Chainsaw Repair
Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Cordless Battery OPE - Corded Electric => Topic started by: Philbert on June 10, 2016, 05:42:00 pm
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As noted, half the cost of some cordless / battery powered OPE is in the battery. So it is helpful to look at the whole 'family' of tools which share batteries, chargers, etc. Sometimes, a nice accessory comes along that also uses the same batteries.
Received a demo unit of this today, that I am pre-disposed to like: 1) I like LED lights, and have been replacing my corded, halogen lights with them - they run cooler, and no tubular bulbs burn out / break; and, 2) I have several of the Oregon 40V batteries already. This light gives me another opportunity to get use from them.
Weighs about 4 lbs 7 oz dry, and about 7 lbs 1 oz with a 2.4Ah battery installed, on my postal scale. Lens tilts downward (forward), approximately 10°, and backwards (up) approximately 90°. Comes fully assembled, but the 2-piece tubular frame comes apart very easy if you need to break it down for travel.
Runs off any of the Oregon 40V batteries OR the included AC (120 - 240V) adaptor. As I understand it, the AC adaptor does NOT charge the battery.
More specs on the box (see photos), and at:
http://oregoncordless.com/product/portable-light-wl275/
http://oregoncordless.com/
Philbert
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Went out to try it last night as soon as it got dark. Casts a pretty wide beam, with gentle illumination over a broad area. With it's size, weight, and light output, I felt like I was carrying a high-tech Coleman lantern, without the hissing noise. Tried it on the 'High' (1091 rated lumens) and 'Low' (584 rated lumens) settings. Provides nice, general area lighting.
I 'compared' it to some other lights I have, including a corded LED light with a smaller lens (830 rated lumens), and a more conventional, 500 watt halogen work light, with a similar size lens and reflector as the WL275. There were clearly some objective differences that could be measured if one had the fancy instruments. Subjectively, I could notice some differences in apparent brightness, color, coverage, etc. But only if I was being picky.
I also compared it to a Rayovac, hand-held spotlight rated at 500 lumens (runs on 6 AA batteries), which clearly sent light farther down the alley for spot illumination, but did not light up the yard like the Oregon light. So comparisons have to consider the form factor of the light (e.g. spot or flood, lens size, etc.) as well as rated lumens.
Overall, I am very pleased with this, initially, as an accessory to my Oregon 40V OPE. If I had to buy the batteries and charger just to use this one light, I would have to think about it a bit, and see what else is available. Could be a great option for a lot of places where temporary or emergency lighting is needed: compact, powerful, easy to use. I still remember when a single halogen light bolted to a 1000 watt Honda generator (like the photo attached - *NOT the WL275*) was cutting edge in portable, emergency lighting!
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Photo of the Test Group
WL275 is in the middle.
Philbert
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Optional 5 Gallon Accessory Bucket
With soccer cones I could land aircraft!
Philbert
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Further Experimentation
The light provides good, general illumination, but is really hard to look at. Did some further experimentation with using it for marking / or signaling. Bungied a simple piece of yellow Plexiglass acrylic across the lens, and viewed it from 200 and 300 feet away at night. Really hard to photograph with an iPhone, but really impressed: clear, bright, conspicuous. Optical quality filters/gels might even improve or extend the range.
BTW, as a Li-Ion device, the light goes out like a switch when the battery is drained to a certain level. This occurred to me on the 'High' setting', but I still had a few minutes of time on the 'Low' setting to 'get back to base', switch out batteries, etc.
Philbert
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More Filter Fun
Cut up a bunch of acrylic and polycarbonate scraps I had in the shop, along with some milk jugs and old Tupperware, to make more filters. I can do this since the LED light remains cool.
It would be better if I had some even lower light settings, to extend battery life, but the filters are fun to play with. Took it camping and it really lit things up. Great for setting up tents, for late arrivals, and for turning my nylon tent into a locating beacon for the whole campsite! The yellow filter really did attract fewer bugs.
A little big for backpacking,and I'd like a better way to hang it, or to mount at height. But overall, very happy with it.
Philbert
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Since I have the chainsaw, I just might buy 1 of these. Be great if the power goes off. What I like about it is it radiates no heat. With the old halagons fired up, you got a small heater as well. I might also try this when I predator hunt at night with a red or green cover. Should work good with the wide beam of light. Would help pick up the "eyes" when they come in shotgun range.
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Please post your impressions, comments, experiences, etc. if you do buy one.
Philbert