RETRO XP - FAQ's

WHAT IS THE INPUT VOLTAGE RANGE? - 1.0 to 6.0VDC maximum. If you are using a 4 Cell Alkaline / 5 Cell NiCAD-NiMH / 6V sealed lead acid battery, you need to use a dropper diode (type 1N5401 is suitable) on the positive input to extend the operation to 7.2V.

WHAT STANDARD BATTERY PACKS WILL IT WORK WITH? - FX2, FX3, FX5, Li-Ion FX ,and of course the old faithful OLDHAM. With the FX2 battery pack you will only get full output power when the cells are new, if they are very old then you can approximately expect a 10-15% power reduction in Modes 2, 3, and 4.

WHAT BATTERY COMBINATIONS CAN YOU USE? - Alkaline: 1 to 4 cells or 4.5V flat pack, NiCAD / NiMH: 1 to 5 cells, Lead Acid: 2 - 6V, Single Cell Li-ION 3.7V.

WHAT IS THE BEST BATTERY COMINATION TO USE? - The Retro XP will work from many differenct types of battery packs, but for the best efficiency use 3 / 4 Cell NiMH or 3.7V Li-Ion battery packs.

ON THE OLDHAM / CEAG, CAN I STILL CHARGE VIA THE HEAD SET? - Yes, there are no modifications made to the connections for charging.

DO I HAVE TO MAKE ANY PERMANENT MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAP LAMP? - No, the unit is a seamless retro fit, if required you can revert to the original configuration, just make sure you keep the parts removed. It is good practice to keep the original parts removed as part of your underground backup lighting gear.IS IT REGULATED? - Yes, you will get full power performance from 2.4 to 6.0V input.

WHAT LED's DOES IT USE? - 2 x 1W Cree XP-G-R5's at 139 lumens each. Total maximum output 325 lumens.

WHAT IS THE SPREAD OF LIGHT? - There are a number of options. You can have 2 x 11° spots, or spot and a 13°, 30° or 40° deffuser. Two spots give the best throw of light, but if you want more light at your feet then a spot and a 30 or 40° deffuser will give you that. For a similar effect to the original Retro2, use a spot and a 13° deffuser. Bear in mind that you still get a good spot effect even when using the wider angle deffusers. See Beam Shots for a comparison.

HOW LONG WILL IT RUN FOR? - Due to the switch mode power supply every last drop of power can be used in your battery pack, see Run Times for estimated times.

HOW DOES IT KEEP COOL? - There is a heatsink on the back of the unit.

DOES IT HAVE A TEMPERATURE MONITOR? - Yes, if the unit gets too hot then the power will reduce with an audio warning, once cooled down it will revert to its original setting. The unit cannot be damaged in this way.

DOES IT HAVE ANY ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATION LIMITS? - When used in normal UK mines and caves the ambient temperature is sufficiently low to keep the unit cool over all power modes, in some cases if running at maximum power and used in confined places or in warmer underground conditions the unit will reduce power. If used on the surface in warm weather it will eventually reduce power and go into thermal management mode.

WHY DOES IT OVERHEAT? - The unit can overheat in some conditions because there is limited space inside the cap lamp and so this reflects on the size of the heatsink used and hence the heat that can be dissipated. Caplamp cases where designed in the days when high power LED's did not exist and so this was not a factor to consider. This is the reason that the unit has a temperature monitor.

DOES IT HAVE A LOW BATTERY INDICATOR? - Yes, there is a battery selector jumper link, which allows you to select the following cell types: 2, 3, 4 or 5 cell NiCAD / NiMH, 3.7V Li-Ion, and 4.1V Oldham. The Retro XP can then determine a very accurate low battery warning, giving you time to reduce your power and prolonging the run time without damaging your batteries by over discharge.

IS IT WATERPROOF? - The unit is sprayed with a military silicon conformal coating which will protect it from moisture. It is as waterproof as the caplamp you put it in.

WHAT IS THE LIGHT OUTPUT LIKE? - The light is more like daylight and not yellow as you get with a filament bulb. The wider beam illuminates more of an area in your field of view while still maintaining a reasonable beam.

WHAT IS A GOOD LIGHT LEVEL TO USE? - Everyone has their own preference and it is also dependant on what battery pack you have and how long the trip is. 1.1W mode provides an excellent all round light level - more than enough infact, for long multi-day trips you can easily get away with 0.33W mode. If you like light then use the 2.4W mode.

DOES IT INTERFERE WITH RADIO SYSTEMS? - No, there is no interference with radio systems and it does not interfere with the 'hey phone'.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO OTHER LIGHTS? - For an independant light comparison (on the older Retro2) see: Roy Fellows Retro2 Review.