"Huge" wrote in message
...
Anyone recommend a good rechargeable torch? My elderly B&D one has given
up
the ghost, the cheap bazillion power spotlights in the sheds have
batteries
made of lard and Maglite want hundreds of pounds(!) for their
"rechargeable
torch system".

I want one that I can leave plugged in all the time and it would be nice
if
it recharged from 12V as well as mains and came on automatically in a
power
cut.


I got a cheap UniRoss one from Argos and it has been active and plugged in
for probably 8-10 years. It starts flashing if the mains goes off (assuming
the switch is in flashing mode - the flashing stops when an active charge is
detected). The batteries probably don't last as long as they might now but
still long enough for emergencies. I think it cost £8.99 at the time. They
still do the same torch (restyled) for £9.99 and it has 12V car adapter
(which mine didn't). Given my experience, for emergency use, I would buy
this.


--
Bob Mannix
(anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not)

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Huge wrote:

Anyone recommend a good rechargeable torch? My elderly B&D one has
given up the ghost, the cheap bazillion power spotlights in the sheds
have batteries made of lard and Maglite want hundreds of pounds(!)
for their "rechargeable torch system".

I want one that I can leave plugged in all the time and it would be
nice if it recharged from 12V as well as mains and came on
automatically in a power cut.

Have you considered the wind-up variety - which you can recharge yourself
without needing a mains supply?
--
Cheers,
Set Square
______
Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is invalid.

Set Square wrote:
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Huge wrote:


Anyone recommend a good rechargeable torch? My elderly B&D one has
given up the ghost, the cheap bazillion power spotlights in the sheds
have batteries made of lard and Maglite want hundreds of pounds(!)
for their "rechargeable torch system".

I want one that I can leave plugged in all the time and it would be
nice if it recharged from 12V as well as mains and came on
automatically in a power cut.


Have you considered the wind-up variety - which you can recharge yourself
without needing a mains supply?

Can you really get those - are are you just winding me up?

On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:40:31 +0100, Richard Conway wrote:

Have you considered the wind-up variety - which you can recharge
yourself without needing a mains supply?

Can you really get those - are are you just winding me up?

I think in most of the "wind-up" or "clockwork" torches the winding
action directly operates a dynamo that recharges some NiCd batteries.

Digging about on the web shows that Tervor Bayliss and Baygen have
done a torch that uses a spring but it also has batteries (so the
light can stay on as you wind the spring back up). Not knowingly seen
these in the UK.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

Dave Liquorice wrote:

Digging about on the web shows that Tervor Bayliss and Baygen have
done a torch that uses a spring but it also has batteries (so the
light can stay on as you wind the spring back up). Not knowingly seen
these in the UK.

Been there right from the beginning.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 21:05:28 GMT, Chris J Dixon wrote:

Digging about on the web shows that Tervor Bayliss and Baygen have
done a torch that uses a spring but it also has batteries (so the
light can stay on as you wind the spring back up). Not knowingly
seen these in the UK.

Been there right from the beginning.

In the UK, as I said I've never knowingly seen a *clockwork* rather
than direct drive dynamo torch in the UK.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 12:37:56 +0100, "Set Square"
wrote:

Have you considered the wind-up variety - which you can recharge yourself
without needing a mains supply?

There is also a torch which can be shaken. It comprises a tube with a
fixed magnet at each end. In the tube is a third magnet which is free
to move. Around the tube is a coil. Shake the torch and it charges a
capacitor which in turn powers the light.

http://www.gadgets.co.uk/dual-power-...ake-torch.html

On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 11:45:25 GMT, s--p--o--n--i--x wrote:

There is also a torch which can be shaken. It comprises a tube with
a fixed magnet at each end. In the tube is a third magnet which is
free to move.

No the black things at each end of the tube are bits of rubber to stop
the thing making a racket as you shake it. Be warned that the magnet
is powerful, it'll almost stick the torch to a vertical steel surface
and it's a good 3/8" from that surface. Probably not a good idea to
have one in the same bag as a wallet/purse containing mag strip
cards...

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

Bob Mannix wrote:

"Huge" wrote in message
...

Anyone recommend a good rechargeable torch? My elderly B&D one has given
up
the ghost, the cheap bazillion power spotlights in the sheds have
batteries
made of lard and Maglite want hundreds of pounds(!) for their
"rechargeable
torch system".

I want one that I can leave plugged in all the time and it would be nice
if
it recharged from 12V as well as mains and came on automatically in a
power
cut.



I got a cheap UniRoss one from Argos and it has been active and plugged in
for probably 8-10 years. It starts flashing if the mains goes off (assuming
the switch is in flashing mode - the flashing stops when an active charge is
detected). The batteries probably don't last as long as they might now but
still long enough for emergencies. I think it cost £8.99 at the time. They
still do the same torch (restyled) for £9.99 and it has 12V car adapter
(which mine didn't). Given my experience, for emergency use, I would buy
this.


Purely a footnote. It's easy to rebattery most rechargeable torches.
The cost is minimal and the performance comes back to "as new".

Regards
Capitol

On 6 Oct 2005 09:36:05 GMT, (Huge) wrote:

Anyone recommend a good rechargeable torch?

No. Alkalines are cheap and store better. Stock up on twin AA
Maglites, triple D maglites, the 4 quid Osram fluorescent flat torches
from Lidl. Then fill the lot with Ikea's cheap alkalines.

Rechargeables are for regular daily use and overnight charging. They're
a damned pain if you're using it intermittently.