So finally "excess" funds has been funneled into this project and £85~$136 worth of NiMh D cells are under the way from UK to Denmark.
A FET has been installed to assist the original switch and a charging jack has been added.
Some resistance mods has been made.
The pics:
The switch has been cut down in the lathe to allow flattop cells. The original positive track to the switch is kept intact but a brass disc runs a 20AWG directly to the FET. A 24AWG runs to the charging jack.
The negative connection from the switch to the tube is used for the negative charging wire.
The charging jack in the tube
The switch assembly
Proper grounding of the AL111 bulb
Finished wiring
Some resistance fighting on the tail spring
A brass disc to aid in negative contact
The end cap spring fit has been deepened to allow for the front and rear brass discs
Beamshots will come as the cells arrive and are charged.