Pulsar DNV Battery Double Pack Problem

[Uncle Norm]

Last autumn I bought the DNV double battery pack and charger for my XQ30V Lite. I used my thermal and the batteries regularly throughout the winter and they performed very well. They had little use through this summer but I kept them charged.
One of the batteries now appears defective as it lasts only for about 45 minutes from showing fully charged. I keep the screen turned off until needed.
The other battery remains good for more hours that I need for an outing.

I was wondering what member's experience is of these batteries and whether this is a known issue ?

Albeit out of guarantee by three months, it is a poor show for the product.
Fortunately I have an excellent local retailer who will do his best to get this sorted.

 

[Nugs]

Norm, I had exactly the same problem, see post link - Pulsar DNV battery packs refuse to charge.

Unfortunately, my supplier washed their hands as outside of manufacturers guarantee by 4 months, and Thomas Jacks would not/could not sell me a charger. They would gladly however, relive me of another £70 for two more batts and a charger.
Ive gone back to the AA cradles, with good quality rechargeable batteries, Still pi$$ed off at Pulsar though.

 

[tozzybum]

I use the cradles with Panasonic eneloops and a nightcore charger ,all been good for over a year now 8 batteries and a charger for under 30 quid ,whats not to like .
Those DNV packs sound a bit dubious/dodgy and if theyre starting to fail just outta guarantee with no interest from retailers or importer 1 to avoid ,glad i didnt bother atb

 

[Uncle Norm]

Today I have tried charging the battery again and putting it in the thermal. Today it seems to be holding its charge. Going out to walk the dog now its stopped raining so will take it with me and see what happens. Strange.
Reaction to defects from Thomas Jacks as experienced by others doesn't sound too promising though. It would put me off buying their products.

 

[Uncle Norm]

Ten minutes into our walk and scanning the fields when the thermal shut down with flat battery. It went from almost full charge to flat so clearly defective.
£70+ for two batteries and a charger is expensive, so not good enough.

 

[Nugs]

Thats a bummer Norm. Im pretty sure my issue was the charger...... when plugged in and a battery pack showing as less than full charge on the thermal is inserted, the charging light on the plug should show RED..... meaning its charging. Mine stays static green, I'm pretty sure its not the batt packs as i have managed to get a charge in by hot-wiring it to my Nitecore intelli-charger.
Sound like Pulsar may have been skimping on some components in recent years, i know of at least one other who has had the same issue.

 

[Uncle Norm]

Definitely not a charger problem here Nugs. Lights work as they should and it charges the other battery properly. Duff battery.
As I already have some good rechargeable AAAs and a charger, I can use them in the battery cradle as back-up.

 

[Nugs]

I might have to send you my battery packs then to confirm its my charger.

 

[Uncle Norm]

I might have to send you my battery packs then to confirm its my charger.

I would be pleased to charge and test them for you. Send me a pm if you would like me to do so.
Sounds like we have been sold a pi$$ poor piece of kit, which is a shame as the XQ30V Lite is ideal for woodland stalking. Thomas Jacks and Pulsar should step up and put this right...…….. we shall see.

 

[Nugs]

I would be pleased to charge and test them for you. Send me a pm if you would like me to do so.
Sounds like we have been sold a pi$$ poor piece of kit, which is a shame as the XQ30V Lite is ideal for woodland stalking. Thomas Jacks and Pulsar should step up and put this right...…….. we shall see.

You would like to think that customer service is important when technology is changing so rapidly encouraging people to upgrade.
PM sent.

 

[tozzybum]

Unfortunately the xq23 and 30 lite are now called obsolete by Pulsar as the Axioms have replaced them so dont hold your breath .I broke a battery clip and T Jacks sent me a new one but i,d contacted Pulsar first and thats when i learned my 3 year old unit was out of date but luckily Jacks still had 1 on the shelf and didnt charge me for it.
So a swings and roundabout approach to customer service imho.Good luck and hope they respond to your complaint

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Try the youtube trick of wrapping up the battery pack & leaving it in the freezer.

 

[Uncle Norm]

Try the youtube trick of wrapping up the battery pack & leaving it in the freezer.

That's a new one on me. What result does it achieve please ? Do you have a link you could post ?

