I currently sell the Photon II and the CMG Infinity lights. I saw that someone on eBay was selling a LED MAGLITE, it uses 3 "N" batteries. Have anyone ever seen one? Is it bright? The guy says not as bright as the original. I don't know what he means by "original" It has to be brighter that a regular Maglite AA or AAA flashlight because it is a LED bulb correct? Please respond a.s.a.p.
From your description, I'd say he's stuffed 3 N cells into the AA maglite, then put a T1 LED into the bi-pin socket (they fit) - it'll work - but definitely not as bright since the T1 LEDs are nowhere near the T1-3/4 LEDs.
I would also bet it is the T1 LED or maybe the bigger one with the reflector made larger. Either way the brightest 5mm (T 1 3/4) LED is 5600mcd (photon II and infinity) and that is still quite a bit dimmer than the small lamps that are in the mini mags. Actually that was my first LED light, and I still have it, but it is way dim even compared to an infinity.
That's another one of mine. It uses a 5600 mcd Nichia running at 20 ma for long life. (Even running continuously it doesn't dim for over 20 hours. Probably provide at least double that with recovery time for the batteries)
For you Flashlight-aholics I'd be glad to make it running the LED at about 70 ma so it would be as bright as a turtlelight(I). I'll have to test the battery life with that setup to see if it's practical and would sell.
One of the advantages of my design is that I use a resistor "block" in with the batteries, so if you choose to run with 2 AA's they don't have to fight a built-in resistor. (It's brighter than I thought is would be on 2 AAs and lasts a loooooooong time.)
I have a 2 AA cells Led maglite that I bought from HTS and its light was so dim that I consider it useless.
So while reading your idea of using N cells to replace the AA cell, I drops 2 N cells and a AAA cell to the maglite and bravo, the maglite now give out light that is twice the brightness of the Infinity.
Anyone could tell me if there were any problem of mixing N cells with AAA cell in a flashlight?
I could'nt use 3 N cells because the length would be shorter than the 2 AA cells.
I think mixing the cells will eventually cause the lower capacity one(s) to leak on you because the higher capacity one will end up charging it.
I use a brass slug that I machine to take up the extra space with 3 "N" cells. It must go in last to avoid shorting out the batteries that would otherwise go in after it. I also have one that uses a plexiglass slug with a resistor in it to cut down the ma draw and increase battery life, but using a resistor with one LED is so inefficient (the resistor uses about 40% of the juice!) that I mostly do the brass slug now. It runs at about 32 ma. Nice and bright and still about 3 times the life of the stock setup.
I changed my setup again. 3 N cells and no resistor now. Runs at 32 ma. I'm very happy with it. I was surprised that the 3 N cells only ran it at 32 ma. Must be the internal resistance. Not quite as bright as the original bulb, but pretty bright and the focusing works well. Better than replacing the incandescent every few sets of batteries or after each time I drop it!
I was wondering if someone could explain this to me in newbie LED terms (since I've never done a mod and would like to do a minimag-to-LED mod:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>From your description, I'd say he's stuffed 3 N cells into the AA maglite, then put a T1 LED into the bi-pin socket (they fit) - it'll work - but definitely not as bright since the T1 LEDs are nowhere near the T1-3/4 LEDs.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Anyone have any suggestions for me on doing my first minimag to LED mod?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ChrisM: I was wondering if someone could explain this to me in newbie LED terms (since I've never done a mod and would like to do a minimag-to-LED mod:
Anyone have any suggestions for me on doing my first minimag to LED mod?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
ChrisM,
To do the simplest Minimag-AA-to-LED mod, you'll need:
- 3x 'N' cells (each is 1.5V, LEDs run happily on 3.6 volts or thereabout, so this will be overdriving it a bit)
- 1 nichia 5mm or 3mm LED (color of your choice - most of us here like white). If you can get them, the best white 5mm nichia LEDs have this part no. NSPW500BS. If you're feeling adventurous, try out the 3mm part, which I *think* is NSPW310. The trailing B and S in the 5mm part no. refers to the color and brightness ranking. Not sure if they have the same nomenclature for the 3mms though.)
- 1 spacer (can be made of foil, a bolt/screw, a spring - almost anything electrically conductive)
To do this mod:
- Remove the old bi-pin bulb from the Mag.
- Put 2 AA batteries in the light first for testing.
- Take a 3mm/5mm LED and snip off the excess lead so that the legs are about the same length as that of the original Maglight bi-pin.
- Stick the LED legs into the bi-pin socket, never mind polarity for now - that's why the 2AAs are there. If the LED lights up - great! That means polarity is correct. If no light emerges, try wiggling it a little, and if still no light comes forth, switch the pins around. Once you've found the correct orientation, try to find a way to make a note of it.
