Extreme Lights are SABS approved. Read more on why this matters

[extremelights]

Is it really worth the risk buying cheap?

http://extremelights.gocommerce.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2014/01/Flaming-house-1200x399.jpg

 

Did you know that all products that connect to the ESKOM Power grid must meet SABS safety standards? We were shocked to discover how few products sold meet any standards at all. This is a classic example of how buying cheap can cost you more!

Rest assured that Extreme Lights has the SABS safety badge of approval, and unlike other untested and unsafe equipment available on the market, you can be at ease when you connect our chargers to the mains. You will not put yourself and your loved ones in danger.

 

When purchasing online items internationally, you take a big risk that the product might be unsafe. As international recalls can prove very difficult, bigger online stores do not always adhere to strict safety controls. Keeping costs low is the main factor for companies like this, and sadly for many South African fly-by-nights too.

 

Why should YOU worry about this? Li-ion batteries pack a lot of power and connecting them to a low grade charger can easily over charge the batteries. They become like a ticking time bomb after being damaged, and can blow at any time. When a li-ion battery explodes, the flame that is jettison is well over a 1000deg C, and can easily put fire to most household materials.

 

Watch this video for an example of typical cells that cycle lights batteries are made of.

http://youtu.be/IwtAR1Jmquk

Our standard cells have been improved over the last year and are now high quality, and excellent value. We also now stock both Panasonic and Sanyo branded li-ion cells. If you want the best batteries, read more about our K-range with Panasonic cells.

Original post here

[extremelights]

:-)

[Wasbeer]

So you saying that the light you have been selling the last 2 years was unsafe?

[extremelights]

Nope. I am saying that our lights were tested and passed and we got our approvals. :-)

 

The batteries that we sold a few years ago where dodgy but we have replaced those that gave issues. Even when they are out of warranty in most cases.

 

At this stage I am very very proud of the quality of the lights. I think our K-rangekicks the big brands but left, right and centre

Edited January 8, 2014 by extremelights

[Thug]

Should this rather not state that the Batteries/Battery packs are SABS approved as opposed to the head units themselves?

[madbradd]

Out of interest, Which standard were they approved in accordance with?

 

[madbradd]

Should this rather not state that the Batteries/Battery packs are SABS approved as opposed to the head units themselves?

This is what I was hinting at. I'm not sure there is even a standard for LED lamps and/or light fittings.

[extremelights]

Should this rather not state that the Batteries/Battery packs are SABS approved as opposed to the head units themselves?

 

When I refer to light I am talking about the complete system. Light, Battery and charger. When people walk in to my shop they come to buy a light implying light head+battery+chargers.The lights head is not the risky part. It is the battery and chargers that people don't think about. up to 2/3 of the cost of a light set is in the battery. So that is the first part that suffers quality cuts to get the price down.

 

We had our chargers designs check by the SABS to meet the required safety standards and they passed.

 

Last year we switched to a better manufacture for our batteries.

 

This is what I was hinting at. I'm not sure there is even a standard for LED lamps and/or light fittings.

 

The standard is the SABS IEC 60950-1 Information technology equipment Safety

Edited January 9, 2014 by extremelights

[extremelights]

IEC 60950-1:2005+A1:2009 is applicable to mains-powered or battery-powered information technology equipment, including electrical business equipment and associated equipment, with a RATED VOLTAGE not exceeding 600 V. Also applicable are components and subassemblies intended for incorporation in information technology equipment. It is not expected that such components and subassemblies comply with every aspect of the standard, provided that the complete information technology equipment, incorporating such components and subassemblies, does comply.

[Danger Dassie]

So technically anyone else bringing in the same or similar lights with the same ISO/BVQI etc standard, should also pass muster?

 

Good to you're taking steps like this though. I wish the manufacturers of plugs, multi plugs, adapters would also follow suit.

[extremelights]

So technically anyone else bringing in the same or similar lights with the same ISO/BVQI etc standard, should also pass muster?

 

Good to you're taking steps like this though. I wish the manufacturers of plugs, multi plugs, adapters would also follow suit.

