Specialized FireBalls Comp User manual

1
The battery pack of your FireBalls
Comp has been shipped dis-
charged. It needs to be completely
charged before your first ride.
Charge the battery continuously for
14 hours before your first ride. After
14 hours, you may remove the bat-
tery from the charger (even if all 5
LEDs on the fuel gauge are not lit).
After your first ride, allow the light
to remain on until the battery is
completely discharged and the light
automatically turns itself off. This will
help the fuel gauge to "learn" the
battery’s capacity. The fuel gauge
will become more accurate after 2
or 3 complete charge/discharge
cycles. Please see the sections titled
"Battery Pack" and "Charging the
Battery" for more information.
FireBalls®Comp Lighting System.
Congratulations on your purchase! You are now the owner of one of the world’s
finest bicycle lighting systems. Your Specialized FireBalls Comp has been designed
to provide the best combination of brightness, run-time, durability, ease of use
and installation.
WARNING: BICYCLING IN THE DARK IS AN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY. No lighting system will guard
you against inattentive motorists and other nighttime hazards. Always ride with extreme caution. Carry extra bulbs
and some type of auxiliary light with you. Wear reflective clothing. Make sure your bicycle has the legally required
reflectors and your helmet, ankles (or shoes) packs, panniers have reflectors or reflective patches. Specialized
lights and lighting systems are not intended to replace your C.P.S.C. approved reflectors. Never remove the original
reflectors from your bicycle. Always disconnect the battery pack and allow your light to cool before replacing it
in the storage case.
The FireBalls Comp features:
• Retina Optical System – Allows
Independent Adjustment of High
And Low Beams
• Wireless Handlebar Transmitter
• Ultra High-Capacity Nickel Metal
Hydride Battery with Integrated
Fuel Gauge.
• 4 Output settings (6, 12, 20, 32Watt)
• Smart Battery Charger
• Broken Filament Sensing
• Die-cast A1 Premium
Aluminum Housing
• Universal Handlebar Mounts
• Universal Helmet Mount
• Battery Backpack
• 20 Watt Halogen High Beam
• 12 Watt Halogen Low Beam
• Tail-light Port
• Water Resistant Housing
• 1 Year Warranty
What is included in your
FireBalls Comp package:
1. Lamp Housing (1)
2. Electronic Housing (1)
3. Battery Pack (1)
4. Helmet Mount (1)
5. Battery Backpack (1)
6. Handlebar Mounts (2)
7. Transmitter (1)
8. Battery Charger (1)
9. Wall Transformer (1)
10. Long Velcro™Strap (1)
11. Short Velcro Straps (2)
12. Cable Ties (2)
1
3
4
11 12
10
5
9
8
2
67

MOUNTING THE FIREBALLS COMP
Your FireBalls Comp is designed to be
mounted on your handlebars or on
your helmet. Use a 3mm hex-wrench
and the screws provided to install either
the handlebar mounts or the helmet
mount to the lamp housing.
HANDLEBAR – Attach your FireBalls
Comp securely to the handlebars with
the quick-release handlebar mounts.
The lamp housing should straddle the
stem and may be mounted above or
below the handlebars. Always use
BOTH quick-release mounts. Slide the battery pack and electronics housing into one of
your water-bottle cages. Use the long Velcro strap to secure the battery into the cage
by wrapping it completely around the frame tube Secure the power cable to your frame
with the two short Velcro straps. Be sure to leave enough slack in the power cable so
that it will not hinder the rotation of your handlebars. Plug in the electrical connector
between the battery and lamp housing. Make sure the power cable cannot become
entangled in any of the moving components of your bicycle.
HELMET – Attach your FireBalls Comp securely to your helmet by looping the Velcro
strap through the vents. The angle of the helmet mount is adjustable. FireBalls Comp
can be positioned on top or towards the front of your helmet. Secure the power cable
to the back of your helmet with the two short Velcro straps. Drop the battery pack into
the backpack. Be sure the fuel gauge lights can be seen through the slot in the back-
pack. Put on the backpack and make sure all of the straps are secure and cannot
become entangled in any of the moving components of your bicycle. For the most com-
fortable fit use both the waist strap and the sternum strap.
