Milkyspit's MC2 Thread (also Milky Tester)

[milkyspit]

Dizney has grabbed the remaining pair of MC2 units I've got built at the moment.


There will be more. Just gotta take a road trip to replenish some parts!

Keep the orders rollin' folks, if you want to make sure you get yours!

Thanks all!

[yaesumofo]

Received mine today.
Cool but no directions onoperation.
Can these be posted?
I get the idea that turning the unit on and off a couple of times quickly in a row enables different modes. What are they?
Thanks
Yaesumofo

flashlight and yaesumofo, got you both confirmed. Many thanks!

[milkyspit]

Have 10 more MC2 bodies and am building these units right now. Still going strong!

Received mine today.
Cool but no directions onoperation.
Can these be posted?
I get the idea that turning the unit on and off a couple of times quickly in a row enables different modes. What are they?
Thanks
Yaesumofo

Mofo, yes, comprehensive directions will be posted, and most likely published in PDF format for download and printing.

In the meantime, you should have gotten a quick tips sheet inside the MC2 baggie. Here's a copy...

Quick Tips.

Unscrew the BOTTOM to install or remove batteries... screw bottom back into place all the way to turn on, or back off just a bit and press inward on the metal washer at bottom for momentary on... a quick press on then off will make the MC2 switch to the next-lower mode next time you turn on the unit, and when at the lowest output, the next such mode change will return to max output... the levels (in order) are HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW, and AMBER. The MC2 will automatically switch to amber when your cells cannot keep the current mode in regulation any longer... sometimes you'll see the unit going back and forth for a short while if the voltage is right at the borderline... when the cells are REALLY depleted, the amber LED will begin pulsating gently, letting you know it's time to look for some more cells! Also, you can unscrew the nylon spacer inside the tailcap to make the spring reach farther into the tube... do this to run with a single 123 cell.

[karlthev]

Hey folks, I buy dang near EVERTHING (ask luxover, he's watching me right now!!) but, not all I buy is useful--you know, actually USING lights for lighting purposes?????? Anyway, I got two of these beauties from MIlky the other week and I can tell you, they are used pret near every night and tough as the tubes they are built of!! Get 'em while they are hot--like right now!!!


Karl

[Loomy]

A light made from a plastic junction, very interesting

[mikeymoto]

Got mine. I've been yearning for something designed to put out a low level of light for a LONG time, and this thing has versatile battery options to boot. Thank you! Of course my wife finds them to be an epitome of guyness..."it's made of PVC!" she says, but I told her should could beautify them to her heart's content. Personalize! Yeah, these are cool. If I could ask for any changes, the only thing I could think of is the "china" stamp on the tube. I'd pay a $1 more for USA tubing. =)

[Archangel]

(grin) I'll agree with that. Is there such a thing?

[milkyspit]

If I could locate suitable "Made In USA" tubes I would certainly use them! FWIW, these PVC tubes may be made in China but are sourced from a "manufacturer" in North Carolina... my guess would be they used to manufacture the things themselves, then sent that part of the operation overseas.


The MC2 itself is made in New Jersey, as my 6-year-old son likes to say!

Among recent shipments...

NetMage: 2 units
RDF: 4 units
Vifam: 2 units




TWO MC2 units built at present and ready to ship... first come, first served! Paypal info in the top post of this thread. (Can make more if you need 'em.)

[flashlight]

If I could locate suitable "Made In USA" tubes I would certainly use them! FWIW, these PVC tubes may be made in China but are sourced from a "manufacturer" in North Carolina... my guess would be they used to manufacture the things themselves, then sent that part of the operation overseas.


The MC2 itself is made in New Jersey, as my 6-year-old son likes to say!

Does he say it like "Nu Joysee"?

[milkyspit]

Does he say it like "Nu Joysee"?

Nope, and neither do I!

[Archangel]

To determine how dead my dead batteries are, i test them on the ZTS CR123A port and if they read <1% (no running LEDs) i immediately test them on the coin cell port. I think the two i'm using now got 40% on the coin cell and so far i've run it for a night on amber and two nights on low_white. (smirk) I might have to bump it up to medium just 'cause i'll get bored of waiting for them to give up the ghost. Does 2xCR2=1xAA size-wise? I wonder if you can squeeze an MC2 into a Tektite Trek Lithium. (pause) Was that out loud?

[milkyspit]

To determine how dead my dead batteries are, i test them on the ZTS CR123A port and if they read <1% (no running LEDs) i immediately test them on the coin cell port. I think the two i'm using now got 40% on the coin cell and so far i've run it for a night on amber and two nights on low_white. (smirk) I might have to bump it up to medium just 'cause i'll get bored of waiting for them to give up the ghost. Does 2xCR2=1xAA size-wise? I wonder if you can squeeze an MC2 into a Tektite Trek Lithium. (pause) Was that out loud?

Pretty close (2xCR2 is just a tad longer than 1AA) and send it over (the Trek Lithium that is)... and yup (out loud)!

BTW, I like your battery "double test" methodology.

[Sway]

I received my MC2 today, I really like it

Thanks Milky!

