These flashlights use "supercapacitors" (small, multi-farad capacitors).
These capacitors can lose polarization if left discharged for long periods
of time. They are fully restored after a few charge/discharge cycles.
I was looking into these for a product that operates off of burst of charge
that is stored on capacitors. The product can sit inactive for years, but
then needs to operate the first time when "powered up". Aluminum
electrolytic capacitors were rejected due to their deterioration with no
voltage across them. I had hoped that super capacitors might not have a
similar problem. The mechanism is different, and supercapacitors are easily
restored, but they still have the problem.
Don Borowski
Schweitzer Engineering Labs
"Pettit, Ghery"
<ghery.pettit@int
el.com> To
Sent by: <[email protected]>, "Ken Javor"
owner-emc-pstc@LI <[email protected]>
STSERV.IEEE.ORG cc
<[email protected]>
Subject
05/19/2005 08:05 RE: battery free flashlight for
AM pilots...
Sounds like if you don't use it for a while it become just another
flashlight as defined in the aviation world -
Flashlight. A metal or plastic tube used for storing dead batteries.
;-)
Ghery Pettit
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Doug Smith
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 10:27 PM
To: Ken Javor
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: battery free flashlight for pilots...
Hi Ken and the group,
I have a flashlight like this. It seems like you have to "charge" it
every now and then by shaking it. If you let go for a year or so
without shaking, it does not work, just brief pulses of light as the
magnet passes through the coil......the storage capacitor/battery goes
"bad." At that point, if you shake it for about 5 minutes vigorously,
it starts working again and can be used (once your eyes can focus
again and the room stays put).
I suspect it would be a surprise to find it does not work just when
you need it. I now shake it for a few seconds every day or two. It
holds most of the charge from day to day, but it does seem to need
this maintanance. I am not sure if all of them need this, but mine does.
When charged up, the light is as bright or brighter than a 2 C
flashlight. By the way, my unit makes a lot of noise while being
shaken as the magnet has a lot of play as it slides back and forth.
You can't use it in a room if you expect another person (wife, for
example) to stay asleep while you are shaking it.
Doug
Ken Javor wrote:
> RTCA/DO-160 (Environmental Conditions or Aircraft) has a requirement
to
> measure the "compass-safe distance." That would seem to be the main
issue.
> As far as I know, RTCA/DO-160 applies equally to commercial transport
and
> general aviation aircraft.
>
>
>>From: "George Stults" <[email protected]>
>>Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 10:42:31 -0700
>>To: <[email protected]>
>>Subject: battery free flashlight for pilots...
>>
>>Hi Folks,
>>
>>I have a safety/regulatory question, but I need to explain a bit.
>>
>>I recently noticed a "Battery-free Flashlight" offered for sale in a
>>magazine that sells various products for pilots. You can see the
>>product by going to http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/ and searching on
>>"3173A".
>>
>>The add explains that you have to shake the flashlight for 15 to 30
>>seconds and you will get 10 minutes of light. (Note: this is an LED
>>flashlight).
>>
>>The charging mechanism is easy to see because the flashlight body is
>>clear. There is a coil half way along the handle, and a magnetic ball
>>(mostly hidden behind the coil).
>>
>>The magnetic ball is the issue I see as important.
>>
>>My question is, are there any applicable safety standards what would
>>prevent the use of this device in an aircraft cockpit, and would there
>>be any difference between commercial and private aircraft.
>>
>>Best,
>>
>>George Stults
>>
>>
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--
___ _ Doug Smith
\ / ) P.O. Box 1457
========= Los Gatos, CA 95031-1457
_ / \ / \ _ TEL/FAX: 408-356-4186/358-3799
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