Newsletter Archives #71

RAINBOW POWER COMPANY LTD
E-mail newsletter #71

11 May 2004

CONTENTS:
1. TRAINING COURSES
2. WEB SITE BBS
3. UNI SOLAR PRICES
4. TORCHES

1) TRAINING COURSES: Our weekend “Living With Solar” course is becoming
very popular and we are receiving enthusiastic feedback about it. The
next course is 5th and 6th June. Cost is $115. See our Web Site or
contact our Office for more details and a registration form.

Last week I received a number of calls from very disappointed people who
had just learned that the BCSE no longer offers accreditation in
conjunction with the five day course that has been offered here for
several years. The BCSE in its wisdom has decided that you now need to
attend a TAFE course to become accredited. I’ve also just been told that
the three TAFE colleges in NSW that were offering this course have now
stopped due to funding cuts. I have created a new Forum on our Web Site
BBS about the ‘Loops and Hoops of BCSE Accreditation”. Feel free to post
your opinions.

2) WEB SITE BBS: I announced last Newsletter that we’d opened a Forum
BBS on our Web Site for you to post comments, questions etc. Many of you
went on this the first day and didn’t see much there. Have another look
– there are now some twenty-five messages in twelve different topics!
These range from the latest advances in PV, Howard government cuts to
renewable energy research, low cost computer printing in the Solomon
Islands and, as I’ve just mentioned, BCSE Solar Accreditation issues.

3) UNI SOLAR PRICES: We are pleased to announce that we have been able
to lower these panel prices. Contact us today for our latest price list.

4) TORCHES:

A TORCH FOR EVERY PURPOSE

A decade ago, virtually all torches looked pretty much the same and were
designed to operate from two ‘D’ size batteries. We now have a wide
range of torches to suit many different needs.

When selecting a torch, there are several factors to consider. Do you
want something small and light to slip into your pocket or handbag, or
do you require a larger heavier torch? Do you require a very bright
torch say for spotting animals 50 metres away? If you are a dairy
farmer, or involved in search and rescue, you might need a torch capable
of staying on for several hours. If you use a torch a lot, then the
extra cost of a rechargeable torch would be worthwhile.

RECHARGEABLE TORCHES

We sell one small and three large rechargeable torches.

1. Rechargeable Miners lamp: This will run for up to 16 hours on one
charge. It is designed to recharge from 240Volts.

2. Dolphin Torch: This is the popular Eveready torch that has been
modified to be rechargeable from 12 volts (with an optional 240V
charger). This torch is a favourite with farmers and pest exterminators
because it will go for at least 6 hours before needing recharging.

3. Superbright Halogen: This will give you a powerful 100 metre beam
for long distance spotting. It will operate for up to 1.5 hours on a
charge. This torch recharges from 240V with an optional 12/24 volt
charger.

4. LED Rechargeable Mini Torch: This little LED torch recharges from a
car cigarette lighter socket. It will give up to 2 hours of light from
a single LED.

LED TORCHES

LED torches use an LED (light emitting diode) rather than a conventional
bulb. If you drop a torch with a conventional globe in it, there is a
good chance that the fine brittle filament in the globe will break.
You’ll then need to replace the globe – rather awkward if you are in the
middle of the forest on a moonless night!

LED torches are much more robust as they have no filament in them to
break. They give a very focused bright light while using very little
power.

The LED itself should last a lifetime, with a rated lifespan in excess
of 50,000 hours. We sell three types of LED torches:

1. LED Rechargeable Mini Torch: This torch has been described above.

2. 3 LED Head Torch: This small torch will fit in the palm of your
hand. It also comes with a belt clip and an adjustable head strap for
hands free operation. It will operate for up to 80 hours on three AAA
alkaline batteries.

3. Three-In-One Torch: This versatile torch comes with three powerful
LED lights (up to 80 hours operation) as well as a Xeron bulb (3 hours)
and a Cold Cathode Fluoro Tube (7 hours). It uses four AA batteries.

DYNAMO TORCH

We even have a torch, which does not use batteries! The dynamo torch
needs to be squeezed every few seconds to keep it illuminated. See it
in operation on our website!

SOLAR-POWERED TORCHES

We also sell a couple of Rechargeable Torches which are recharged
directly from the sun (using a small solar panel).

The small Pocket Solar Torch will illuminate for up to 40 minutes on a
single charge. The slightly larger Waterproof Solar Torch will stay on
for up to an hour once charged. Designed for bicycle use, it comes with
three red flashing LEDs which will flash for some 60 hours when charged.

So if you need a Specialist Torch, have a chat to our friendly staff.
Most of us live in the country, so we are experienced torch-users!

* * * * * * * * * *

That’s all for this month folks! Your comments and questions are most
welcome; however, there is no need to send our newsletter back to us
when you reply! If you would like a price or product information, please
tell us which country you are from if it is not evident from your e-mail
address. This allows us to assess if local GST (tax) is applicable or
whether 240 Volt 50HZ products will work in your country etc.

Dave Lambert and the RPC crew