whats a good lantern to mod with a red LED

Illum · Mar 25, 2010

Forget the 8D lanterns, something that can fit in a duffel.
Is there any lanterns out there that can be modded with a red LED without excessive pulling and prying?

Since white LEDs have a higher foward voltage than reds, either two LEDs will have to be used or a resistor in place if the spatial limitations are a concern.

Any recommendations?

Dave_H · Mar 25, 2010

A bit more info would help...how bright, how rugged do you need,
can you tolerate 5mm LEDs etc.

I would guess something like the Rock River 3AA, but have never
done a mod on one of those (yet).

Dave

Beamhead · Mar 25, 2010

The Osram/Sylvania has a red LED in them, you just need to re-solder the emitter backward.

Illum · Mar 25, 2010

I figured I can refine the results after seeing examples but maybe your right about giving details ahead.

5mms is fine, consider it astronoically friendly [not a high intensity light]
Preferrably dimmable, low mode etc.

Osram/Sylvania lanterns are wonderful, but I can't find any sources around here:candle:

Sure thats right Beam? I haven't found them yet

Lynx_Arc · Mar 25, 2010

there is a resistor in the sylvania lanterns you can replace that should allow you to just use a red cree in them.

TPA · Mar 25, 2010

i don't know if they're still being made, but the CMG Blaze used to come with red LEDs in them:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/cmg_blaze.htm

filibuster · Mar 28, 2010

Illum said:
Osram/Sylvania lanterns are wonderful, but I can't find any sources around here...

Here's a online source for the Sylvania LED lanterns. It's $14 shipped which isn't too bad.

Illum · Mar 28, 2010

filibuster said:
Here's a online source for the Sylvania LED lanterns. It's $14 shipped which isn't too bad.

kool, more for me =P

:thanks:

When I have time I'll break one open and see about modding it

Dave_H · Mar 29, 2010

Illum said:
kool, more for me =P

:thanks:

When I have time I'll break one open and see about modding it

Gotta laugh...I have a cheap dollar-store look-alike of the Sylvania
lantern, which runs on 3AA's. Sanding the clear dome cut down the
glare from four 5mm LEDs. I had it apart, amazingly was able to fit it
back together. Small PCB with LEDs looks easily modifiable. Tiny 5.1
ohm SMT resistor could be increased for red LEDs. Advantage of the
4AA lanterns over this one is possible series connection of two reds,
cutting down battery use.

Dave

Illum · Mar 29, 2010

Dave_H said:
Gotta laugh...I have a cheap dollar-store look-alike of the Sylvania
lantern, which runs on 3AA's. Sanding the clear dome cut down the
glare from four 5mm LEDs. I had it apart, amazingly was able to fit it
back together. Small PCB with LEDs looks easily modifiable. Tiny 5.1
ohm SMT resistor could be increased for red LEDs. Advantage of the
4AA lanterns over this one is possible series connection of two reds,
cutting down battery use.

Dave

I've once taken the Sylvania apart before, one of the cells leaked and it coated the inside [the lantern was not upright when it happened] of the light. I was able to take a picture of the diamond dragon[?] emitter, theres a decent heatsink in the center as well as a driver circuit. I'm pretty certain I can use two red CREEs side by side and if too wide, two red luxeons

Lynx_Arc · Mar 30, 2010

Illum said:
I've once taken the Sylvania apart before, one of the cells leaked and it coated the inside [the lantern was not upright when it happened] of the light. I was able to take a picture of the diamond dragon[?] emitter, theres a decent heatsink in the center as well as a driver circuit. I'm pretty certain I can use two red CREEs side by side and if too wide, two red luxeons

no need for 2 red crees, there is a resistor you can replace with a higher value and drive one cree at whatever you want and on the bottom of the circuit board there is a place you can put another resistor to adjust to low output even more. I have a lantern using a cree XRE Q5 with a 250ma high and ~25ma low instead of 400ma+ high.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/189628&page=6check posts 217+

Illum · Mar 31, 2010

Lynx_Arc said:
no need for 2 red crees, there is a resistor you can replace with a higher value and drive one cree at whatever you want and on the bottom of the circuit board there is a place you can put another resistor to adjust to low output even more. I have a lantern using a cree XRE Q5 with a 250ma high and ~25ma low instead of 400ma+ high.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/189628&page=6check posts 217+

which resistor were you referring to?

Lynx_Arc · Mar 31, 2010

The resistor is R5 on the top side back left (looking from the front switch side). On the last picture it is in front to the left of the chip with HD on it (backwards writtend HD). I don't recall the value of it but I believe increasing the value decreases the current (voltage probably with it). You have to remove it. I would recommend getting a 500-1k ohm pot and dialing it down to match your preferred output, then finding a matching resistor to replace it with. In the second picture there is two pads on the board (by a label GND1) you can put a resistor across and they will adjust output for both levels also. It has been awhile but I figure you could set the high output first and then using the bottom pads adjust the low up/down.

Illum · Mar 31, 2010

Lynx_Arc said:
The resistor is R5 on the top side back left (looking from the front switch side). On the last picture it is in front to the left of the chip with HD on it (backwards writtend HD). I don't recall the value of it but I believe increasing the value decreases the current (voltage probably with it). You have to remove it. I would recommend getting a 500-1k ohm pot and dialing it down to match your preferred output, then finding a matching resistor to replace it with. In the second picture there is two pads on the board (by a label GND1) you can put a resistor across and they will adjust output for both levels also. It has been awhile but I figure you could set the high output first and then using the bottom pads adjust the low up/down.

:thanks:
this is a good starting point. but first I'll severe the LED and measure its current, thats my next weekend activity

Lynx_Arc · Mar 31, 2010

Illum said:
:thanks:
this is a good starting point. but first I'll severe the LED and measure its current, thats my next weekend activity

I never did that, only measurements I made were at the battery input level. one thing I found hard to remember was the plastic C clip on the switch, I kept forgetting how it went on.

whats a good lantern to mod with a red LED

Illum

Flashaholic

Dave_H

Flashlight Enthusiast

Beamhead

Flashlight Enthusiast

Illum

Flashaholic

Lynx_Arc

Flashaholic

TPA

Enlightened

filibuster

Enlightened

Illum

Flashaholic

Dave_H

Flashlight Enthusiast

Illum

Flashaholic

Lynx_Arc

Flashaholic

Illum

Flashaholic

Lynx_Arc

Flashaholic

Illum

Flashaholic

Lynx_Arc

Flashaholic

Similar threads

Latest posts