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Old 12th Sep 2020, 11:15 am   #1
Tom williams
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Default Super lite 4 in 1 fluorescent lantern, info needed please

Hello there,

I recently acquired this lantern from a charity shop and I would like to know more about it as there is not much information on the box i.e. the manufacturer, the date of manufacture and the manufacturer of the tube, please find attached some pictures of the lantern.

Tom
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Old 12th Sep 2020, 1:21 pm   #2
Herald1360
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Default Re: Super lite 4 in 1 fluorescent lantern, info needed please

The tube looks like a standard T5 type, they seem still to be available in a range from 4W 6" to 18W 24".

The little transistor inverter for the tube should be easy enough to reverse engineer- it might be worth checking any electrolytic caps in there.

The brand seems to have been sold in the US- the only reference I found was for a old sale in Texas.

It looks like a useful emergency light- if you could trust 6 D-cells not to leak in longterm standby!
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Old 12th Sep 2020, 1:26 pm   #3
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Default Re: Super lite 4 in 1 fluorescent lantern, info needed please

Not familiar with this particular unit, but broadly similar lanterns were very popular in about the 1980s.
Most were designed before alkaline batteries were in general use, hence the use of multiple large cells.
They give an impressive run time on modern alkaline cells, and are still useful in case of power cuts or in ill lit places.

Some versions used a flashing bulb for the amber warning light, others used a standard torch bulb and a transistorized flasher circuit, often on the same PCB as the fluorescent driver circuit.

The miniature fluorescent lamp and the bulbs are still readily available.
If you intend to use the lantern regularly, rather than keep it as a collectible, then it might be worth fitting a modern LED bulb to the spotlight and a new fluorescent tube of reputable make.
Use of the fluorescent tube with weak or failing batteries can drastically shorten its life.
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Old 12th Sep 2020, 5:37 pm   #4
Graham G3ZVT
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Default Re: Super lite 4 in 1 fluorescent lantern, info needed please

I have this, it was a freebie with a leased company car. I don't think I have ever use it.
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Old 12th Sep 2020, 5:53 pm   #5
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Default Re: Super lite 4 in 1 fluorescent lantern, info needed please

Quote:
Originally Posted by rambo1152 View Post
I have this, it was a freebie with a leased company car. I don't think I have ever use it.
I had one of these around 20 years ago, dismantled it for parts then scrapped it, now I regret it.
Found one on Ebay the other week, guess who bought it!
I thought it may come in handy should something happen with the motorhome/van.
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Old 12th Sep 2020, 6:12 pm   #6
Tom williams
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Default Re: Super lite 4 in 1 fluorescent lantern, info needed please

I also have a uniross one with two tubes and some flashing lights along with a torch, it runs on a 6V 4AH battery. I also own a handheld fluorescent UV light for checking money and ID's.
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Old 13th Sep 2020, 8:08 am   #7
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Default Re: Super lite 4 in 1 fluorescent lantern, info needed please

These types of Lamps were made by many different Manufacturers
over the years.

Most following the same format, with a Torch at the end, florescent
Tube along one side and a Red and flashing Amber Lamp on the
other.

There probably isn't much to know, other than they were kicked out
by their Thousands in Factory's in Hong Kong and/or China.

Still very useful, although as mentioned earlier, a
change to LED Bulbs would be an advantage today.

The one shown below was very common around the mid 80's and is
probably the earliest type I remember.

You could pick these up in Halfords, or pretty much any Motor Factor,
at the time, all identical but with varying Brand Names.
Although Plastic, they were quite well made, of decent thickness and
better quality Plastic than seems to be the norm today.

It disassembles quite easily into all it's component parts should any
repair work be needed.
Dirty contacts are usually a problem on these when stored unused for
a long time.



Ian
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