General guidelines
Charging
As with all Kowalski torches, the batteries can be recharged, without opening the torch casing. Always ensure that the torch is rinsed thoroughly in fresh water and dried (especially the charging points on the torch), before charging the batteries. The torch must be switched off. Insert the two plugs into the connectors, plug the charger into the power supply and switch on the power.
Care of the rechargeable batteries
| Lithium Ion batteries | | Nickel-cadmium batteries |
Your Li-Ion batteries store their energy in a totally different way to most other rechargeable cells. It is better to store your torch Partly Charged, rather than fully charged. They can be stored in this partly charged state for quite some time without the cell deteriorating or developing what has been referred to as the memory effect. Li-Ion batteries do not suffer from any form of memory effect. Obviously, after a long period without use, the charge in the batteries will drop off a little, but to restore them to full power, the batteries need to be charged before use.
From 26th September 2008 we can only supply Lithium ion batteries as replacements for existing Nickel-Cadmium batteries - click for more information.
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When storing the torch, it is better to leave it charged, rather than partially of fully discharged. Rechargeable batteries do gradually lose their charge, if left unused.
All rechargeable batteries perform at their peak only if they are used regularly. Whilst Kowalski Torches and Video Lamps can be charged from any state of charge, it is important that the batteries are given a regular "reminder" of what their expected maximum performance is. If, during your normal use, the batteries are not fully discharged on a regular basis, the torch should be put through a complete charge/discharge/charge cycle at least every 4 - 6 weeks.
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Changing the bulb
Unfortunately there is no guarantee given by the bulb manufacturers, so a bulb may last anything from a few months to many years. It is wise to carry a spare bulb with you, because, when they do go, it's always at the wrong time, when no spares are available. Changing the bulb is probably one of the few times that you will want to open the casing of the torch.
You need to use the Allen key, provided with your torch. Place the torch, lens down, on a firm work surface. Press down firmly on the base of the torch and remove the two grub screws at the end of the casing. Taking the casing in one hand with the base and handle in the other, give a firm twist and pull, to remove the casing. Do not rush this, because you need to ensure
that the bulb does not get broken as you do it. Using a tissue or a clean cloth, remove the bulb from its fitting and replace it with the new bulb. Check that the bulb works, before re-assembling the torch, by switching it on whilst shading your eyes. Before replacing the casing, check that both the O ring set into the base and the inside rim of the casing are clean and lightly greased.
Firmly press the casing back on to the base and line up the grub screw holes with their equivalent retaining holes in the side of the base, before re-inserting the grub screws.
It is important that the grub screws are not tightened up too much, as doing so may distort the casing and impair the efficiency of the O-ring seals - they should be no more than flush with the casing.
Other maintenance tips
- The two grub screws at the bottom of the casing are made of steel, whereas the casing is aluminium. When this is combined with use in salt water, it is not surprising that a certain amount of crust builds up round the screws. As the torch is rarely opened, it is important to keep the screws in working order. Once a year it is a good idea to remove the screws, grease them and put them back. There is no need to open the torch during this process.
- No matter how hard we try to dry the torch and its charging connectors, a little corrosion is almost inevitable on the connectors. These can easily be cleaned using a small amount of WD 40 (or similar) and a soft cloth or cotton bud. Please do not use anything more abrasive on these contacts. If your charging contacts are more that a little corroded or rusted, soak them in vinegar for about half an hour, before finishing off with the process as above.
- The front lens of Kowalski torches is retained by two O-rings, one internal, fitted between the lens and the casing and the second, which is visible on the exterior of the lens. If the torch is cleaned too vigorously, this outside O-ring sometimes works itself loose. If you notice that this O-ring has fallen out, but you still have it, replace it into the small groove in the casing, whilst pressing down firmly on the lens. It may seem that the O-ring does not fit,
but we can assure you that it does: it just needs to be worked into place. If the O-ring has fallen out and become lost, get in touch with us to obtain a replacement, before using the torch again. It is not certain that the torch will not maintain its watertight integrity without it, but it is not worth taking that chance. Check regularly that this O-ring is in place.
