chriscambo25
16 years ago
Hello, i stumbled across a handful of unused Oldham mining caplamps and battery packs on ebay.
they are type G Oldham headsets with CHLORIDE MF? batterys

Theyre pretty low priced and im sure they are from a forum member on here , however, theres no information regarding charging these?
I have absolutely no experience at all with "sophisticated" mining lamps so im asking:

does anyone know what model/type charger would be required and charge times ,and any other ancillary items needed to go with it?

ive looked on the enersys and chloride websites and I cant find info relating to the MF batteries at all ?
Mr Mike
16 years ago
I'm pretty sure any oldham for lead acid batteries will charge them (can anyone else confirm?).

I am a bit concerned about the fact they have never been charged, ask when they where manufactured. Chances are that these may be a fair few years old, even if 'brand new', and that will not have done the batteries any favors. They can suffer from sulphidisation (deposits on the lead plates) that will reduce the run time or make it not usable for a decent time.

Be careful about buying them, unless the seller can give more info.

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk
Knocker
16 years ago
I don't think they are that old, as they are the Blue Batteries
Vanoord
16 years ago
The charger incompatibility issue is with the newer batteries, the Li-Ion ones that are in a yellow case (as supplied with the DL-16)?
Hello again darkness, my old friend...
SimplyExploring
16 years ago
The MF Gel batteries you talk off were made for the south African market. I've had 2 of them over the years one was red another was blue. Red one only lasted a year before dying and blue one I sold to a friend and is still going strong I be leave.
Personally I would keep clear of them if they have not been charged and used regularly. On the other hand gel batteries are very good at being left alone for long periods.

They can be charged on a standard Oldham charger, but is recommended they are charged on a modern mosfit type Oldham charger that charges in stages rather than constant current.
Redwinch
16 years ago
Bought one (yellow case) in 1991 to do Milwr, was ok at first but died after about 14 months, very disappointed as older conventional oldhams had given me good service for years not months, Used to buy seconhand sets in the late 60's from a place near manchester, sold on a basis of how many hours life left in battery , price accordingly, ie. 6 hr, 8 hr, etc good value at the time
Still supporting Rampgill. last time I looked
Moorebooks
16 years ago
Its a case of buyer beware - these may be cheap but could be u/s. I have got through so many oldhams over the years I have finaly abandoned them and moved onto the Speleo Lights and the Lion LED. They don't suffer from over charging, lack of charging no messing about with topping up etc. These may not be the cheapest options but compared against fuel and beer as a light is your most important asset it would seem unwise to skimp on it

Mike
Mr Mike
16 years ago
I think the consensus is no to buy them !

Despite what Simply says about sealed gel batteries, I have had failures due to non charging and left uncharged for a year, and these have been on very good Yuasa gel batteries.
Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk
stuey
  • stuey
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
16 years ago
I gather from the seller that they will be given a thorough testing and relisted. Will jack the price up though, but there are enough of them to see them go cheap.
chriscambo25
16 years ago
Well thanks to all for the response, i was going to look a little further into this ,had hoped it was a good oppurtunity to grab a bargain,

Based on the responses so far and my lack of knowledge on the oldhams,i think ill leave it,

just out of curiosity, are the waist mounted batteries as per the oldhams and similar branded mining lamps submersible?
what happens when theyre dunked in waist deep water?

again thanks for all the assistance chaps


Mr Mike
16 years ago
I think most Oldham batteries are submersible. Certainly 3 of our group before converting to different packs used them in chin deep water for long periods.
Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk
Redwinch
16 years ago
The older oldham type batteries with a screwed filling plug on the side sealed with a rubber stopper, didnt mind being dunked, but the later (cant remember the No.) with two open filler vent holes took water in at a pace but it couldnt get out again, so diluting the acid and ruining the battery, it was found that the end caps of Bic biro pens would seal the holes for an underground trip, although you had to remember to remove them before recharging or you could blow up the battery

:lol:
Still supporting Rampgill. last time I looked
stuey
  • stuey
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
16 years ago
All 18 are up as one lot, no reserve, 1p start, 9 kilos of lamps, 46 kilos of batteries.

Mr Mike
16 years ago
"stuey" wrote:

All 18 are up as one lot, no reserve, 1p start, 9 kilos of lamps, 46 kilos of batteries.



Now that's a sales pitch 😉
Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk
Knocker
16 years ago
Am I being blind, or have they gone?
Redwinch
16 years ago
Item number 200291153027 😉
Still supporting Rampgill. last time I looked
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