NiteRider Classic Plus User Manual

Dual Beam Halogen
NiMH

USER GUIDE

Classic Plus

NiteRider and Classic Plus are trademarks of NiteRider, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The
information in this document is subject to change without notice.

© 2005 NiteRider, Inc. All rights reserved.

DISCOVER THE NIGHT!

Thank you for choosing Classic Plus™ from NiteRider, the
innovator in technical lighting systems. Classic Plus is a dual­beam halogen system that charges quickly and uses a
thumb-operated remote switch for safe, easy access to three
lighting modes.

To get the most from your NiteRider light, we urge you to
familiarize yourself with the following safety and operation
instructions.

1

PROTECTING

YOUR INVESTMENT

When not in use, always disconnect the headlamp from the
battery. To unplug, grasp the connector, not the cable.

Properly charge your battery to maximize its lifespan (see
“Battery Charging and Care” on page 10). To avoid damaging
your system, only charge your NiteRider battery with the
appropriate NiteRider charger.

While Classic Plus will perform in wet weather conditions,
submerging it in water will damage the system. If you need a
submersible light, NiteRider manufactures industrial-grade
dive light systems. For information, contact NiteRider Dive
Lights at 858.268.3850 or visit www.niteriderdive.com.

RIDING AT NIGHT

While the Classic Plus will improve your control and
enjoyment of night riding, please remember that cycling at
night is an inherently dangerous activity. In addition to using
your lighting system properly and riding with extreme caution,
NiteRider urges you to:

• never ride alone

• always let someone know where you are going

• wear a helmet and reflective clothing

• carry an auxiliary light and emergency supplies.

NiteRider, Inc.
8205 Ronson Road, Suite E
San Diego, CA 92111 USA

800.466.8366
www.niterider.com

SUPPORT

If you experience difficulties during product installation or
operation, NiteRider provides free telephone support on
weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Pacific Time) at

800.466.8366, ext. 4. You may also e-mail us at
[email protected].

WARRANTY

NiteRider stands behind its products with the following
warranties:

• Lifetime warranty on all mechanical components

• 1 year on cables and connectors, electronic components,
and printed circuit boards

• 180 days on rechargeable batteries and fast chargers

• 60 days on halogen bulbs

To repair or replace your product while under warranty, return
it (postage prepaid and insured with original sales receipt) to
the address below. Out-of-warranty repair service is also
available. For complete warranty information, please visit our
website..

2

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Parts List and Identification

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Quick Start

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Mounting the Headlamp

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Universal Handlebar Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Inserting the Headlamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Mounting the Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Operation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Battery Charging and Care

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Using the 2.5-hour Fast Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Battery Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Smart Battery Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Run Times

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PARTS LIST

AND IDENTIFICATION

Please verify the contents of your Classic Plus system:
A. 12/20/32 Watt halogen headlamp

B. 4.0 Ah-13.2 Volt NiMH battery (frame mount)
C. 2.5-hour fast charger
D Charger power cord

E. Universal handlebar mount
F. Velcro cable tie

A

C

B

D

F

E

4

5

QUICK START

1. Fully charge the battery before the first use. See “Using the

2.5-hour Fast Charger” on page 10.

2. To mount the headlamp and battery, see “Mounting the
Headlamp” on page 6 and “Mounting the Battery” on
page 8.

3. Connect the battery to the headlamp.

4. Press and release the remote switch to turn the system on,
to cycle between the three light modes, and to turn the
system off.

6

MOUNTING THE HEADLAMP

Universal Handlebar Mount

The Universal Handlebar Mount (UHM) is designed to fit on
virtually any handlebar. Included with the mount is a 2.5-mm
Allen wrench, a pair of black rubber bumpers already in
place, and a thin rubber shim to customize the fit on large
handlebars up to 32 mm in diameter.

Turn the knob counter-clockwise, allowing the hinge to swing
open. Place the mount on the handlebar on the left side the
stem, orienting the rectangular notch in the slider clip to the
rear. Swing the hinge down to make contact with the
handlebar. Swing the hex bolt up, seating the knob into its
recess. Turn the knob clockwise to tighten and secure the
mount to the handlebar.

The UHM can be adjusted to accommodate any handlebar
angle. By loosening the 2.5 x 30 mm Allen screw, you can
move the swing arm back and forth to straighten the
headlamp. Tighten the 2.5 x 30 mm screw after the
adjustment.

