3D Mag Mod Questions

[RichS]

I've looked around for a while here on CPF, and can't find the answers I'm looking for (from any fairly recent posts) so I thought I'd just ask the question.


- What is the brightest/best incandescent bulb I can get that will work with a 9AA to 3D Mag mod?
- Where can I get a (nicer) 3AA to D adapters besides Kaidomain? https://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=3294

The only other AA to D adapter I've found that is currently available is by magmod, but he is out of the 9AA adapter that I need until maybe mid-February. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=182370

Thanks for your help! Sorry if I missed the answers in another post.

 

[divine]

Maybe keep an eye on this thread.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=182370

Says unavailable now.

 

[RichS]

Maybe keep an eye on this thread.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=182370

Says unavailable now.

Unfortunately Fivemega said in his post on 1/14 that they won't be available until early to mid-February. I'm looking to get this put together this month if possible for a trip I'm going on in February to Brown County Indiana - a nice place to play with bright lights!

 

[Lightguy27]

Ok, I can help you. The best mod for a 3D Mag is to build a Mag85. All the parts you will need can be found in that link provided by Divine. Here's what you'll need:

1. Aluminum reflector, there are different types of reflectors though. SMO is a smooth reflector and is used for maximum throw, at the cost of some artifacts in the beam quality. MOP is a Medium Orange peel texture and is used for a nicer beam, but not as much throw. I reccomend an MOP for the nice beam and trust me, they can still throw. Also reccomend cammed which means it retains the ability to be focused.

2.Glass lens from lighthound, borofloat is better for heat durability.

3.9aa>3D batt adapter which hedoesent have right now so I would just get the kaidomain stuff for now.

4.Good rechargeables(I reccomend eneloop).

5.Bipin socket.

6.WA1185 bulb.


Put it altogether and your done.

-Evan

 

[RichS]

Thanks Lightguy! I already have the reflector and a UCL lens, so I just need the bulb, bi-pin socket and the battery adapters. If it's my only choice, I guess I'll go ahead and get the Kaidomain battery adapters for now.

Who makes the WA 1185 bulb? So it's the brightest bulb when using 9AA Enloops?

Ok, I can help you. The best mod for a 3D Mag is to build a Mag85. All the parts you will need can be found in that link provided by Divine. Here's what you'll need:

1. Aluminum reflector, there are different types of reflectors though. SMO is a smooth reflector and is used for maximum throw, at the cost of some artifacts in the beam quality. MOP is a Medium Orange peel texture and is used for a nicer beam, but not as much throw. I reccomend an MOP for the nice beam and trust me, they can still throw. Also reccomend cammed which means it retains the ability to be focused.

2.Glass lens from lighthound, borofloat is better for heat durability.

3.9aa>3D batt adapter which hedoesent have right now so I would just get the kaidomain stuff for now.

4.Good rechargeables(I reccomend eneloop).

5.Bipin socket.

6.WA1185 bulb.


Put it altogether and your done.

-Evan

 

[davidra]

There is an alternative, and that's to use three 18650 AW batteries, put them inside an appropriate sized piece of pvc and just make a minor alteration to the spring so it provides more space for the batteries. Same bipin, same bulb. That's what I'm now running in my two Mag85's and it's worked great. If you want to invest in an expensive AA holder and deal with that many cells, the AA's are fine, but I really enjoy keeping some 18650's charged (they have less power loss over time that NIMH's) as backups and I'm all set.

 

[Lightguy27]

Thanks Lightguy! I already have the reflector and a UCL lens, so I just need the bulb, bi-pin socket and the battery adapters. If it's my only choice, I guess I'll go ahead and get the Kaidomain battery adapters for now.

Who makes the WA 1185 bulb? So it's the brightest bulb when using 9AA Enloops?

Your very welcome. The WA1185 is made by Welch Allyn. Heres a link to their site for some specs on the bulb:
http://www.walamp.com/lpd/webstore/detail.tpl?partnumber=01185-U&cart=1200702812877225

-Evan

 

[RichS]

There is an alternative, and that's to use three 18650 AW batteries, put them inside an appropriate sized piece of pvc and just make a minor alteration to the spring so it provides more space for the batteries. Same bipin, same bulb. That's what I'm now running in my two Mag85's and it's worked great. If you want to invest in an expensive AA holder and deal with that many cells, the AA's are fine, but I really enjoy keeping some 18650's charged (they have less power loss over time that NIMH's) as backups and I'm all set.

This is a very nice alternative, especially since I already have several protected 18650s. My only concern is the voltage - since these charge up to 4.10v, for a potential of 12.3v. Would the WA1185 bulb be able to handle this voltage? The most the 9AAs would produce is about 10.8v.

 

[Patriot]

Thanks Lightguy! I already have the reflector and a UCL lens, so I just need the bulb, bi-pin socket and the battery adapters.

Just so you know, the UCL may be pushing the envelope on an 1185 unless you're using it in shorter bursts. Extended run-time with a UCL could cause it to crack. The Borofloat lens is the one most commonly used with the 1185 because it's more resistant to heat.

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1079

 

[Balcony12]

This is a very nice alternative, especially since I already have several protected 18650s. My only concern is the voltage - since these charge up to 4.10v, for a potential of 12.3v. Would the WA1185 bulb be able to handle this voltage? The most the 9AAs would produce is about 10.8v.

Shouldn't be a problem unless you've done a bunch of resistance mods. Fully charged they still won't be able to put 12.3v to the bulb with the stock internal resistance of the light.

Check out this link for more info http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=186405

 

[RichS]

Just so you know, the UCL may be pushing the envelope on an 1185 unless you're using it in shorter bursts. Extended run-time with a UCL could cause it to crack. The Borofloat lens is the one most commonly used with the 1185 because it's more resistant to heat.

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1079

That is very good to know, thanks. I am also working on a 6AA>2D Mag ROP Mod. Would it be save to use the UCL lens on this 2D ROP mod, and get the Borofloat lens for my Mag85 mod, or do I really need the Borofloat lens for both?

Also, after reading and reading about the battery situation on this 3D Mag85, I'm really not sure which way to go. It seems like the safer method is with 9AA NMHI as opposed to 3 Li-ion. But even with the 9AA, it seems like I am going to always have to take them off the charger, let them sit a day before I can safely use them. Is this true? Is there another config that is less of a hassle and more reliable with less worry about blowing bulbs?