Torch specific charging & maintenance guidelines
620-S, 1250-S & 1250-D Lamps
The charging system of these torches requires an uninterrupted 6.5 hours (620-S), 12hours (1250 S & D) on charge, after which the charger switches to trickle charge. When the torch is first placed on charge, the indicator light on the charger should show solid red; when the batteries are recharged, the indicator light will alternate on for about 5 seconds and out for about 25 seconds. This trickle charge system protects the batteries from being overcharged and, if necessary, the torch may be left connected to the mains for several days. The torch may be charged from any state of charge, but this does not affect the charging time of 6.5 hours & 12 hours respectively.
Never switch the torch on, when it is charging.
The chargers for these torches are specific to the torch and cannot be interchanged. The charger is manufactured with a Euro 2 pin plug, but it is fitted with a UK 3-pin adaptor. The adaptor can be removed by loosening the two small grub screws set into the side of the adaptor. The default input voltage is 230V. In order to switch to 115V, remove the adaptor, and use a screwdriver to turn the small screw between the pins a quarter turn until the indicator shows 115V. Do not forget to switch it back to 230V, when you return to the UK.
Classic 620 and Classic 1250 Lamps
The charging system on these new versions of the 620 and 1250 torches is a great improvement on their predecessors.
Both torches use identical chargers and, therefore, they are interchangeable. The Classic 620 requires a maximum of 4 hours, the Classic 1250 needs no more than 8.5 hours. The recharge time is, however, dependant on the remaining charge in the torch, as the batteries have the ability to top up the charge and the re-charge time is reduced accordingly.
The chargers automatically recognise any voltage between 90V and 280V and deliver the correct voltage to the batteries. The source voltage does not affect the charging time. The polarity of the connections is unimportant, so it does not matter which connector you apply to each terminal.
Always ensure that the charging connections are clean and dry, before attempting to charge the torch.
Always plug the charging connectors into the base of the lamp, before connecting to the mains. When the charger is first switched on, the LED on the charger will light up Green. At the same time, the LED on the base of the torch shows green and after a few seconds this should turn Red. This LED will remain Red as long as the torch is charging, after which it will turn Green. The torch is now fully charged.
Never switch the torch on during the charging process and also ensure that the charger is switched off at the mains, before disconnecting from the lamp.
The charger is supplied from the factory with a European 2-pin plug. This has a British 3-pin adaptor fitted, to comply with UK safety regulations. This is easily removed by loosening the small screw, between the pins and the 2-pin plug will pull out.
If you have any problems in charging, please refer to the troubleshooting section of this website.
All Speed Charging Lamps
All the Speed charging torches use identical chargers and, therefore, they are interchangeable. The 620 Speed requires a maximum of 80 minutes, the 1250-S Speed, 1250-D Speed, Xenon, 12100-S-5 Speed and 12100-D-5 Speed lamps all need a maximum of 3 hours. The 12100-S-7 Speed and the 12100-D-7 Speed torches need no more than 4.5 hours. The recharge time is, however, dependant on the remaining charge in the torch, as the batteries have the ability to top up the charge and the re-charge time is reduced accordingly.
The chargers automatically recognise any voltage between 90V and 280V and deliver the correct voltage to the batteries. The source voltage does not affect the charging time. The polarity of the connections is unimportant, so it does not matter which connector you apply to each terminal.
Always ensure that the charging connections are clean and dry, before attempting to charge the torch.
Always plug the charging connectors into the base of the lamp, before connecting to the mains. When the charger is first switched on, the LED on the charger will light up Green. At the same time, the LED on the base of the torch shows green and after a few seconds this should turn Red. This LED will remain Red as long as the torch is charging, after which it will turn Green. The torch is now fully charged.
Never switch the torch on during the charging process and also ensure that the charger is switched off at the mains, before disconnecting from the lamp.
The charger is supplied from the factory with a European 2-pin plug. This has a British 3-pin adaptor fitted, to comply with UK safety regulations. This is easily removed by loosening the small screw, between the pins and the 2-pin plug will pull out.
If you have any problems in charging, please refer to the troubleshooting section of this website.
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