Streamlight TL-3 mod with Carley1499 bi-pin bulb?

Can I just drop in a Carley 1499 bi-pin bulb in Streamlite TL-3?

I wanted to try the 1499 bulb on a Mag but this required changing the lens and reflector. I think the TL-3 may already have a glass lens and metal reflector.

Also, will the standard 3xCR123s on the TL-3 be able to discharge the required amerage of the 1499 bulb?

Yes, the bulb can go in the TL-3.

The cells will be pushed beyond the recommended manufacturer rating, but many stock lights push the cells even harder than the 1499 bulb will.

For guilt free lumens you should consider using AW's protected 17500 Li-Ion cells.

Sigbjoern

I agree with Lurveleven..
It is a nice setup on 2x AWs new 17500 protected cells, but should work on regular primarys. The beam pattern is kind of ugly compared to stock, but it is a good bit of light.
member.php?u=7400

can also either frost the bulb or put press-n-seal on the lens to clean up the beam - I love mine with frosted bulb - floody yet still throwy:lolsign:

I did....and I would have to say I hope the output is better with rechargeables (I expect it is). I saw no significant improvement with the 1499 over the stock bulb running standard 123's. Might just be my light, but that's the way it looked to me.

ummmm... sounds like something wrong

the litho halogen carley 1499 + newest AW high mAh cells 17500 and progold cleaned contacts from front to back - should be almost double lumens of stock? (mine sure seems to be)

Possibly....but I was using stock non-rechargeables. There was not much difference to my eyes. I compared it with another standard TL-3.

I'm waiting for the litho/Carley lamps to come in so I can try this. The stock lamp stays bright with the 17500 cells whereas primary CR123s don't maintain peak level fir too long.

Anybody get their Carley 1499s from last springs group buy, yet?

jayflash said:

Anybody get their Carley 1499s from last springs group buy, yet?

Click to expand...

Nope, I'm waiting on mine too... excited to try it out.

I think part of the "problem'" is 123 cell sag?

someone correct me if I am wrong, but...
the bulb is only getting about 7 volts with 3x123's due to sag vs almost 9 volts with the 2x17500's?
= more overdrive with the 2x17500.
(I imagine the stock bulb life is drastically shortened by the almost 9 volts from the 17500' vs the carley 1499 overdriven life should run about 10 hrs)

The voltage of the 17500s under the same 1.8A load is 3.7V which they will be driving the CA1499 at around 7.4V. Not much overdriving at all when considering the bulb is rated at 7.2V. The difference is brightness I would say is the lower internal resistance of the LiIon cells and the better discharge curve. On the other hand, the CR123s are not designed to work for loads above 1A and their voltage will drop quite drastically under high load + higher internal resistance made them not suitable for high drain hotwire use.

lebox97 said:

I think part of the "problem'" is 123 cell sag?

someone correct me if I am wrong, but...
the bulb is only getting about 7 volts with 3x123's due to sag vs almost 9 volts with the 2x17500's?
= more overdrive with the 2x17500.
(I imagine the stock bulb life is drastically shortened by the almost 9 volts from the 17500' vs the carley 1499 overdriven life should run about 10 hrs)

Click to expand...

....which raises the question: if I'm not going to use your rechargeables (which is a problem because the light is stored in a boat) am I better off using the stock light as opposed to the Carley?

If I were in your position I would stick with the stock bulb, the bit of extra brightness probably isn't worth the runtime hit, especially at $3-$6 per set of cells.

Wouldn't the stock lamp with the 17500 cells provide more worthwhile light for a longer time than primary 123s? CR123 cells are rated at 1300 mAh vs 1100 for the Li-Ions...BUT, 123s won't provide that capacity at the 1.2 amp drain.

Why have a TL-3 if after a few minutes (20??) it's no brighter than, say, a E1e or E2O? Of course you can keep feeding it fresh vegies and keep the beam a healthy WASP white

I suppose that if the light spends most of it's time in storage the Li-Ions would deteriorate from old age after a few years even if seldom used.

Now what does a fool do with his P61 LA? I shoulda known better!