BATTERY PACK Your FireBalls Comp battery pack features an integrated fuel
gauge that monitors the condition of the battery during use, while
charging and in storage. Because it is located inside the battery
housing, the FireBalls Fuel gauge will always give an accurate
representation of the battery capacity. The five LED indicators show
battery capacity in 20% increments. The lights will illuminate auto-
matically when the light is in use and when the battery is charg-
ing. To check the capacity when the battery is
in storage simply press the button on the bat-
tery. When the battery capacity is below 10%
the first LED will blink. This is an indication that
the pack is very low and should be charged as soon as possible.
Use extreme care to avoid a short-circuit across the battery
contacts. Never allow any metal objects to touch the contacts on the
battery. In the event of a short-circuit, an Internal fuse will be
tripped to avoid damage to the battery. The fuse will reset itself
automatically when the short circuit is removed.
CHARGING THE BATTERY
The FireBalls Comp features the most advanced charging system ever offered in a
bicycle lighting system. The charge cycle is controlled by the fuel gauge located within
the battery pack. The system is designed to allow the battery to be left on the charger
indefinitely, without the risk of overcharging the battery. When the battery is fully
charged, the fuel gauge will signal the charger to stop charging. In order to counteract
2

the battery’s normal self-discharge characteristics during storage, the fuel gauge will
occasionally turn on the charger to top-off the battery.
To charge your battery pack, plug in the wire from the transformer into the charger
base, unscrew the battery from the electronics housing and drop it onto of the charger.
Be sure the alignment pin of the charger base mates with the hole on the battery pack.
The charger will automatically begin the charge cycle.
There is an LED Charge Indicator located on the front of the battery charger. While
the battery is charging the Charge Indicator will be illuminated. After the charge cycle
is complete the Charge Indicator will turn off and all 5 LEDs on the battery fuel gauge
will be illuminated. It is normal for the Charge Indicator to flash occasionally after the
charge cycle is complete.
There is a temperature sensor inside the battery
pack that will disable the charger if the battery is hot.
If you place the battery on the charge when it is hot (e.g.
immediately after use or if it has been stored inside your
car on a hot day), the charger will wait for the battery
to cool and then automatically resume charging.
The Nickel Metal Hydride batteries in your FireBalls
Comp need to be "exercised" in order to achieve their
maximum capacity. Your burn times may be shorter than
normal for the first few rides. After your batteries are
charged/discharged about 5 times they will reach their
full capacity.
The time to charge a fully discharged battery is
approximately 12 hours. Your actual charge time will
vary according to the condition of your battery.
OPERATION OF YOUR FIREBALLS COMP:
The FireBalls Comp light can be operated by two different methods, the Wireless
Transmitter (See section titled "Wireless Transmitter" for more information) or direct
operation of the buttons on the electronic housing. Each method offers a very simple
two-button operation: one button turning the light on and increases brightness and the
other dims the light and turns it off. The two methods may be used interchangeably.
Note: The buttons on the Wireless Transmitter are not marked UP or DOWN.
You can choose which is up and which is down depending upon which side of the
handlebar you choose to mount them on. For more information see the section titled
"Wireless Transmitter."
To turn the light on, press the UP button (marked "+" on the electronics housing
button) once. The light will enter the 6-watt "economy mode". If you press the UP
button again it will enter 12-watt mode, the third push of the UP button will turn
on the 20-watt bulb and the fourth push will turn on both bulbs.
To dim and turn the light off: Press the DOWN button (marked "-" on the electronics
housing button). Each time you press the DOWN button the light will select the next
lower output setting. The lamp will turn off if the DOWN button is pushed while in
6-watt mode. Note: If you are using the wireless transmitter, you must hold the DOWN
button for three seconds to turn the lamp off.
When the battery is consumed to approximately 10% of the total capacity the
FireBalls Comp will begin to cut-back the light output in order to extend its run time.
