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#1
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Lightspeed Battery Box Warning
Sydney Hoeltzli wrote:
Lightspeed is sending replacement UPS red. But. This is a known (though infrequent) problem. Caveat Lightspeed User; don't leave your **** battery box lying on anything expensive or any plastic part of the plane it would be a PITA to replace. 'Cuz that puppy was Hot Hot Hot. Is this just a known problem with the 30 or with other Lightspeed ANR models as well? -- David Rind |
#2
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Lightspeed seems to know everything about all of their problems and
they all seem infrequent. Just too many infrequent problems for me. On Mon, 07 Jul 2003 21:45:22 GMT, Sydney Hoeltzli wrote: Just got back from our annual jaunt to NW MA. Might write more later (have I mentioned recently how much I abhore flying or driving through the state of Ohio, no offense intended to anyone living there) Anyway, landing at a fuel stop on the return trip, husband said batteries were low in my new Lightspeed 30 3G (pilot gets to use it). Went in the FBO, lunch, wx, came out to preflight while husband filed (VFR in 1800 ft ceilings, wanted me to fly it, such a nice guy). Replaced batteries in Lightspeed 30 3G. Went back into FBO to change 3 yr olds wet undies for pullup, get the glad tidings on who gets to fly in what from DH. Thanks. I think. What does Louisville Approach have against small airplanes bopping around in 6 miles vis at 2000 MSL? You'd think I was scud running or something. Anyway, I digress. 10 minutes later opened plane to hop in, stench of burning plastic. Sniffer traced to 30-3G battery box, which had been left lying across the yoke. Batteries were almost too hot to touch. Hot enough to have melted the plastic of the battery box. Holy S***. Lightspeed is sending replacement UPS red. But. This is a known (though infrequent) problem. Caveat Lightspeed User; don't leave your **** battery box lying on anything expensive or any plastic part of the plane it would be a PITA to replace. 'Cuz that puppy was Hot Hot Hot. Love the Lightspeed comfort; like the Lightspeed NR; Lightspeed QC needs some d*** ketchup. Maybe they oughtta try to hire someone away from Dave Clark (alternatively maybe someone at Dave Clamp ought to hire an ergonomics guy away from Lightspeed). Hola! Sydney |
#3
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Justin Case wrote: Lightspeed seems to know everything about all of their problems and they all seem infrequent. Just too many infrequent problems for me. I take your point. As a matter of curiousity, would you prefer that to hearing "Never heard of that problem before." That's what I get out of Maule Air. I would never accuse them of lying, but I can think it. George Patterson The optimist feels that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist is afraid that he's correct. James Branch Cavel |
#4
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LS owners seem to fall into two groups... Those who have never had any
problem over a number of years of continuous use, and those who seem to lurch from crises to crises... Strange... Denny "Justin Case" wrote in message ... Lightspeed seems to know everything about all of their problems and they all seem infrequent. Just too many infrequent problems for me. |
#5
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Dennis O'Connor wrote:
LS owners seem to fall into two groups... Those who have never had any problem over a number of years of continuous use, and those who seem to lurch from crises to crises... Strange... Well, I guess I must be the exception which "proves" your rule, since in general we have been very pleased with our Lightspeeds and while we have had a previous problem with my 20Ks, I certainly wouldn't describe it as a 'crisis'. Nor would I personally describe 2 problems in 5 yrs ownership of 3 different headsets as "lurching from crisis to crisis". What seems strange to me is your perception, actually, but that wouldn't be the first time. Cheers, Sydney |
#6
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What seems strange to me is your perception, actually, but that
wouldn't be the first time. I believe Denny is perceiving this: The only reason many Lightspeed owners have NOT had repeated problems with broken wires at the plug is because they specifically lay the battery box on the floor, or tuck it in a side pocket. This removes the weight of the battery box from the inadequately designed wire and plug assembly, and keeps the wires from breaking. NOW it has come to light that laying the battery box on the floor (or tucking it in a pocket) can result in a conflagration of your aircraft. This is, indeed, a "crisis" of quality control, in my opinion. And, as I have repeatedly stated in the past, is truly a shame, as we absolutely, positively LOVE our Lightspeed headsets. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" "Sydney Hoeltzli" wrote in message ... Dennis O'Connor wrote: LS owners seem to fall into two groups... Those who have never had any problem over a number of years of continuous use, and those who seem to lurch from crises to crises... Strange... Well, I guess I must be the exception which "proves" your rule, since in general we have been very pleased with our Lightspeeds and while we have had a previous problem with my 20Ks, I certainly wouldn't describe it as a 'crisis'. Nor would I personally describe 2 problems in 5 yrs ownership of 3 different headsets as "lurching from crisis to crisis". Cheers, Sydney |
#7
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Jay Honeck wrote:
