Magicshine battery issue

[lufbramatt]

My main bike light won't turn on- have a feeling it's down to the battery as the light flashes for a second when I first plug the battery in.

It has the upgraded battery pack with a little voltage display on the top, its in an extruded aluminium case with plastic end caps with O-rings, so appears wuite well sealed to the elements. charged it up last night and it was showing 8.3 volts as normal.

After I plug it in the voltage display wont light up at all and the light wont turn on. Just put a multimeter on the plug at work at it's only putting out 1.13v.

The battery is about 16 months old so no warranty on it. does it sound like it's time for a new pack? Anything I can do to salvage this one? Any recommendations for new packs?

[TwistingMyMelon]

Has it been left in the cold for long?

[lufbramatt]

It does get left on the bike in the garage to be honest apart from when it needs charging. Was fine on the ride home on Friday, didn't work Monday morning. It wasn't particularly cold over the weekend.

Found these guys, seem to be recommended on various MTB forums:

http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-batter...

Might get in touch with them.

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 17th February 10:47

[TwistingMyMelon]

Loads of my kit that has batteries has started dieing the last couple of months that has been left out in the cold, my bullet proof ipod has bitten the dust!

[lufbramatt]

The annoying thing is after Wednesday when my monthly train ticket runs out I'm going to be driving to work rather than train+biking, so only needed the light to work for a couple more days! Rising train process, cheaper petrol and a pending office move means it won't be practical to ride to work any more

[thetrash]

My magicshine light MJ872 light is three years old and still going strong, I've never left it outside though.

[Bobley]

Occasionally the battery protection circuit inside the battery pack can shear its connections. There are 3 terminals, +ve / -ve and a mid point. I managed to solder one of my older batteries back together. If you need a new battery then DX sell them dirt cheap. 4400mAh for £7, 6600 for £11...

http://www.dx.com/p/8-4v-6600mah-rechargeable-1865...

[lufbramatt]

Tried sticking the battery back on charge this morning which seemed to "wake it up" again, with 8.3volts showing on the meter. It then did the same flash then dead thing when I plugged it in. I did notice a faint electrical smell. I'm wondering if there's a short in the power cable which is tripping the protection circuit in the battery. Need to investigate further later on.