 

When price is the only consideration and the seller has zero product liability nor any responsibility to honer warranty or advertisement claims then the likely hood that they would be providing a more costly product is slim. For example a product that follow any standard at all. That is the case when you sit in China and sell to other countries via on-line stores. The same holds true for those that unwittingly buy from them and resells locally.

 

When a client buys more than the minimum amount of quantities the factory will manufacturer the product to the specified requirements. Which equates to a price point/quality of a product

 

There are numerous factories that copy each others products in China. Some do it better than others but at the end they will produce what ever you pay them to produce.

 

It is naive to think that because a product X is manufactured in the same factory or being copied from brand Y that the quality will inherently be the same. We hear it frequently under cyclist: "That frame is manufactured in Brand Y factory therefore it is the same" That is highly unlikely if it was true that it comes from the same factory. If you go to a factory and buy there cheapest product you really can't expect to get anything else.

 

I am sure that no one on this forum will doubt that there is a huge difference between a brand bike and unbranded bike bought from a super store. But yet both have gears, a seat post, wheels with rubber, handle bars, spokes etc. You can even buy a full suspension unbranded bike for under R2000. Both will get you from A to B or might I go as far to say that you could complete the same races on both?

 

But yet for some reason this logic does not extend to cycle lights.

 

Some of Extreme-lights housings may look similar than others but that is really where the similarity ends. Over the years we have learned that you can't build a good name on cheap products. And sitting in South Africa does make us responsible for the products we sell. We do hope that we are adding sufficient value to the lights to warrant a slightly higher price.

Edited February 13, 2014 by extremelights

[Danger Dassie]

When price is the only consideration and the seller has zero product liability nor any responsibility to honer warranty or advertisement claims then the likely hood that they would be providing a more costly product is slim. For example a product that follow any standard at all. That is the case when you sit in China and sell to other countries via on-line stores. The same holds true for those that unwittingly buy from them and resells locally.

 

When a client buys more than the minimum amount of quantities the factory will manufacturer the product to the specified requirements. Which equates to a price point/quality of a product

 

There are numerous factories that copy each others products in China. Some do it better than others but at the end they will produce what ever you pay them to produce.

 

It is naive to think that because a product X is manufactured in the same factory or being copied from brand Y that the quality will inherently be the same. We hear it frequently under cyclist: "That frame is manufactured in Brand Y factory therefore it is the same" That is highly unlikely if it was true that it comes from the same factory. If you go to a factory and buy there cheapest product you really can't expect to get anything else.

 

I am sure that no one on this forum will doubt that there is a huge difference between a brand bike and unbranded bike bought from a super store. But yet both have gears, a seat post, wheels with rubber, handle bars, spokes etc. You can even buy a full suspension unbranded bike for under R2000. Both will get you from A to B or might I go as far to say that you could complete the same races on both?

 

But yet for some reason this logic does not extend to cycle lights.

 

Some of Extreme-lights housings may look similar than others but that is really where the similarity ends. Over the years we have learned that you can't build a good name on cheap products. And sitting in South Africa does make us responsible for the products we sell. We do hope that we are adding sufficient value to the lights to warrant a slightly higher price.

 

Good answer and largely true, neatly sidestepped the question though.

[BigToe]

Will you have your lights at the argus expo?

[BigToe]

.

[Skylark]

Extreme lights, blowing your own horn is nice but don't trumpet to hard, its just in poor taste!!

and it brings out the trolls

 

Ja SABS approved doesn't mean a whole lot, doesn't stop Ellies from making crappy electrical stuff or defective plug points that they had to recall.

 

Also, being approved and super duper didn't stop Sony Li-ion battery packs from catching fire in some Apple products now did it.....

 

 

Ps. I have bought a good few Trustfire 18650 Li-ion cells from Dx and a few LED lights on the side, all perfrom perfectly!

Edited February 17, 2014 by Skylark

[BigToe]

So lets see Skylark, you have an issue with some local (your countrymen) guys trying to market (blow their own horn), improve their product (seek and get SABS approval) and develop a range that is as good as anything out their at a good price for cyclists (us) that love getting out and riding?