Actually, Jay, if you reread Denny's post carefully, I don't think this is what he's seeing or refering to as "some owners lurch from crisis to crisis" but it's not worth addressing further. The only reason many Lightspeed owners have NOT had repeated problems with broken wires at the plug is because they specifically lay the battery box on the floor, or tuck it in a side pocket. This removes the weight of the battery box from the inadequately designed wire and plug assembly, and keeps the wires from breaking. NOW it has come to light that laying the battery box on the floor (or tucking it in a pocket) can result in a conflagration of your aircraft. Actually I think that's overstating the possible outcomes considerably. What happens is this. The battery box shorts. The batteries get hot. The battery box gets hot. The battery box begins to melt. The batteries lose contact w/ the deformed battery box, the short circuit is broken, and the heating stops. The worst case is if the battery box happens to get hot enough to melt low-temperature plastic trim, which can be expensive and costly to replace. The fabrics used in the interior of the aircraft had durned well better withstand a much higher temperature without igniting, or someone installed the wrong stuff. Likewise, it should not get hot enough to ignite paper. I discussed this in detail with the Lightspeed engineer. DH, who has extensive training in fire hazard prevention, concurs. Of course, there can always be some combination of factors which lead to a different result. So I wouldn't worry that your Lightspeed battery box is likely to cause conflagration of your aircraft. However, I would make sure you don't place it somewhere which might melt and cost you time and $$. For example, we've been securing our 20K and 25XL battery boxes with velcro (sewn to the plane interior, glued to the battery box). This is gonna stop, because velcro melts at rather low temperature and melted velcro would trash my interior panels. A fabric pocket should actually be a good place, provided the fabric meets standard aircraft flammability tests. Cheers, Sydney This is, indeed, a "crisis" of quality control, in my opinion. And, as I have repeatedly stated in the past, is truly a shame, as we absolutely, positively LOVE our Lightspeed headsets. |
#8
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On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 15:04:24 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote: I believe Denny is perceiving this: The only reason many Lightspeed owners have NOT had repeated problems with broken wires at the plug is because they specifically lay the battery box on the floor, or tuck it in a side pocket. This removes the weight of the battery box from the inadequately designed wire and plug assembly, and keeps the wires from breaking. That can't be true in my case, at least. My battery box is plugged into the middle of the panel (left of the turn coordinator) and the battery box hangs down from there. The box's weight causes the cord to bend 90 degrees right after it comes out of the plug. That has got to be about as high stress as you can get on the cord. Why I have had no problems is a mystery to me. The only thing I can thing of is that I leave the headset in the plane most of the time rather than plugging it in and removing it again. That probably reduces the strain on the cord. --Ron |
#9
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Sydney Hoeltzli wrote in news:3F0AC7D5.9020908
@swbell.net: Nor would I personally describe 2 problems in 5 yrs ownership of 3 different headsets as "lurching from crisis to crisis". Sydney, First off, thanks for the post. I would be interested in knowing what actually shorted out (sounds like a spring contact or some such, most likely, in the battery box). You are right that, compared to having, oh say, a wing spar break, it's hardly a "crisis." OTOH, I've got two Peltor's and a Dave Clark ANR - average life 10 years - and never had a problem (other that physically wearing out the earpads) with any of them. So you can see that, relative to the "crowd," you are well to one side of the curve. [Not that we wouldn't expect you to stand out in a crowd regardless. G] ----------------------------------------------- James M. Knox TriSoft ph 512-385-0316 1109-A Shady Lane fax 512-366-4331 Austin, Tx 78721 ----------------------------------------------- |
#10
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James M. Knox wrote:
First off, thanks for the post. I would be interested in knowing what actually shorted out (sounds like a spring contact or some such, most likely, in the battery box). I think that's an excellent educated guess. The point of maximum deformation was just to the side of a spring contact. There appeared to be some material covering the bottom of the box which might have been installed off-center, leaving an area where a short could occur, but I'm not sure about this. You are right that, compared to having, oh say, a wing spar break, it's hardly a "crisis." OTOH, I've got two Peltor's and a Dave Clark ANR - average life 10 years - and never had a problem (other that physically wearing out the earpads) with any of them. So you can see that, relative to the "crowd," you are well to one side of the curve. Well, Denny was specifically referring to different groups of *Lightspeed* owners, so I don't think your perception applies to his post. He posits two different populations of *Lightspeed* owners, those whose headsets are trouble free and those who "lurch from crisis to crisis". However, you get no argument from me: I love my Lightspeeds because they are comfortable comfortable comfortable whereas after about an hour I want to throw DC's out the window. But on the "longevity" and "durability" front, I must admit they do not measure up. Their customer service and support is *excellent* -- but it has to be. I would much prefer far less need for said good support. By the way, after calling Lightspeed Customer service yesterday about 4:30 central time, I had a new headset in hand (!!!!) by 9:30 central time. [Not that we wouldn't expect you to stand out in a crowd regardless. G] Why thank you! Cheers, Sydney |
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