For example, if you are in 32 watt mode the light will automatically switch to 20 watt
mode, then to 12 watt mode. As the capacity is reduced further the light will switch to
6 watt economy mode. Typically there will be about 15-20 minutes of burn-time
remaining once the light has entered economy mode. The light will turn itself off when
the battery capacity is fully consumed in order to avoid over-discharging the battery.
In the event one of the bulbs of your FireBalls Comp light breaks, the other bulb will
automatically light.
3

WIRELESS TRANSMITTER
The Wireless Transmitter provided with your FireBalls Comp allows you to operate
your light without removing your hand from the grips. The transmitter sends a unique
digital code to the light. To eliminate interference with other FireBalls lights, there are
128 different transmitter codes.
The buttons of your transmitter are backlit.
When you push one of the buttons, the back-
light will turn on for 10 minutes. With every
subsequent push of the button the 10-minute
timer will reset itself.
The transmitter should be mounted as
close to the grip as possible. You may
mount the transmitter on either the right
or left side of your bars depending upon
your personal preference.
Your FireBalls will need to be trained
to listen to your specific transmitter code. In order to train your light, press and hold
the transmitter button you would like to turn the lights on and press and hold the UP
(marked "+") button on the electronics housing. When one of the lamps flashes quickly,
release both buttons. Next, press and hold the transmitter button you would like to turn
the lights off and press and hold the DOWN (marked "-") button on the electronics
housing. When one of the lamps flashes quickly, release both buttons. Your FireBalls
are now trained to your transmitter code.
To replace the batteries in your transmitter, remove the transmitter from your handle-
bar and unscrew the phillips screw that secures the battery cover. Remove the old
batteries and replace them with 2 new CR2032 lithium button cells. Be sure to note
the polarity of the cells during installation.
RETINA OPTICAL SYSTEM
The Retina Optical System is designed to
allow you to aim both beams of your
FireBalls Comp independently. Each beam
has 20 degrees of angular adjustment. To
adjust, loosen the thumbscrew on the back
of the lamp by rotating it counterclockwise
one-half turn. Aim the lamp by moving the
thumbscrew side-to-side or up-and-down.
When you are satisfied with the direction
you have aimed the beam, tighten the
thumbscrew to lock the lamp in place by rotating the screw clockwise.
Use caution not to over-tighten the thumbscrew.
ELECTRONICS HOUSING
The electronics housing for your FireBalls Comp contains the electronics that control
your light. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Please do not open the electronics
housing, as this will void your warranty.
There is a port at the top of the electronics housing that will supply power to
Specialized taillights. Use only taillights that are designed specifically to work with the
FireBalls headlights. Never attempt to plug any other connector into this port.
TRANSPORTING
The safest way to transport your FireBalls Comp is to place them inside their steel car-
rying case. To prevent the light from being accidentally turned-on, always disconnect
the battery from the electronics housing before transporting. Always allow the lamp
housing to cool to room temperature before placing the light in the carrying case.
4

REPLACING THE BULBS
Always remove the battery pack from the electronics housing before servicing your
FireBalls Comp. Replacement bulbs are available from your local Specialized dealer.
To remove one of the bulbs, unscrew the bezel on the front of the lamp housing by
rotating it counterclockwise. Carefully pry the bulb out of the housing with the tip of a
small screwdriver. Replace the blown bulb with one of identical size, voltage and
wattage. Insert the new bulb. Be careful to align the pins on the bulb with the holes
inside the lamp housing. Re-install the bezel by rotating it clockwise.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Light doesn’t turn on.
• Make sure your battery is fully charged. Push the button on the battery pack
and note how many of the lights on the fuel gauge illuminate. If no LEDs turn on
you need to charge the battery.
• Check the batteries in your handlebar transmitter. Does the backlight in the trans-
mitter turn on when you push one of the buttons? If not, replace the batteries.
• Is your FireBalls Comp programmed to your transmitter code? Follow the instructions
under the section titled "Wireless Transmitter"
• Is one or both of your bulbs blown? Replace the questionable bulb with
a known-good one.
