Maglight bulb ratings

Minimoog

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Maglite don't publish bulb ratings as such and I was interested so made up a 'Mag bulb tester' using calibrated power supply, modified Mag bulb holder fitted with sense cables and so here are my findings. Was quite an interesting excersise. I'm missing two bulbs - and will order them up to test.

Solitaire: Vacuum, 1.25V, 0.2A, 0.25W

2 AA / AAA: Vacuum, 2.4V, 0.3A 0.71W. Xenon 2.4V, 0.37A, 0.9W

2 Cell: Krypton 2.4V, 0.75A, 1.75W. Krypton+ 2,4V, 0.85A, 2.05W. PR Xenon 2.4V, 0.78A 1.85W. Bi-pin Xenon 2.4V, 0.9A, 2.15W

3 Cell: Krypton USA 3.6V, 0.65A. 2.32W, Krypton HK 3.6V, 0.75A, 2.64W. PR Xenon 3.6V, 0.86A, 3.10W. Bi-pin Xenon 3.6V, 0.9A, 3.24W

4 Cell: Krypton 4.8V, 0.65A, 3.1W. Krypton+ 4.8V, 0.85A, 4.05W. PR Xenon 4.8V, 0.825A 3.95W. Bi-pin Xenon 4.8V, ?A, ?W

5 Cell: Krypton 6V, 0.675A, 4.05W. Krypton+ 6V, 0.85A, 5.05W. PR Xenon 6V, ?A ?W. Bi-pin Xenon 6V, 0.9A, 5.35W

6 Cell: Krypton 7.2V, 0.66A, 4.75W. Krypton+ 7.2V, 0.80A, 5.8W. PR Xenon 7.2V, 0.85A 6.15W. Bi-pin Xenon 7.2V, 0.85A 6.15W

7 Cell: (Philips) Argon 8.6V, 0.51A, 4.4W

So it looks like we have earlier 'non Mag+' Kryptons with lower consumption followed later by the + variant with higher power. Was this mentioned on the packaging 'new higher power' or similar? Is quite a difference.

I'll add as I find any new bulbs. Hope this was of some interest.
 
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LiftdT4R

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Here's what I have from the few years I've been collecting. The list is from earliest to newest and also dimmest to brightest. The Vacuum/Argon bulbs are the dimmest and the Xenon bulbs are the brightest.

Argon/Vacuum Bulbs,Generic

2 Cell - PR02 - 2.4V - 1.7 Watts - 16 Lumen
3 Cell - PR03 - 3.6V - 1.8 Watts - 21 Lumen
4 Cell - PR13 - 4.8V - 2.4 Watts - 29 Lumen
5 Cell - PR12 - 6.0V - 3.0 Watts - 38 Lumen
6 Cell - PR18 - 7.2V - 4.0 Watts - 61 Lumen
7 Cell - PR20 - 8.6V - 4.3 Watts - 63 Lumen

Availability: In production

Original Run: Sourced from Philips from 1979 until ~1983

Notes: PR bulbs were designed for automotive use so no 7 Cell bulb was really available for this application. The bulb is rated for a low voltage and therefore isn't very bright.

Average Efficiency: 10 - 15 Lumen/Watt


Krypton Bulbs, the original Magnum Star Bulb, design later changed to a proprietary Mag design. Stamped as MSA-1 through MSA-7 but actually a KPR bulb.

2 Cell - KPR102 - 2.4V - 1.7 Watts - 17 Lumen
3 Cell - KPR103 - 2.4V - 2.7 Watts - 34 Lumen
4 Cell - KPR113 - 4.8V - 3.6 Watts - 51 Lumen
5 Cell - KPR112 - 6.0V - 4.5 Watts - 75 Lumen
6 Cell - KPR118 - 7.2V - 5.4 Watts - 100 Lumen
7 Cell - KPR120 - 12.0V - 8.4 Watts - 151 Lumen (calculated)

Availability: In production as generic bulbs

Original Run: ~1984 until ~1992

Notes: KPR bulbs were designed for flashlights and the 7 Cell bulb was properly designed to increase life and brightness.