Later
Kelly

[milkyspit]

I received my MC2 today, I really like it

Thanks Milky!

Later
Kelly

Sweet! Glad you like it, Sway!

[js]

milkyspit,

Don't know why it took me so long to get excited about an MC2--but I certainly am NOW!!! Just read the entire thread. Very impressive. In the best tradition of CPF mod work. You are a true and right honorable gentleman, and I am very thankful for all of your hard work in developing this little beauty.

Although . . . hmm . . . now that I think of it I DO know why it took me so long to jump on this bandwagon:

Your avatar/sig-line picture! You say "Be very afraid" and I think I listened. ewwwwyyyuuuuuueeee! I'm afraid. Very afraid!

LOL!

Anyway, PayPal incoming for one MC2.

[straightblast]

I would like a few of these...Milky, please check your email.

What are you guys finding as runtimes on these?

[milkyspit]

I would like a few of these...Milky, please check your email.

What are you guys finding as runtimes on these?

Straightblast, replied to your email.

As for runtimes, the low white should give about 1000 hours, medium white about 200 hours, and high white about 70 hours... most of the above times in regulation.

[milkyspit]

I would like a few of these...Milky, please check your email.

What are you guys finding as runtimes on these?

STRAIGHTBLAST, check your PM! Now that CPF has returned I sent ya a PM to make sure we're in sync on this.

TO ALL: Got roughly 15 MC2 ASSEMBLIES READY FOR ACTION! First come first served! $55 each, free shipping when ordering multiples, $5 otherwise.

[Tritium]

Hey Milky,

Mine is still running strong on the same Protected 18650 I put in it when I received it. I know it has run for 300 or 400 hours so far.

Thurmond

[Archangel]

I haven't even gotten to my 10% ZTS batteries yet. Even with all-but-dead ones it can run low-white for days.

[PKT]

I'd like one Milky -incoming PP.

Thanks

[PKT]

These are still able to run on R123's?
PP sent for 1
Thanks

[SilverFox]

OK, I have been bitten by the Milky Candle craze, and I just can't believe how versatile it is.

Single or multi cell running.
Regulation.
Two color choices.
3 levels of white.
Runs on primary or rechargeable cells.

It is truly amazing.

The one "feature" I found very entertaining was the realistic candle like flicker as it went through the death throws at the end of the cells life.

I need to point out that it also has some "undocumented" features...

I'll check with Scott and see if it would be OK to go into these. I may have to do a review on the MC2. I must admit that I am quite excited about utilizing its full capabilities.

The capabilities of this light goes beyond understanding... Well, maybe not completely beyond, but it comes pretty close...

Tom

[milkyspit]

These are still able to run on R123's?
PP sent for 1
Thanks

Yes, no problem with running on R123's... although there's really no advantage to using the second R123, might as well use one... you'll still get white output for most of the runtime. For longer runs, better to use a single 17670 or 18650.

Oh, and your MC2 got packed about an hour after your PP arrived... it's in the mailbox right now!

[milkyspit]

OK, I have been bitten by the Milky Candle craze, and I just can't believe how versatile it is.

Single or multi cell running.
Regulation.
Two color choices.
3 levels of white.
Runs on primary or rechargeable cells.

It is truly amazing.

The one "feature" I found very entertaining was the realistic candle like flicker as it went through the death throws at the end of the cells life.

I need to point out that it also has some "undocumented" features...

I'll check with Scott and see if it would be OK to go into these. I may have to do a review on the MC2. I must admit that I am quite excited about utilizing its full capabilities.

The capabilities of this light goes beyond understanding... Well, maybe not completely beyond, but it comes pretty close...

Tom

Tom, document away! Just give us a link over here so folks can find their way to your discoveries.

[milkyspit]

UPDATE AS OF 12/11/06 AT 11:39am

Buildable: 12 MC2 units, 20+ boards for 4AA lanterns (SilverFox, got any photos of yours?) or other custom applications

MC2 Cost: $55 each with $5 (USA) or $10 (elsewhere) shipping for the entire order.

Lantern and custom build cost: TBD, send me PM...

Payment info in the top post of this thread.

Orders shipped by this SATURDAY ought to arrive before Christmas, at least here in the United States.

[milkyspit]

BTW, so far 97 MC2 units have been shipped! Thanks all!

Thought of a fun thing to do... for whoever orders the 100th MC2, I'll include in the package the prototype Milky Tester v2 unit free of charge... a bit of Milky Candle history, and still a darned useful little tester! It's designed to check suitability of a 123 cell for use in a 2x123 Milky Candle or MC2 unit. Who's gonna get it?

[SilverFox]

Hello Scott,

Here is a shot of the lantern that I am planning on using in my write up.



Tom

[Overload]

What do I need to run it on one 123?

[milkyspit]

What do I need to run it on one 123?

Nothing!

The spring cup in the tailcap unscrews to extend the spring length... if you unscrew it as far as possible it will hold a single 123 cell in place nicely.

Primary 1x123 will run the amber LED.

Rechargeable Li-ion RCR123 will run the white LED, then failover to amber toward the end of its runtime. This can serve as an indicator to charge your cell... especially you're using an unprotected cell.