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Help with powering my Cygolite zForce HID

1K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  tazambo 
#1 ·
Hi Guys,

Some help is needed.

I own a (now discontinued) Cygolite zForce HID.
I went the cheap option a few years ago and bought the NiCd version.

http://www.cygolite.com/2-Products/1-zForceNiMH.htm

This was the same as the NiMh version but with a 3.0Ah 12volt NiCd water bottle battery (big and heavy and short runtime).

Anyway the question is:
Can I run the head unit (with ballast) from an 11.1v Li-ion battery pack I'd like to build ?

Customer service at Cygolite informs me that the NiCd battery is a 10 x 1.2v unit and that they don't recommend anything except genuine Cygolite parts.

I'm guessing when fully charged the NiCd battery is about 13.5v.
The 3 x 3.7v Li-ion would only be 12.6v hot off the charger.

I've been waiting weeks to hear from their tech guy, who is out of the office.

Any ideas ?

Regards
Dave
 
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#2 ·
tazambo said:
Hi Guys,

Some help is needed.

I own a (now discontinued) Cygolite zForce HID.
I went the cheap option a few years ago and bought the NiCd version.

http://www.cygolite.com/2-Products/1-zForceNiMH.htm

This was the same as the NiMh version but with a 3.0Ah 12volt NiCd water bottle battery (big and heavy and short runtime).

Anyway the question is:
Can I run the head unit (with ballast) from an 11.1v Li-ion battery pack I'd like to build ?

Customer service at Cygolite informs me that the NiCd battery is a 10 x 1.2v unit and that they don't recommend anything except genuine Cygolite parts.

I'm guessing when fully charged the NiCd battery is about 13.5v.
The 3 x 3.7v Li-ion would only be 12.6v hot off the charger.

I've been waiting weeks to hear from their tech guy, who is out of the office.

Any ideas ?

Regards
Dave
Anyway the question is:
Can I run the head unit (with ballast) from an 11.1v Li-ion battery pack I'd like to build ?


I wouldn't try it. I'm not anything close to an HID expert, but do have experience with batteries. NiCd batteries and NiMh batteries run real close to 1.2v per cell for almost all of their runtime, then take a dive in a hurry. Underpowering a light usually makes the light look dim and more yellow. Seems to me that 11.1v would make it run like it was getting close to shutting off with your original battery.

At any rate, I wouldn't spend the money when other more appropriate solutions exist. It looks like there are also some L-ion solutions available that will supply the correct voltage:

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1069

Customer service at Cygolite informs me that the NiCd battery is a 10 x 1.2v unit and that they don't recommend anything except genuine Cygolite parts.

Of course they don't...... :rolleyes: The truth is that you can either make a nimh battery yourself, or have one made, that will work better than the stock one ever did at only 3000mah (3.0ah).

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=230

Regards,
Jeff
 
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