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Problem with Jackrabbit 2 battery pack from Dyna


I recently got a lighting kit that contained 2 jackrabbit battery packs with chargers. They work fine, but when I go to charge them, the charger seems to go from Charging to Discharging after a few hours.... I don't understand what discharging is in the first place, but when I unplug it while it's blinking, and plug it back in it goes back to "charging" mode (solid red light)

wtf is going on?


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July 01, 2008

 

Mark Feldstein
  Hip-hop on over to read your manual under the charging section. You'll probably note that somewhere it'll tell you that the charging light remains on while it's plugged into a power source. Then, after you disconnect, even briefly and without firing, it'll signal it's charging again albeit briefly to "cap off" the charge like topping off a gas tank. In a lot of pack systems, that's normal.

Depending on the type of power cell, NiCad vs. say Lithium Metal Hydride rechargable cells, doing that kind of short-term charging may damage the cell or cause it to develop a "memory".
Others may have a quick charge mode that allow you to get running again after say 10 minutes plugged into an AC power source, but that may require charging in a different way. Depends on the manufacturer.

Most powerpacks will give you specific instructions whether or not to wait until they're fully discharged before recharging them, partially discharged or whether they can be recharged more often. If your instructions omit that info, contact the manufacturer to ensure you;re not harming the power cells affecting long-term use.

Some power packs, btw, have the equivalent of a fuel gauge, like a Quantum Turbo that tells you how much of a charge you've got left and when it's time to recharge it, either slowly or on a quick charge mode.

Take it light.
M.



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July 01, 2008

 

no
  i didn't get an instruction manual with it. :-/

do you happen to know anywhere where i'd be able to find it? i've tried online.


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July 01, 2008

 

Mark Feldstein
  Here's a link to some pages at a site that you may find quite useful, discussing the Jack Rabbit power supplies and charging systems.

http://www.prophotohome.com/forum/lighting-equipment-technique/59627-dynalight-jackrabbit-batteries-gripes-query.html

Here's another:
Dynalite.com
Dyna-Lite, Inc.
1050 Commerce Avenue
Union, New Jersey 07083

Corporate: 908-687-8800
Fax: 908-686-6682
Sales: 800-722-6638
Service & Repairs: 908-688-3210

If you can't find a PDF manual for your system on their site, call their service dept. If one exists, I'm sure they'll get it for you. How much, I dunno.
Take it light.
M.


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July 02, 2008

 
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