12v Dewalt-based worklight?

[fivetenben]

I am looking for some pointers on a mod I want to do (my first). I just got a 12v Dewalt flashlight. For now I'm happy with it stock for spotlight use. But I would really longer runtime and a much wider and more even light. I'm trying to mimic the 13 & 26 watt fluorescent worklights I am currently using to install car stereos and alarms. But in a package thats cordless and more compact. Based on some limited reading here, I'm thinking about an array of white 5mm leds, as many as needed, three in a series with a resistor. Other than that I'm clueless, so any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Ben

 

[Deleted member 684]

If you want flood light, I would recommend you go with Luxeon Stars, without optics. They give a very wide flood.

 

[shiftd]

or you can use the mcFlood reflector to get a smooth and very useable beam

 

[IsaacHayes]

you could do 3 1W LS stars in series with some resistance. That would be a pretty big flood of bright light. I'd say it'd be pretty close to a florecent output am I right? I can't remever what my florecent utility car light I use is, but I think it might be 12watt

 

[fivetenben]

So if i went with the Luxeon Stars, how many would it take to match (or beat) a 13w fluorescent?