Yes they cloud if you allow direct sun into the lenses. This has happened with a pair of through beams (HL 2-32) that I have. Instead of waiting 2 months for them to have a vacation to Switzerland I decided to go at it myself. Take off the cover like you are going to change the batteries. Remove the 5 small phillips head screws and take off the cover with the battery tray. You can then remove the lens unit from the rest of the case (it will slide out) and easily clean it. With the lenses removed you can notice spots on the ABS plastic case has been melted from the sun, causing the clouding. I am very anxious to see the DBH racing sunsheild to help eliminate this chore. Time to clean 2 sets of HL 2-32 cells, 30 minutes. Do it yourself!!

PS I do remember trying to do this with an older HL 2-11 and found more sealed parts, not easy to clean.

Just cleaned an older (ser.#760) HL 2-31 photocell and found it the same as the HL 2-32, clean it yourself!

BTW the scars on the inside plastic from the burning/ melting are amazing. You would be cloudy too!

[This message was edited by John on February 27, 2003 at 09:08 PM.]

Just opened up some of my cells and cleaned as described. The lens unit did not want to slide out easily until i flexed the wings of the case out and then it released. The melted ABS plastic case is a site to see. Solar energy at its finest. The TAG Visor is still undergoing testing but all results are positive.

Ok so it is not quite ready for comercial sales but you get the idea. Notice that the sun is low and directly into the photocell as shown by the shadow from the post. The visor blocks all but a small bit at the bottom. Protoype features high strength NASTAR adhesives bearing the race crews favorite bib number

tagvisor.jpg (47 Kb, 101 downloads) Tag Visor

Are those posts notched??

Just checking

This time around I took pictures of the cleaning process. Even with the picture taking it took less than 30 minutes for two cells. This first shot is taking out the five phillips head screws that hold the battery tray.

DSCF0001s.jpg (36 Kb, 61 downloads) remove the battery tray screws

Use a small screwdriver or the like to remove the battery tray. Look for the seam on the top and bottom of the cell

DSCF0003s.jpg (31 Kb, 55 downloads)

Gently remove the battery tray and place to the side.

DSCF0004s.jpg (49 Kb, 51 downloads) Battery tray to the side

Gently flex the top/ bottom of the housing to release the lens assembly.

DSCF0005s.jpg (30 Kb, 46 downloads)

The lens will slide up and out of the housing.

DSCF0006s.jpg (38 Kb, 57 downloads)

Take a appropriate cloth and clean. You may need windex or the like for stubborn film. Put it all back together and return to service!

DSCF0007s.jpg (29 Kb, 55 downloads)

This is a close up of the melted plastic. Look at the black plastic struts on the top and bottom of the case that have melted. White smokey residue on the side.

DSCF0008s.jpg (41 Kb, 69 downloads)

Anonther season and another cleaning. This time I also cleaned the emiter and reciver on the circuit board. Windex is definatly the ticket and cuts the film quick and easy.