful than flashing at full power.

Regards,
Tim Hughes


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