Frequently Asked Questions about the Down Low Glow:

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  Answers to the most common 'non-customer' questions:
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  What's powering that?
• The Down Low Glow runs off a small rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery that straps to your frame with a velcro and rubber fitting called a TwoFish bike block. You do not need a water bottle cage to hold the battery. NiMH batteries are considered the best kind of rechargeables -- they are light weight, do not have 'memory' like NiCad, are safer than Lithium, and are environmentally safer than other batteries.
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• How long does the battery last?
• The battery can recharge between 500-1000 times before it fades in strength. If you take care not to overcharge it, it will last closer to 1000 recharge cycles.
  
  
• No, I mean how long does it last each time you use it?
  
• Oh, sorry. The Down Low Glow runs for about 2.5 hours bright on a fully charged battery. After 2.5 hours, you'll see the light recede in the tubes for about 15-30 minutes until there's only a glint of light left. Time to recharge!

• How do I charge the battery?
• The system comes with a wall charger that plugs right in to the rechargeable battery. You just take the battery off your bike by undoing a Velcro strap, bring it into the house and connect it to the wall charger for about 10-12 hours. The instructions for charging are printed on the back of the charger! We also sell smart chargers that take only 2.5 hours to charge the battery.
• Wouldn't it be cheaper / cooler / more human powered / lighter / etc. if the lights ran off a generator instead of the battery?
  Wheel generators are pretty cool, and they are even better for the environment than rechargeable batteries. But believe it or not, the good ones are much more expensive than batteries. The cheap ones aren't nearly as dependable as batteries. They are far more susceptible to rust and wear.
  
  But the main thing is, vain as this may seem, most of our customers like to show off their Down Low Glow when their bikes are stopped. At traffic lights, in front of bars, outside their houses, etc. And if you're not moving, a generator won't put out any voltage. So you're lights would be off at just the moment when you want them to glow the brightest. You could rig a way to 'store' voltage for just those moments, but then you'd need a battery and a generator.
• Are those tubes made of glass?
• No, they're made of indestructibe thermoplastic, just like the kind used in bulletproof glass. If you get into a crash, there's no danger of the tubes shattering and cutting your legs.
• How long do the neon tubes last?
  They're rated at over 15000 hours. Just keep them clean and they'll last forever.

• How much does it all weigh?
• The whole system adds a little over a pound to your bike. Most of that weight is in the battery. The tubes themselves are featherweight. Leave the tubes on your bike and put the battery on only when you need it. You won't notice the weight. It's all kept low on the bike anyway so the center of gravity stays low, right where you want it.

• Will the DLG fit my a) 20" Lowrider? b) Recumbent? c) Full Suspension mountain bike? d) Chopper? e) Racing bike? f) Tandem?
  
• Yes, yes, and yes. The mounting system is very flexible and can be mounted on almost any bike.
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  A 20-inch BMX bike with the Down Low Glow
  
  

  If you are concerned about the fit on your bike , make sure to note this when you place your order. In particular, if your bike's down tube has a concave curve -- meaning it curves in toward the seat instead of out toward the road -- please let us know before purchasing the Down Low Glow.
  
  

• An example of concave curve on a bicycle's down tube. The concave down tube requires a slightly different mounting kit from the straight or convex down tube, so please be sure to note that when you place your order. There is no extra charge for this mounting kit, but asking for it ahead of time will allow you to get started quicker with your Down Low Glow.
• Can it get stolen from my bike?
• Yes, the Down Low Glow could be easily stolen by someone who knows what it is and how it installs. When turned off, the DLG is very low profile, nearly invisible. To minimize the chance of theft, you can take the battery pack inside with you.
• Can't I make something like that myself by going to a sign shop and buying some neon?
• You could certainly try doing that. And we encourage the process of discovery and tinkering that would begin when you set out on that quest. However, you should know that you probably won't save any money by making your own ground effects. Rechargeable batteries are expensive when you buy them one at a time. Also, the tubes will probably not be shock proof, and you may risk destroying them (and cutting yourself) in a crash.
• How does it attach to my bike? Is it hard to install?
• Not at all. The system comes with a full mounting kit that contains all the plastic and rubber pieces and Velcro cinch straps you need. The owner's manual takes you through the installation process step by step. Depending on which model you buy, you get either one or two light tubes.

	The green box shows the placement of the front light tube.
	The green box shows the placement of the rear light tube. The rear light tube goes on the side of the bike that does NOT have the chain and gears on it.
	The green box shows the placement of the battery.

