4 D mag w/ 5w and hotlips?

[peggsy]

I have a 4 D mag which I want to convert to a 5W luxeon, but I haven't attempted any mods yet. I realize the 4 D mag is probably not ideal for what I want, but it's what I have and I do like the size. From what I've picked up here in the past few weeks, I figure I'll need some sort of module to drive the 5 watter from 4 D cells. What I really want to know is can I buy a heatsink with the emitter and the module already attached? I found a thread the other day with the hotlips heatsink, complete with emitter, for sale but I haven't been able to find it again. I really want to keep my part of the mod as simple as possible, at least this time.. I'd appreciate any help cause I'm pretty new to this, thanks.

 

[Rothrandir]

here is the link for the hotlips heatsink: hotlips

a converter isn't really needed with a 4d, but it can be used.
if you dont' want to use a converter, you can use pvc piping and run it with 5c cells, which will provide 7.5v, driving the luxeon pretty much at spec.

 

[peggsy]

Thanks Roth. I would like to use the converter, I'd like to run it at least at spec, I just don't want to put the thing together myself. How would runtime compare between the 4d and 5c options?

 

[LightScene]

With 4 D's you won't have a very bright light, unless you use a converter.

5 C's (alkaline) should work quite well without a converter and should provide at least 10 hrs of runtime. This is a very nice combination. You can get alkaline C's for .70 cents at Walmart.

If you go with a converter and alkaline cells, 4 D cells will give you 4 X 18000 mAh = 72,000 mAH. 5 C's will give you 5 X 8350 = 41,750 mAH. 4 D cells are probably cheaper than 5 C cells.

If you want to use rechargeables, you will have to go with 5 cells and you might still need a converter because the voltage will be marginal at 6.