18v Xenon in a Maglite?

[dwebb210]

I am new to this site. TONS of terrific information.
I already did a search, and couldn't find the answers I was looking for.

I have a DeWalt 18v floodlight which uses a 18v PR Xenon bulb.

After reading about some of the mods that people here have done, I was wondering about putting this bulb in a 4-C cell maglite, with 6 123 batteries.

I can't find information on the bulb such as it's current draw, so I'm not sure if it will be more than the batteries can handle.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[notrefined]

well, chances are it'll melt the stock reflector if it draws much more than 0.5A

 

[fivemega]

Hi Dave, welcome to CPF
123 lithiums can handle easy 1.2 amps for about an hour.
Even if you consider a 18 volt bulb at 1 Amp, that will be a 18 watt which is way more than what you can find in task lights. So, you can use this set up but it won't be white bright and spot because of long fillament shape.

 

[dwebb210]

I ordered one of fivemega's aluminum reflectors to play with,
so I can eliminate that as a problem. (as far as melting)

I'm not too concerned with keeping the flashlight body size
down to the 2-C size that seems to fascinate everyone.
If I could find a 2x3-123 holder, I could fit the six
batteries in a 2-D M@G, but even that isn't really important.

I'm primarily looking for insane brightness on a dime.
Everyone and their dog has a 2-D maglite laying around.
Adding a $20 reflector, a $5 glass lens, and some higher
voltage batteries sounds like a modification within anyones
capabilities.

18v xenon PR bulbs are readily available.

Just wondering now if it would be better to overdrive them,
but it doesn't seem like many people have experimented with
them yet.

Dave

 

[RussH]

I usually figure the CR123A working voltage at 2.8V with a one amp draw. In my 2c, 3 CR123A with a KPR118 (Radioshack, 7.2v, .55amp, IIRC) run at an initial 8.5 volts but it quickly drops into the 7s. I think it is drawing around 7.9V @ 640ma after about 15min. runtime (I need to check it again). So, my point is that 6 123s won't give you anywhere near 18V under load except when brand new, if then.

I've experimented with these a bit with up to 7 cells and various bulbs. When you get into the higher voltages (5-7 cells), one extra battery works quite well. So if you don't want to cram 7 cells in there, you would probably be happier with a 14.4V bulb.

Is DeWalt using xenon for 14.4V, too? The last ones I bought weren't xenon, and in fact, I didn't think they were even krypton. If they are xenon, and assuming a .75amp rating, then 6 123s would probably run them at 16.5v (a little higher with fresh batteries) which is a 15% overdrive. That may be too high for a xenon bulb, but works fine with krypton bulbs.

I quit experimenting with these because the beam pattern sucks, even with an MOP textured reflector. I'm interested in trying different bulbs in my 2C, tho. My next project is a MR16 narrow beam 20W. They come with a reflector that fits in the mag head. I haven't gotten around to making the connectors for the bi-pin lamp yet. And I expect a high voltage drop. I need something better for my 6C m@glight, tho...

 

[bwaites]

Russ,

6C mag, huh?

9x1/2 subC's running an 1185 would give you around a thousand bulb lumens!

Bill

 

[RussH]

Thanks, Bill, I like that idea. So many mods, so little time...

 

[DaGeek]

I made a desent mod with 5 CR123s in a 3D mag with a 14 volt bulb!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RussH]

A friend of mine has a cheap clone mag (5D?), in which, IIRC, he has a 14.4v Dewalt (I'm assuming krypton) bulb running on 6 CR123As. The 18.0v bulbs were a little larger than the lower voltage bulbs and the 7x123As were a really tight fit, so he dropped back after accidentally crushing the bulb when tightening up the focus...