• Is it legal / Is that a gang thing?
• Laws vary from community to community. Most police we've talked are either supportive or indifferent to the Down Low Glow. Police are generally focused on protecting against more 'serious' offenses than bicycle related crime. Just ask anyone who's had a bike stolen and gone to the police office for help!
• Also, many of the people who buy the DLG would not have any other safety products on their bikes. The DLG helps keep them safe when they ride at night, and any police officer can appreciate the benefit of that.
• The Down Low Glow is NOT a gang thing. This is a product that helps people enjoy their night rides, show off a little to their friends, and stay safe when they're riding through the city at night. It has nothing to do with violence, drug dealing, tagging, etc. etc. Bikes are part of the solution, not part of the problem. If everyone rode bikes around their neiborhoods instead of cars and SUVs, we'd probably have fewer traffic accident, tighter communities, better understanding between neighbors, and maybe even less gang violence.
• Have you heard of Hokey Spokes / Tireflys? Is your product better or worse than those?
• Yes, not only have we heard of Hokey Spokes, but we've seen it too! They make a really great product that allows you to spell out words and patterns with special lights that mount in your wheels. It's fun to use and it offers great side visibility. Tireflys make some fun and affordable products that can improve your safety.
  The Down Low Glow offers a very different effect from these products, so we try not to make better/worse comparisons. If you are drawn to Hokey Spokes, go for it! If you're drawn to the DLG, go for it! The world will be a better place when lots of people are out at night with stunningly illuminated bikes that inspire others to ride too.
  The
• What kind of warranty does it come with?
• The Down Low Glow comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a 1-year warranty. We are so sure you'll love the lights, we'll refund your purchase completeley if you're anything but 100% satisfied with the product. We also have an excellent customer service policy. If you have any problems with your lights, contact us to obtain the necessary replacement parts. Depending on the cause of breakage, we'll replace or fix your lights at little or no cost to you.
• Can I ride in wet conditions?
• The Down Low Glow is designed to be water-resistant through light rain and puddles. However, if your night rides take you through sustained downpours, you must take steps to protect the battery and power driver against water penetration. Consider wrapping the driver box and battery with Ziplock bags.

• Is the Down Low Glow bright enough for city riding?
• In urban riding, the Down Low Glow provides superior front and side visibility, and ample rear visibility, to ensure cars will see you from all angles. If you ride underneath street lights, you should not need any additional light. If you ride beyond street lights, you may wish to consider getting a bright LED front light for additional light, such as Planet Bike's Dual Spot or Spot 3.

• Is the Down Low Glow bright enough / tough enough for trail riding?
• The Down Low Glow will enhance any night ride, especially an off-road ride. The shockproofing is robust enough to handle roots, rocks, jumps, etc. However, on its own, the downward facing light of the Down Low Glow is not sufficient to illuminate the trail ahead for safe trail riding. Make sure you also use a high powered front headlight, such as Light and Motion Solo Logic.

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  Common customer questions:
  
  
• Can I recharge my battery, even if I have not fully drained it?
• You can recharge your battery after a partial or full cycle of use. The Down Low Glow comes with a NiMH battery, which means there is no 'memory' effect.
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• I just charged my battery for 12 hours like it said in the owner's manual, but the lights look like they're still running on an empty battery. Do I have a dead battery?
• NO. Most likely, your battery is fine, but is probably still empty. How come? You may have not flipped the switch to ON before charging. If the power switch on the battery is in the OFF position, no charging will happen. Check to make sure the switch on the battery is in the ON position while charging.
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• Do I need to clean my Down Low Glow light tubes?
• If road grime accumulates on the light tubes, wipe them down with a soft cloth and some dish soap. The Down Low Glow tubes scratch easily, so avoid scratching or scouring your light tubes.
  
• How will I know if my battery is fully charged?
• The battery will be slightly warm to to the touch when it is fully charged. If you purchase one of our smart chargers, you'll know the battery is charged then the green light comes on.
• Is it possible to overcharge my battery?
• Yes. Leaving your battery on the charger for days on end will eventually shorten its working life. Everyone will forget to take the battery off the charger once or twice, and doing so will not ruin the battery. However, you should try not to make it a habit.
• Disconnect your battery from the charger or turn the battery's switch to OFF when it is warm to the touch, or after 12 hours, whichever comes first.
  
• What should I do with my battery after it has lived its full life and served me well for 500-1000 charge cycles?
• Great question! Please do not toss the rechargeable battery pack in the trash. Bring it instead to a battery recycling center so that it can be properly disposed of or recycled. In many parts of the country, this is as simple as stopping by your local Safeway, Walgreens, Kragen, etc. Tossing batteries (rechargeable or alkaline) in the trash causes a potential heavy metal contamination of local ground water, and can destroy the habitat of local fish and other species. Even though NiMH batteries are considered environmentally safer than NiCad or lead acid, they still pose a risk. So do the responsible thing, and bring it to a battery recycling center. Replacement batteries for the Down Low Glow are always available at the Fossil Fool Store.
• I lost my owner's manual. Can you send me another one?
• Sure, email techinfo@fossilfool.com with your mailing address. Alternatively, you can download the most current owner's manual.
• Who do I call if my lights break or don't work?
• Please call 1-888-DLG-BIKE or email techinfo@fossilfool.com. In most cases (depending on circumstances of breakage) we will ship you replacement parts at little or no cost to you.