Never mind the p*nct*re fairy ...

[XmisterIS]

Yesterday evening I went out for a ride ...

Two minutes in I noticed my speedo wasn't working. "Ah well", I thought, "Probably battery!".

Then it started to get dark ... my front light wouldn't work. "Ah well", I thought, a little concerned, "Probably battery!".

And neither would my rear light! "Ah, well!", I thought, "Probably the sodding battery!!!!".

The ride home along the main road, in the dark, with no lights was, ummm ... "interesting".

What are the chances of that happening? All three batteries, all different makes, all going dead at precisely the same moment?!!

Sods, the lot of 'em!

 

[magnatom]

Were there any bright lights in the sky which seemed to change colour in time with musical notes?

 

[jonny jeez]

Were there any bright lights in the sky which seemed to change colour in time with musical notes?

Stay away from the mash potato!!

 

[rh100]

Was it cold?

http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingsworkfaqs/f/coldbattery.htm

Just a thought

 

[fossyant]

Doh...backup lights and batteries my son !

 

[Tharg2007]

to make yourself more noticeable to other road users in absence of your lights you should have weaved side to side and shouted obscenities.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

to make yourself more noticeable to other road users in absence of your lights you should have weaved side to side and shouted obscenities.

I do that all the way through London. Seems to work wonders.

 

[XmisterIS]

Was it cold?

http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingsworkfaqs/f/coldbattery.htm

Just a thought

Nope, it was a balmy autumn evening!

Doh...backup lights and batteries my son !

Ah! Yes. Well ...

Seeing as my lights have not run out of battery for two years (don't ask how, I don't know!) I have become rather blasee about the whole spare battery idea! I used to carry them, but not bothered recently.

Anyway, the batteries last so long that I should think the spares would be dead too by the time the ones in the lights are dead!

Anyway again, this little incident has made me think - do you know how long those little glowsticks will last if they remain unbroken? Will they be good for years and years or do the chemicals degenerate over time?

I am thinking about getting one from the local camping shop as an emergency solution to double-dead batteries again - just snap it and stuff in it in the loop on the back of my saddlebag. It would at least give me a rear light for the way home!

 

[garrilla]

When you started the thread earlier I assumed you had some high-end lights with a regulator so that you get constant power, until they eventually just turn off. But now you say two years I'm assuming not? What lights do you have, and hasn't the light been fading for a while?

GLowsticks have a 2 year shelf life, but if you buy the cheap ones from ebay etc you'll be close to the end of it anyway.

 

[fossyant]

You dodo.............

FFS get some good lights - 2 years on batteries ...FFS....... el cheapo 'get me run over lights'............

Most descent lights eat batteries.....i.e. get rechargeable and spares....... and even using 2 year old part used 'normal' batteries...doh......

No sympathy my son...................

Passed a roadie with lights like that this morning - just a little twinkle from the rear and rucksack..... totally pointless...............

Flaming...oh yes..you'll get it.....460 posts and you've taken no note of the 'light' threads..................

 

[garrilla]

I change my rechargable batteries in my lights almost every otherday, alternating front with rear. Fresh charge = brightest lights.

 

[neslon]

I agree. I charge my batteries every other day which is why I can seen & be seen. Two years without changing them? You don't get out enough.

 

[summerdays]

I like to have 2 rear lights always - as you don't know if they have gone off, whereas at least you can see the front light. That way you are covered.

If you really want a standby light why not try the backupz ones (I think I got that right), I have the 6 one on my helmet (as my 3rd rear light) - I wouldn't want it to be my only light but in an emergency it would do.

 

[hackbike 666]

Rare that I have a problem and I probably need my lights more than most.

Just reminded me,I've been a way for a mont so i'd better check them,im on at 0437 tommorow.Our earliest shift I believe.

 

[XmisterIS]

I see some of you are appalled at my cheapskate lighting! Lol!

Well, I don't get out in the dark enough to need super-expensive lights, I work from home, part-time student and I use the bike to commute during the day to my placement work, to see friends and for general health and fitness.

I think I will invest in a better set of lights though; the ones I am using are little LED lights date back to my first bike and cost £10 from Halfords; I think I'll go for some of those super-bright ones that people have talked about in the lights threads (see? I *do* read those threads!)