6 volt lanterns and leds

[Bushman]

Has any one done any mods with stars or multi led arrays with one of these big lanterns that run on the huge square 6 volt lantern batteries? I bet the run time would be TREMEDOUS!!!

 

[lambda]

Yes, after I finish up on the 3D Mag conversion, my next thoughts are to convert one of these 6V lanterns for general purpose camping/fishing light. Something that you don't have to even think about batteries due to the long run time..........

 

[Bushman]

i would think inorder to get the current controlled that you would have to use a regulator for this rather than just resistors? any thoughts.

 

[lambda]

Some form of regulation is usually better, but with such a large battery, it would run quite long with a resistor before the voltage dropped much. If you put some form of quick change or switch selected resistors, you could start at say 5 ohms, switch to 2.5 when it stats to dim, and then zero ohms when it runs down again.
I've done this with my AAA DB mod and you can get five hours out of a set of batteries by lowering the resistance as the voltage falls. Kind of a 'human powered' voltage regulator.
With that big square 6V (8 D cells inside) your probaly talking 100+ hours of bright lighting. Of course, some current regulator might get even better milage............

 

[Chris M.]

With that big square 6V (8 D cells inside)


I`ve taken quite a few of those things apart in the past, usually after accidentally dropping them and breaking the tops off, and actually they have just four big cells- near enough D-cell diameter but about an inch longer. Capacity is over 20Ah I think (alkaline variety).

I was thinking about installing my still-not-used Versalux module in one of those big lanterns, got one here made by Exide- but I don`t feel the $50 Versalux really belongs in a cheap $3 lantern- so I`m waiting for a better body donor to come along. Well, I`ve got to do something with that Versalux, besides selling it. I discovered a while back that Mods aren`t really my thing.

 

[lambda]

I have to admit, it's been over 25 years since I last took one apart, seemed to be D cells back then. Maybe they were some kind of short D. Never used them for anything, just took apart a dead one to see what was in it.

 

[MrAl]

Hello again,

I'll be doing one of these mods as soon as
my LS comes in and gets delivered.
The rating for using a constant current
circuit (very simple circuit) is about
50 hours run time with full brightness
(about 350ma) on an alkaline type
6v, then dimming untill dead.
Interestingly, a normal 'Heavy duty'
6v lantern battery will supply the LS
at 100ma for probably around 200 hours!
It's the higher current drain that eats up
the hours a bit quicker. If i remember
right, i think i figured that a good
lantern battery will keep a 20ma LED running
for something like a year or something at
full brightness!

Double all the time lengths for those
humongous oversized 6v lantern batteries.

--Al