NOTCH

SWING ARM

2.5 x 30 MM
SCREW

HINGE

KNOB

HEX BOLT

SLIDER CLIP

2.5 x 12 MM
SCREW

7

To pivot the headlamp, loosen the 2.5 x 12 mm screw located
under the slider clip and swing arm and rotate the headlamp
to the desired position. Make this adjustment before
tightening the 2.5 x 30 mm screw.

Inserting the Headlamp into the UHM

Insert the headlamp mount into the UHM slider clip from the
rear of the slider clip forward. Gently rocking the lamp as you
slide it may help. Do not push the release lever when
inserting the headlamp into the slider clip; let the lamp snap
into place by itself.

Secure the remote switch to the handlebar with the Velcro
strap so that the remote switch is easily accessed by the
thumb while riding.

To remove the headlamp, push the release lever and slide the
lamp backward.

Note

: After mounting the headlamp, adjust the headlamp so
it illuminates the road properly without distracting oncoming
riders.

8

MOUNTING THE BATTERY

The NiMH battery is mounted to the bike frame.

1. Thread the wide Velcro strap through the slots on the top of
the battery clip.

2. Attach the concave surface of the battery to a safe,
convenient location on the frame (typically under the top or
down tube), placing the Velcro strap over the tube but
under any shift or brake cables.

3. Secure the handlebar cord to the frame using the thin
Velcro tie. Make sure the cord does not interfere with any
moving parts.

9

OPERATION

1. Connect the battery cord to the headlamp.

2. Press and release the thumb-operated remote switch once
to turn on the 12-watt spotlight.

3. Press and release the remote switch a second time to turn
on the 12-watt spotlight and 20-watt floodlight
simultaneously.

4. Press and release the remote switch a third time to turn on
only the 20-watt spotlight.

5. Press and release the remote switch a fourth time to turn off
the system.

Warning

: To protect the battery from over-discharging, turn

off the lamp before it reaches complete darkness.

Warning

: Headlamps require adequate airflow during
operation (as in riding conditions). NiteRider discourages use
of the light in stationary conditions as excessive heat retention
can damage the lamp.

10

BATTERY CHARGING

AND CARE

Rechargeable batteries can last years with proper care. Most
importantly, fully charge your battery:

• before the first use

• after each use

• before storing

• every 45 to 60 days when not in use.

Using the 2.5-hour Fast Charger
Note

: The charger will charge a fully depleted battery in

approximately 2.5 hours.

1. Plug the power cord into the charger and then the wall

socket. The charger will conduct a self-diagnosis and the
charging indicator light (located on the back, upper-left
corner of the charger) will illuminate green, then amber,
and then back to green.

2. Connect the charger cable to the battery. If the battery is

not fully charged, the indicator light will turn amber,
signifying fast-charge mode. If the light flashes when you
first plug in the battery, the charger is preparing an overly
discharged battery for fast charging.

3. When the battery is fully charged, the indicator light will

turn green and charging will shut off automatically.

4. Unplug the charger from the battery and wall socket,

grasping the connectors rather than the cables. (Leaving
the battery and charger connected indefinitely will not harm
the cells.)

Battery Initialization

Until the battery has been charged and discharged up to ten
times, you may experience shorter than expected run times
as well as higher than normal charger and battery
temperatures.

11

Warning

: NiteRider discourages battery initialization through
“bench testing” (operating the light in static conditions) as the
excessive heat generated can damage the headlamp.

Smart Battery Protection

Classic Plus’ “smart” battery incorporates thermal protection
circuitry that turns the battery off when it overheats from
charging, external heat, or a short circuit. When the thermal
protection circuit is activated, the system will lock and the fuel
gauge will become dark. To clear the system and return it to
normal operation, unplug the light from the battery and allow
the battery to cool.

Warning

: It is important to avoid over-discharging the battery.
When operating the light, turn the lamp off before it reaches
complete darkness.

Storage

Rechargeable batteries perform better and last longer if they
are brought to a complete charge before storing and every 45
to 60 days when not in use.

Disconnect the battery from the headlamp, and store the
system in a cool dry place.

12

RUN TIMES

Setting Run Time (hours)

12 watt (spot) 3:10
20 watt (flood) 2:00
32 watt (spot and flood) 1:20

Run times are approximations and will vary.

NiteRider, Inc.
8205 Ronson Road, Suite E
San Diego, CA 92111 USA

800.466.8366

www.niterider.com

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