Average Efficiency: 15 - 18 Lumen/Watt


Krypton Bulbs, Mag proprietary design marketed as Magnum Star and then White Star when Magnum Star was changed to denote Xenon fill

2 Cell - LWSA201 - No data available, likely re-stamped LWSA301 or KPR102, ~20 lumens
3 Cell - LWSA301 - 3.7V - 2.6 Watts - 39 Lumen
4 Cell - LWSA401 - 5.2V - 3.6 Watts - 76 Lumen
5 Cell - LWSA501 - 6.3V - 4.4 Watts - 88 Lumen
6 Cell - LWSA601 - 7.5V - 5.3 Watts - 105 Lumen

Availability: Discontinued but NOS still available

Original Run: ~1992 until ~1999 as Magnumstar and ~2000 until 2012 as White Star

Notes: These are the first proprietary Mag Instrument bulbs. The rated voltages were increased to closer match the number of cells to increase life and brightness.

Average Efficiency: 18 - 20 Lumen/Watt


Xenon Bulbs, marketed as Magnum Star

2 Cell - LMSA201 - No data available, likely re-stamped LMSA301, ~25 lumens
3 Cell - LMSA301 - 3.8V - 3.2 Watts - 45 Lumen
4 Cell - LMSA401 - 5.3V - 4.2 Watts - 81 Lumen
5 Cell - LMSA501 - 6.3V - 4.9 Watts - 98 Lumen
6 Cell - LMSA601 - 7.6V - 5.9 Watts - 129 Lumen
7 Cell - LMSA701 - no data available, likely not produced in Xenon, Krypton version was likely a re-stamped KPR120

Availability: Discontinued but NOS still available

Original Run: ~2000 until 2012

Notes: I'm not sure if Mag Instrument ever produced a Xenon 7 Cell bulb. I can't find any data on one and since Xenon bulbs weren't introduced until ~2000 and 7Cs were discontinued in 1989 and 7Ds in 1982 it's doubtful. These model numbers were used for the Krpyton bulbs as well before they were re-branded as White Stars prior to ~2000.

Average Efficiency: 20 - 22 Lumen/Watt


Bi-Pin Xenon Bulbs, Marketed as Magnumstar II

2 Cell - LMXA201 - 27 lumens
3 Cell - LMXA301 - 45 Lumen
4 Cell - LMXA401 - 98 Lumen
5 Cell - LMXA501 - 151 Lumen
6 Cell - LMXA601 - 178 Lumen

Availability: Current Production

Original Run: 2012 to Present

Notes: These are fairly new and all I was able to find was the lumen ratings. I don't think Mag has released any specs and I don't think any independent testing has been performed.
 
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LiftdT4R

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So it looks like we have earlier 'non Mag+' Kryptons with lower consumption followed later by the + variant with higher power. Was this mentioned on the packaging 'new higher power' or similar? Is quite a difference.

I believe the Krypton bulb labelled Mag+ are going to be White Stars which are the LWSA model proprietary design and the regular Krypton bulbs are the original Magnum Star bulbs which were a generic KPR model just rebranded.

I have some of this info on my blog at: http://maglitehistory.blogspot.com/2017/05/pr-flange-base-bulb-specs.html although I haven't updated it with all of the info I have yet.
 
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bykfixer

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John 3:16
ffoF3pp.jpg


uqlEdVm.jpg


Here ya go...
A krypton
 
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LiftdT4R

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Those are the original Magnum Star bulbs in Krypton before Mag changed the branding on Krpytons to White Star and used Magnum Star for their Xenon line. The old Magnumstars are stamped MSA-1 through 7. They are actually a KPR bulb rebranded by Maglite and KPRs can still be purchased. I've seen collectors pay high prices for these which is odd to me unless you're out for the old packaging because a new KPR bulb can be had on the cheap.
 
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bykfixer

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John 3:16
Yup, memotronics has KPR's in boxes of 10 for like $5 or so.

Zbattery lists 7 cell bulbs in their Maglite parts section. Reportedly they are German made NOS, probably krypton bulbs.

I've found Maglite bulbs to be "tough" versus my vintage bulbs. Example I can use a 3 cell Mag krypton in a 4 cell light with alkalines and get lots of hours where a TungSol argon with carbon zinc batteries lasts oh, maybe 3 minutes or so. And TungSol were automotive purposed.
 

1pt21

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Excellent info here!! Thanks to the contributors!
 

LiftdT4R

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I added lumens, volts and watts where I have them. I take back my earlier comments I cannot find any trace of a Xenon 7 Cell bulb. The Xenon bulbs didn't come out until 2000 or so and the 7C would have been discontinued for 11 years by then so it's doubtful any were made. I think they're all going to be Kryptons. I have current and life hours on some of these bulbs too if there's any interest in that I can add it to my list.
 

LiftdT4R

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