- Now that polarity has been found, replace the 2AAs with 3Ns. The 3Ns are quite a bit shorter than 2AAs, that's why you'll need a spacer. Experiment around with foil first before settling on a final spacer.
- Assuming the light portion is now working, if you are using a 5mm LED, you'll need to bore out the bulb hole of the minimag's reflector to fit a 5mm. If you chose the 3mm LED, there's no need for this (hurray!). Just use a good pointy knifeblade or scissors to scrape away the excess material until the 5mm LED just fits.
- You're done! If you have xtra LEDs around, try grinding down the LED lens to almost the die and you might even have some ability to focus the beam!
Good Luck - hope this helps! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
In addition to Hotfoot's excellent instructions, you most likely will have to grind the "stop tabs" off of the LED leads. I do this using a Dremel tool with an oxide cutting wheel. This will allow the LED to be fully seated in the fixture.
I use the 2-N + 1-AAA (with NO resistors) in my mini-mag mod and have not experienced any problems with leakage, explosions or pimple outbreaks.
This single LED light is the brightest one that I own. It stomps the sh*t out of my Longlife, Rebel, Stylus, inova keychain, and dimfinity LED lights hands down...
Unfortunately, I do not know the manufacturor of the white LED that I used (from a local electronic supply house).
Most excellent! Thanks a bunch for the explanations and instructions. Now, all I need to do is get my hands on some various colored LED's...got any extras you'd care to donate?
I do have a question about this:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>If you have xtra LEDs around, try grinding down the LED lens to almost the die and you might even have some ability to focus the beam!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
What is the die? What do I grind it down with? And, if I don't grind it down, will it be focusable?
Also, in doing my browsing, it seems that the LED's come in varying VCD ratings. What ratings do I need to look for for this mod?
ChrisM, I appreciate you locating this older thread. It is one that was overlooked when our Mod forum was established, and didn't get moved into it's new home.
The Mod forum has a very high degree of experience in mods, and can provide some excellent advice.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ChrisM: Hotfoot & Slick
Most excellent! Thanks a bunch for the explanations and instructions. Now, all I need to do is get my hands on some various colored LED's...got any extras you'd care to donate?
I do have a question about this:
What is the die? What do I grind it down with? And, if I don't grind it down, will it be focusable?
Also, in doing my browsing, it seems that the LED's come in varying VCD ratings. What ratings do I need to look for for this mod?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You're welcome, ChrisM - BTW, heard the bump [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
The die is actually found in that tiny reflector cup built into the LED. Some mod folks here (like me) use sandpaper or a file (even a nailfile will do) to remove the upper 2-3mm or so of clear epoxy such that only a thin layer remains covering the reflector cup(and die). This has the effect of removing the focusing effect of the LED's epoxy lens, which by default is very narrow and will largely bypass the optics and reflector of most flashlights, minimag 2aa included. By sanding down the epoxy, you widen the beam considerably, allowing it to be harvested by the reflector and redirected as desired. If you leave the LED untouched, you *might* get a tiny amount of sidespill light that can be caught and reflected(ie. 'focused'), but seriously - not to any significant or useful degree.
LEDs come in mcd(millicandelas) ratings. A good nichia 5mm can range from 5600mcd to 8000+mcd, depending on batch, age, sorting...etc.etc. That's why the part no. is so important when ordering - it *tries* to ensure that you get what you want. I understand that this practice may no longer be supported in future, so get what you can now.
I'd strongly recommend getting the 3mm if you wanna try focusing as it comes with a wider beam angle by default.
Sanding down the LED is easy - polishing it flat and to a clear smoothness it much harder, but not entirely necessary.
Search the other threads using "white LED" as a search parameter, you'll turn up tons more info, including where to get 'em and how much they cost.
I probably won't hear the next bump - its 5:15AM here and I haven't hit the sack yet, so g'night fer now [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
As far as working with different colors, I have modded a total of 4 mini-mag (and like type lights) with single LED's in white, green, blue, and red.
Both the red and green LED's were 10,000 MCD pieces that I picked up for about $4 a pop. The white was the same price, but the output rating was not printed on the package.
Keep in mind that there are differing voltage requirements for the various colors. The white & green I drive direct at 4.5 volts. The red LED doesn't like more than 3 volts. I fried the blue one pushing it at 4.5 volts, but it was an LED that I scavanged from something else so I'm not sure of it's ratings.
Not being much of an expert, I test the mA that is drawn by the LED at a given voltage and observe whether or not the mA increases during the test run. If power consumption continues to climb, I interpret this as "thermal runaway" and try a lower voltage. I don't like to use resistors unless I absolutely have to, as I see them as a waste of good current. Obviously I like to overdrive these LED's a bit, so if you do too, expect to blow one up here and there. At least they're not $14 like a Luxeon - where I tend to be more conservative.
