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– RETRO XP - FAQ's
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WHAT IS THE INPUT VOLTAGE RANGE? - 1.0 to 6.0VDC
maximum. If you are using a 4 Cell Alkaline / 5 Cell NiCAD-NiMH / 6V sealed
lead acid battery, you need to use a dropper diode (type 1N5401 is suitable) on
the positive input to extend the operation to 7.2V.
WHAT STANDARD BATTERY PACKS WILL IT WORK WITH? -
FX2, FX3, FX5, Li-Ion FX ,and of course the old faithful OLDHAM. With the FX2
battery pack you will only get full output power when the cells are new, if
they are very old then you can approximately expect a 10-15% power reduction in
Modes 2, 3, and 4.
WHAT BATTERY
COMBINATIONS CAN YOU USE? - Alkaline: 1 to 4 cells or 4.5V flat pack,
NiCAD / NiMH: 1 to 5 cells, Lead Acid: 2 - 6V, Single Cell Li-ION
3.7V.
WHAT IS THE BEST BATTERY COMINATION
TO USE? - The Retro XP will work from many differenct types of
battery packs, but for the best efficiency use 3 / 4 Cell NiMH or 3.7V Li-Ion
battery packs.
ON THE OLDHAM / CEAG,
CAN I STILL CHARGE VIA THE HEAD SET? - Yes, there are no
modifications made to the connections for charging.
DO I HAVE TO MAKE ANY PERMANENT MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAP
LAMP? - No, the unit is a seamless retro fit, if required you can
revert to the original configuaration, just make sure you keep the parts
removed. It is good practice to keep the original parts removed as part of your
underground backup lighting gear.
IS IT
REGULATED? - Yes, you will get full power performance from 2.4 to
6.0V input.
WHAT LED's DOES IT
USE? - 2 x 1W Cree XP-G-R5's at 139 lumens each. Total maximum output
325 lumens.
WHAT IS THE SPREAD OF
LIGHT? - There are a number of options. You can have 2 x 11°
spots, or spot and a 13°, 30° or 40° deffuser. Two spots give the
best throw of light, but if you want more light at your feet then a spot and a
30 or 40° deffuser will give you that. For a similar effect to the original
Retro2, use a spot and a 13° deffuser. Bear in mind that you still get a
good spot effect even when using the wider angle deffusers.
HOW LONG WILL IT RUN FOR? - Due to the switch mode
power supply every last drop of power can be used in your battery pack, see
Run Times for estimated
times.
HOW DOES IT KEEP COOL? -
There is a heatsink on the back of the unit.
DOES IT HAVE A TEMPERATURE MONITOR? - Yes, if the
unit gets too hot then the power will reduce with an audio warning, once cooled
down it will revert to its original setting. The unit cannot be damaged in this
way.
DOES IT HAVE ANY ENVIRONMENTAL
OPERATION LIMITS? - When used in normal UK mines and caves the
ambient temperature is sufficiently low to keep the unit cool over all power
modes, in some cases if running at maximum power and used in confined places or
in warmer underground conditions the unit will reduce power. If used on the
surface in warm weather it will eventually reduce power and go into thermal
management mode.
WHY DOES IT
OVERHEAT? - The unit can overheat in some conditions because there is
limited space inside the cap lamp and so this reflects on the size of the
heatsink used and hence the heat that can be dissipated. Caplamp cases where
designed in the days when high power LED's did not exist and so this was not a
factor to consider. This is the reason that the unit has a temperature
monitor.
DOES IT HAVE A LOW BATTERY
INDICATOR? - Yes, there is a battery selector jumper link, which
allows you to select the following cell types: 2, 3, 4 or 5 cell NiCAD / NiMH,
3.7V Li-Ion, and 4.1V Oldham. The Retro XP can then determine a very accurate
low battery warning, giving you time to reduce your power and prolonging the
run time without damaging your batteries by over discharge.
IS IT WATERPROOF? The unit is sprayed with a
military silicon conformal coating which will protect it from moisture. It is
as waterproof as the caplamp you put it in.
WHAT IS THE LIGHT OUTPUT LIKE? - The light is more
like daylight and not yellow as you get with a filament bulb. The wider beam
illuminates more of an area in your field of view while still maintaining a
reasonable beam.
WHAT IS A GOOD LIGHT LEVEL
TO USE? - Everyone has their own preference and it is also dependant
on what battery pack you have and how long the trip is. 1.1W mode provides an
excellent all round light level - more than enough infact, for long multi-day
trips you can easily get away with 0.33W mode. If you like light then use the
2.4W mode.
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