 

[Uncle Norm]

For anyone else thinking of buying this piece of kit, I have one piece of advice...…. DONT !

My neighbour (REME trained) has tested Nugs' charger/batteries and my duff battery.

Nugs' charger is defective. It is a sealed unit and cannot be repaired. The good news is that they are a common spec readily available, so a new one could be joined to the battery holder to restore charge function. No problem with Nugs' batteries, which have fully charged with my charger.

My battery is knackered and will only take a 'surface' charge. Probably one out of four AA cells is defective. It cannot be replaced or repaired as the construction will not permit it.

Overall, a pi$$ poor piece of kit that Pulsar and UK suppliers should be ashamed of.

I have found the thermal itself serves me well. If anyone is thinking of buying a XQ30V Lite either new or used, be prepared to use the AA battery packs only as the DNV double battery pack and charger is not fit for purpose.

 

[tozzybum]

Yep the modern scourge sealed unit ,no owner repair ,The AA units are still available for only a tenner,so i now have 3x battery holders with Panasonics in and have escaped buying the packs you and nuggs have found so poor thanks to your posts "buyer beware" rings true there .

 

[Uncle Norm]

Yep the modern scourge sealed unit ,no owner repair ,The AA units are still available for only a tenner,so i now have 3x battery holders with Panasonics in and have escaped buying the packs you and nuggs have found so poor thanks to your posts "buyer beware" rings true there .

Spot on and to top it off, the distributors will not supply a new charger without the two batteries as well. They will supply batteries but they cost as much as the batteries and charger anyway. Poor show and arrogant in my view.
The next piece of thermal kit that I buy wont be a Pulsar unless they up their game and learn a bit about reasonable customer service.
I don't get caught twice.

 

[Nugs]

For anyone else thinking of buying this piece of kit, I have one piece of advice...…. DONT !

My neighbour (REME trained) has tested Nugs' charger/batteries and my duff battery.

Nugs' charger is defective. It is a sealed unit and cannot be repaired. The good news is that they are a common spec readily available, so a new one could be joined to the battery holder to restore charge function. No problem with Nugs' batteries, which have fully charged with my charger.

My battery is knackered and will only take a 'surface' charge. Probably one out of four AA cells is defective. It cannot be replaced or repaired as the construction will not permit it.

Overall, a pi$$ poor piece of kit that Pulsar and UK suppliers should be ashamed of.

I have found the thermal itself serves me well. If anyone is thinking of buying a XQ30V Lite either new or used, be prepared to use the AA battery packs only as the DNV double battery pack and charger is not fit for purpose.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Uncle Norm for all his help with this issue, he has gone above and beyond and is a true credit to the forum.

He is spot on and i share his viewpoint on Pulsar and Thomas Jacks and their approach to customer service with regards to a £10 part.
Granted, it is easy to slate them when you fell aggrieved and let down by a product, but when there are numerous similar issues surfacing, they need to take note.

With regards to using the AA battery cradles, which both Uncle Norm and i have been forced into using, Eneloop pro batteries last twice the time of the DNV pack, which again highlights the cost cutting employed by Pulsar. A premium product deserves premium components and customer service..... Rant over.

 

[soulboy1957]

My XD50S failed at exactly 3 years of light use, the service from Thomas Jack's has been abismal since returning it for repair out of warranty.
Unit was sent back in early June with a quote of £480 plus vat to repair, I'm still waiting.
P**s poor service for something that cost over £2500.
Never again will I buy pulsar products.

 

[Uncle Norm]

In the absence of my battery packs and charger (Thomas Jacks would not simply replace the duff battery but wanted both batteries and charger) I have been using these Vapex 2900mah batteries from Components Shop.
I originally bought sixteen of them, together with a Vapex 8 cell smart charger for use in my trail camera.
They work very well in my Xq30V Lite and last considerably longer than needed for an outing.
Very good value for money and provide the stated power. Excellent customer service from Components Shop too. Highly recommended.

1.2V 2900mAh AA NiMH Pack of 4 Batteries Vapex

Highest capacity currently available in this popular size, ideal for all power-hungry applications, particularly digital cameras. Supplied with a free plastic carry case.

www.componentshop.co.uk