As far as grinding down an LED to make it focus, I have never tried it. By their very physical nature, I don't expect an LED to be "focusable". However, I can tell you that the mini-mag reflector will collect the small amount of "side-spill" light and direct it forwards.
I have heard that others use toothpaste to polish their ground down LED's. When I need to polish plastic (very seldom), I use green chrome rouge on a polishing wheel that I use mostly for polishing aluminum. There is a specific rouge made for polishing plastic, but I haven't tried it yet. The best tip I have here (for power polishing) is to GO VERY SLOWLY and don't let the piece heat up - or you'll likely ruin it.
These are really easy & fun mods to play around with, so jump right in and go for it.
Cool...I'm getting all excited!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]
Now, I've been shopping for some LED's of varying colors but I'm almost positive the white ones I've found aren't rated that high. Where can I get some of those? The one source I've been told about is that one guy who sells them directly but he's unavailable for like another month and I really don't want to wait that long! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I buy mine locally... You could try calling everyone in your phone book and ask for "high intensity" whites or whatever (which is what I did). But if you look around the board for a while, you'll find some links to various electronics supply houses that carry them.
Well, I know calling around here won't work. I live just south of BFE, Wyoming [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
I've been doing some shopping around online but haven't had luck finding places that don't require a minimum $50 purchase or places that sell the higher quality 5600-8000mcd white LED's.
I've even posted a "WTB" on here in the trading post with no luck yet [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jbechto: I use a brass slug that I machine to take up the extra space with 3 "N" cells. It must go in last to avoid shorting out the batteries that would otherwise go in after it. I also have one that uses a plexiglass slug with a resistor in it to cut down the ma draw and increase battery life, but using a resistor with one LED is so inefficient (the resistor uses about 40% of the juice!) that I mostly do the brass slug now. It runs at about 32 ma. Nice and bright and still about 3 times the life of the stock setup.
John (jbechto@utm.net)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm trying to get the parts to do this mod as my very first mod. Do you have any extra slugs you made that you could sell me?
Well, as soon as I can get some LED's, I'll probably try filing one down, I really like the idea of being able to focus the light.
Now, if only I could find someone to tell me what sort of conductive "slug" I should use to take up the extra space that will exist from using 3 N cells. Maybe something I can make from a limited supply from home or buy at a hardware store ...
Try a dowel rod the diameter of the inside of your tube and the length you need. Then drill a 1/16th inch hole a little ways in (1/4 inch?) and the rest of the ways with something a bit smaller. Then, if you decide you need resistance, push a regular small quarter watt resister in the hole. It should fit snugly in the 1/16th inch hole (if I remember what I did right) and then fold the leads and curl them up a bit. I made mine in a spiral and it works great on my solitaire 12v mod. If you DON"T want resistance, you can use flexible wire in the hole and sprial the ends flat with the dowel rod. I used solder instead of a resistor since it is real easy to slip in and wind into a spiral.
Now, I read on here somewhere that in this mod, some LED colors required resistance and others did not. Anyone know where that post is or what colors do/don't require resistance when running off about 4.5v?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ChrisM: Now, I read on here somewhere that in this mod, some LED colors required resistance and others did not. Anyone know where that post is or what colors do/don't require resistance when running off about 4.5v?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Give this a try - http://www.bgmicro.com/pdf/page1.pdf I had a difficult time finding good leds too. I just kept searching various online vendors until I found a couple like the one above - no minimum order. Good luck!
1 - If you use the white or turquoise LED's, you really won't want to use any resistance. The blue-green LED is very nice and bright, but monochrome so you can't tell colors at night ... but I think it makes the brightest light mod for the $$. The N cells overdrive the LED, but their internal resistance keeps the LED from going into thermal runaway (at least in my experience).
2. The simplest 'plug' is to buy a spring from your local hardware store and to stretch it a bit to fit. I did that, but the battery rattled so I took out the spring, went back to the hardware store and bought a stove bolt the right diameter to fit inside the tube and cut it to the length I needed. I wrapped it in a layer or two of paper (glued onto the bolt) and no more rattle.
This is a fun mod. BG Micro is a good supplier for smaller orders and you'll be happy with the final mod. Its what got me hooked into modifications.
Coolies!
However, my first shipment of LED's due anyday are 2 whites and 2 blues. They're both Nichia's and according to the specs I read on their website, both handle the same voltage. I do plan on getting all the different LED color eventually so I know I'll have to use some resitance so I've ordered 2 packs of 10 Ohm 1/4 watt resistors. Also, by using 1 AAA and 2 N cells, they fit tight enough to eliminate the need for a plug or spring, although, I am stopping by the hardware store this evening to pick up a couple anyway...besides, I'm not sure what stove bolt is! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
LED Maglite that runs on N batteries
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