Remote Living > Lighting
Coleman LED lantern - my next victim... ;)
RandomJoe:
I had some "reward points" on the credit card that needed to be redeemed so searched through the available items for lighting kit. Most of the stuff they offer is useless to me, but they usually have some nice camping lanterns or other such items. This time I wound up with a few Coleman LED lights, including this item:
Coleman Quad LED Lantern - uses 8 D-cells, all four panels switch on/off at the same time, VERY bright! Supposed to run 75 hours on a set of batteries. Each of the four LED panels also contains 3 AAA NiMH cells, charged from the D cells. You can detach each panel and use it independently for about 2.5 hrs. Nice idea, though perhaps rather overkill for my needs...
I've opened it up as best I could, and found it is actually a 6V unit - the D cells are wired in two banks of four. I can remove either half and the whole unit still works. Everything wires to a PCB in the top of the unit, under the on/off switch, but that end is apparently sonically-welded. Looks like the LED panels are also welded shut.
Which brings me to one question I have, anyone know of a better way to try to break sonic welds? Since it's effectively melting the plastic together I'm assuming not but thought I'd ask. My usual method - prying with a thin screwdriver - is only going to make a mess of the seam...
I got two, so worst case I can sacrifice one and still have the other intact...! ;D
I'm curious what all the circuit inside does, whether they really charge the NiMHs intelligently or are doing it dumb/simple, whether they are regulating current to the LEDs or just depending on battery voltage, so on... Tempted to try some LiFePO4 cells, but that may push the voltage a bit too high depending what's in their circuit...
madlabs:
--- Quote from: RandomJoe on June 02, 2013, 11:22:52 AM ---
Which brings me to one question I have, anyone know of a better way to try to break sonic welds? Since it's effectively melting the plastic together I'm assuming not but thought I'd ask. My usual method - prying with a thin screwdriver - is only going to make a mess of the seam...
--- End quote ---
A combination of a hacksaw blade and a very sharp knife usually works for me.
Jonathan
hiker:
heat up a old thin blade knife-red hot..cuts right throu plastic like butter..
make sure your in a well ventalated area..
Mary B:
Dremel with a mini saw blade.
Bruce S:
Cheap Dremel knockoff from Harbor Freight with the cutting wheel was great!
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