Tesco Torch

[The Eighth Man]

Used my Tesco torch for the first time this morning, the beam is great but the batteries rattled that badly I had to take it off. Has anybody else had this problem?

 

[jimboalee]

Which Tesco torch?

To cure rattly batteries, use a piece of kitchen towel between batteries and Torch internal diameter.

To remove batteries, take off rear end of torch, tip bike up on rear wheel and bounce the bike until the batteries slide out into your hand.

So simple, my twelve year old son thought of this in less than 30 seconds when I first fitted the Tesco 3W 2 x AA torch.

 

[silverbow]

Are you using normal alkaline batteries? If so try switching the rechargeable batteries, they are a little wider. I use rechargeable batteries in my Tesco torch and have no rattles.

 

[The Jogger]

I use duracell, no problems with rattle and great light on dark country roads!

 

[Lell]

Mine rattled a bit, so I but a couple of small elastic bands round the batteries, which sorted it.

 

[sunnyjim]

BTW I noticed in Tesco at the weekend that the AA size torch now claims to be 1W - being sold for same price as the 3W was.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

BTW I noticed in Tesco at the weekend that the AA size torch now claims to be 1W - being sold for same price as the 3W was.

Yeah, I saw those in our "local" Tesco Extra last week. I bought one, thinking to be ready for when I get to walk to work sometimes in the Winter and going on the idea that 1W would be fine for walking through the woods: when walking, I only need to be able to see dog t**ds well enough to avoid them!!

Having got it home, it seems identical to the alleged 3W one I bought last year and I can't tell the difference in light output ..

 

[downfader]

Mine rattles but havent used it on the bike yet. Havent got anything sorted to secure it.

You could use some string and make a little holder that stops the rattle and the string will allow you to pull the batteries out after. I was wondering if a battery pack and adapter could be made too

 

[The Eighth Man]

I have put some paper down one side for now, but may try some rechargeables.

 

[The Eighth Man]

Problem fixed I have found some thin aluminium and cut it to fit down the side of the batteries. Seems to stop the rattle but still allows the batteries to slide in and out, it will be tested in the morning!

 

[MajorMantra]

BTW I noticed in Tesco at the weekend that the AA size torch now claims to be 1W - being sold for same price as the 3W was.

Could it be because they no longer have the Cree LED? I believe (though I could be wrong) that they haven't done the Cree version for a while and the newer one is a bit less powerful. I'd be surprised if it were a third the power though.

Matthew

 

[Plax]

I must say that I have just got round to getting a fishlock for my torch. Marvellous little things. I got 2 from ebay. So I got another AAA 3W torch from Tesco. The lens looked different on the new one it's clearer. I'm still convinced the old AAA 3w torch "looks" brighter though.

Anyways, used the torch the other night and must say it is really good, although it would be nice to have a wider beam (hey ho can't have everything). 1 on either side of the handlebars might work better I suppose. Did notice that the cars dipped their main bean sooner with it too.

 

[J4CKO]

I am on my third of these, bought two and the first one had the button fail so I took it back and they exchanged it, now the second one has the same problem so that will be going back.

Thinking about it, the replacement did have a clearer lens, the other was a milky colour, seems ok though.

 

[sunnyjim]

Could it be because they no longer have the Cree LED? I believe (though I could be wrong) that they haven't done the Cree version for a while and the newer one is a bit less powerful. I'd be surprised if it were a third the power though.

Matthew

The 3W one I bought a couple of months ago had the '500% brighter than a normal lamp' sticker, rather than 'Cree' claim. It drew about 800mA from the 3V batteries, so nearly 3W going in anyway. The '3W' C battery ones bought at the same time are much brighter, drawing a bit over 900mA and appear to use these: http://www.dotlight.de/products/en/...l-Z-LED-LEDs/Seoul-Z-LED-P4-white-Rank-U.html. The C battery version is also better made- LED on well fitting heatsink etc. Body's made of cheese, 'though.

 

[The Eighth Man]

Update: used it on the way home last night, I had cured the battery rattle but the on/off switched rattled like mad. Much too annoying for me, so I went out and bought a Cateye HL EL 320. The new light seems to light the road just as well as the torch but is a lot better for a bike light.