Battery won’t charge
• Is your battery pack hot? Allow the pack to cool. The charger will automatically
begin the charge process as soon as the pack cools.
• Is the transformer plugged into the wall and into the charger base?
• Is there power at the wall outlet into which the transformer is plugged?
IMPORTANT!
• Pay attention to traffic and road conditions at all times. Your first obligation is
to be attentive and to ride safely.
• During use, the housing will become quite hot. Use caution not to touch the lamp
housing while the lamp is on.
• Never put your FireBalls light away hot. Always allow the lamp housing to cool
before placing it in the storage case.
• In cold weather (below 50ªF or 10ªC) the capacity of your battery pack may be
reduced. Plan your ride accordingly.
• Do not submerge your FireBalls under water. It is designed to be water-resistant,
not waterproof.
• Do not drop your FireBalls light. Dropping it can cause it to fail prematurely.
• Do not disassemble your FireBalls lighting system.
• Keep the lights and all of their components tightly attached, and check them
regularly. If any of the components loosen, it could become tangled in your spokes
and cause an accident.
• See your authorized Specialized dealer if you have any trouble installing or
maintaining your lights.
• Clean the unit with a mild detergent and a soft dry cloth. Never use any kind
of solvent or alcohol.
• The FireBalls Comp is intended for use on bicycles only and should not be
used on any motorized vehicle.
• Never look directly into the light beam.
5

SPECIFICATIONS
Battery Voltage 14.4 Volts DC (nominal)
Battery Capacity: 59 Watt/Hours
Charge time after full discharge ≈12 hours
Idle current <18mA
Voltage Regulation Method: Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM)
Battery Fuse 3.5A self-resetting
Low Beam Lamp 12 watt halogen
High Beam Lamp 20 watt halogen
Transmitter Batteries (2) CR2032 Lithium
Transmitter Battery life Approx. 100hrs
Transmitter Frequency 315 Mhz USA, Canada, South America
433.92 Mhz Europe, Asia
Ambient Operating Temperature 40°F to 104°F (4°C to 40°C)
Specifications subject to change without notice.
The following replacement parts are available from your Specialized dealer:
Description Part#
NiMH Battery 499-3250
Handlebar Mounts 499-3252
12 Watt Halogen Bulb 499-3202
20 Watt halogen Bulb 499-3201
Wireless Transmitter 499-3204
Transmitter Battery 481-3004
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. warrants the Original Purchaser of this product
that the product is free from defects of material and workmanship under normal use
and service for a period of one (1) year from the date of the original purchase. If with-
in one (1) year from the date of that original purchase, this product is found to be
defective in material or workmanship under normal use or service, Specialized Bicycle
Components Inc. will, at its sole option, repair or replace the product without charge;
provided that the Original Purchaser returns the product, securely packaged, postage
prepaid to: Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., 15130 Concord Circle, Morgan Hill,
CA. 95037, Attn: FireBalls Warranty. Be sure to include a letter indicating the specific
reasons for returning the product and proof of date of purchase.
THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO, AND IS VOID AS TO, DEFECTS OR PHYSI-
CAL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ABUSE, NEGLECT, IMPROPER REPAIR, IMPROPER
FIT, ALTERATIONS, MODIFICATIONS OR USE CONTRARY TO THAT INTENDED BY
THE MANUFACTURER. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW,
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
USE OR PURPOSE IS LIMITED IN DURATION OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. SPECIAL-
IZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY ACCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY BREACH OF ANY
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ON THIS PRODUCT. THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLU-
SIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ALL
OTHER REMEDIES, GUARANTIES OR LIABILITIES ARISING BY LAW OR OTHERWISE.
NOTE: This warranty does not pertain to bulbs or batteries.
No person or representative is authorized to assume any liability on behalf of
Specialized Bicycle components, Inc. in connection with the sale of this product. Some
states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages
or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation or exclu-
sion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights which vary from state to state.
FireBalls is a registered trademark of Specialized Bicycle Components Inc.
© 1999 Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. 6