View Full Version : halcyon lamp advice?
Anyone got a proteus 3 10w hid, if so what battery's in yours? mines a lead/acid type, powersonic 12v 2.9amp, does anyone know if this is the standard battery for this lamp? it's a bright lamp, (design could be better) but its not bright for long, suspect the battery probably needs changed & just wondering if theres another 'better' battery choice for this as lead/acid's a bit dated in the technology game now. i got it secondhand, battery's 14 month old, any advice appreciated. . . . .
Anyone got a proteus 3 10w hid, if so what battery's in yours? mines a lead/acid type, powersonic 12v 2.9amp, does anyone know if this is the standard battery for this lamp? it's a bright lamp, (design could be better) but its not bright for long, suspect the battery probably needs changed & just wondering if theres another 'better' battery choice for this as lead/acid's a bit dated in the technology game now. i got it secondhand, battery's 14 month old, any advice appreciated. . . . .
Sounds like a knackered battery, all the proteus lamps have sealed lead acid units. I've got the 6/10 and get about 6.5 hours burn time so you should get at least three. The proper Halcyon battery is silly money but you can get a replacement battery from someone like Maplin for about twenty quid, you then need to solder on the connectors yourself but therefore saving a lot of money.
Once you have replaced the battery download the instructions for the Halcyon web site, it contains a section on how to keep the battery in good condition.
thanks pete, i did check maplin & the closest they had was a 2.1 or 2.2 amp yuasa which would fit but it's still a step backward from the (ancient)2.9 powersonic thats in it at the min, (well not realy since it's more than likely knackerd) but seriously 150 year old technology like lead/acid in a £400+ lamp??? NiMh & lith/ion are'nt exactly new tech & will quickly become very old tech soon as barium titanate cells eventually make their debut, so there must be a cheap & easy conversion for an updated battery??? anybody done this already, or could anyone point me in the right direction on how to swap over?
but seriously 150 year old technology like lead/acid in a £400+ lamp??? NiMh & lith/ion are'nt exactly new tech
Sort of.
There's more to it than volumetric energy density; discharge curve is quite important in these things. Lead/acid drops off quite slowly, whereas NiMH goes from on to off rather rapidly. And LiIon isn't exctly a friendly technology...
My torch uses NiMH. I wouldn't be in a huge rush to convert yours :-)
Vic.
Sort of.
There's more to it than volumetric energy density; discharge curve is quite important in these things. Lead/acid drops off quite slowly, whereas NiMH goes from on to off rather rapidly. And LiIon isn't exctly a friendly technology...
My torch uses NiMH. I wouldn't be in a huge rush to convert yours :-)
Vic.
Yep, quiet happy with mine; cheap, robust, does not give off gas if flooded, useful weight so you can remove lead from the belt, nice decay curve so less likely to leave you unexpectedly in the dark.
I think this is the replacement battery but check!
http://www.gx-security.co.uk/powersonic-rechargeable-nicad-34ah-ps1230-rechargeable-sealed-lead-acid-battery-p-504.html?manufacturers_id=45
Remember you will need to solder on the connectors which should be a five minute job
cheers vic, cheers pete, the 3.4 amp in the link you posted is too wide to fit in the can at 60mm * 67mm, the one in at min is 60mm * 34mm,i've mailed powersonic & they put me onto a possible supplier, just waiting for reply & i'll post the link for other members if it's a good price.
C Forrest
05-12-2008, 11:27
Anyone got a proteus 3 10w hid, if so what battery's in yours? mines a lead/acid type, powersonic 12v 2.9amp, does anyone know if this is the standard battery for this lamp? it's a bright lamp, (design could be better) but its not bright for long, suspect the battery probably needs changed & just wondering if theres another 'better' battery choice for this as lead/acid's a bit dated in the technology game now. i got it secondhand, battery's 14 month old, any advice appreciated. . . . .
I've got the 'older' style proteus 3 10w - my battery isn't one of the newer doodahs where if you flood the canister the battery is ok. I've too have a lead/acid powersonic 12v etc..that came with the torch from my dealer.
The brightness has never faltered in the 3 years I've had used it so it could be that you need to get a newer battery. They should be cheap and easy to pick up (although I've never had to try)
I recently looked at changing mine over and had a chat with the guys and girls down at Underwater Explorers and was basically told that I would be better off selling my pro 3 as there is a high 2nd hand demand and buying the newer pro3/10 (lead/acid battery) or the explorer 4.5/10 (NiMh battery) as the cost to change would be ridiculously high and I would barely save anything off buying one new!
cheers vic, cheers pete, the 3.4 amp in the link you posted is too wide to fit in the can at 60mm * 67mm, the one in at min is 60mm * 34mm,i've mailed powersonic & they put me onto a possible supplier, just waiting for reply & i'll post the link for other members if it's a good price.
if you don't get any luck with them then try this lot
http://www.battery-force.co.uk/
I've dealt with them in the past and they have been really helpful. I think you need a powersonic PS1229, they don't list it but if you check the specific battery and email them they will tell you if they can get it or an equivalent
got back to me straight away with this,
"Hello,
Thanks for your email regarding PS1229, we have some in stock although they are not showing on the website.
They each cost £8.27 + VAT and delivery would be via courier costing £6.80 for 48 hour service or £7.50 for next day.
If you wish to place an order please call me on 01702 258903 .
As far as i know there is no upgrade battery for the lamp.
Kind Regards
Sarah Evans
The Battery Company Ltd
email: sara@batterycompany.co.uk
Tel: 01702 258903
Fax: 01702 258984"
Sounds good to me & the postage is the same price if you order more than one so i bought 2, compare this price with the exact same battery from halcyon & you cant help feeling ripped off . . . . . !
Sounds good to me & the postage is the same price if you order more than one so i bought 2, compare this price with the exact same battery from halcyon & you cant help feeling ripped off . . . . . !
I know what you mean...
You can buy the connectors from RS components or Maplin so you can set the spare battery up so it is ready to use. It will also be easier for charging (you must charge a SLA battery regularly or they get damaged see the instruction manual for your torch http://www.halcyon.net/manuals/helios-proteus_webmanual03.pdf)
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