Alternate battery option for Mag85?

[mokona2]

Could a custom built NiMH battery pack (similar to RC cars or airsoft packs) be built to fit the 3D body and meet the power requirements for an 1185? What would have to be modified to make this option work? Would it be more expensive than buying several AA NiMH batteries, an appropriate charger, and several 3AA-D adaptors?

 

[KevinL]

I've thought about it at a time when EL 3toD adapters were hard to come by - it is very feasible. In fact you can drop Batterystation.com a line and ask whether they can roll you a triangle, 9-cell NiMH pack. All that you require is a pack-capable charger. Batterystation is a CPF supporting dealer and offers very reasonable pricing.

 

[Ginseng]

Yes,

Custom packs are totally viable. In fact, I use soldered 9-cell AA packs in my MC85. This works for me because I charge in cradle and never take the cells out to use in anything else. You can do this for the Mag85BP as well if you have a flaxible charger like the MAHA 777 series. Great idea!

Wilkey

 

[KevinL]

Topping off my 3toDs again.. I built a cardboard holder so I can charge all 3 at one shot on the Maha without even having to unload the cells. Darn I'm lazy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PS: a few more words - the bulk of the cost is in the charger, however, these chargers are usually so versatile the cost can be amortized across a number of other lights and systems. If you already have a RC/airsoft charger capable of handling 9 NiMH in series, you're good to go.

Packs/multicell chargers also represent convenience, otherwise you'd have to unload the cells from the 3toDs each time. My Mag85 ALMOST didn't become an '85, it was supposed to stop at the WA1111 (Mag11) six-cell configuration because I only had a 4-cell AA charger. With six cells, it would take two charging cycles to reload the light, one if I had spare cells. With 9 cells it would take 2 cycles at least (1 spare battery) or at worst, 3 cycles. Add that to the fact my only AA charger used to take 6 hours to get the job done..

I'm glad I bought the Maha. Problem solved. One charging cycle, 90-120 minutes to fill the cells back up and the party goes on! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy23.gif

 

[SJACKAL]

I am using a 30min charger 4XAA, I am lazy too, but I already bought my charger and I like the 30min charge.

1 hour had me charge up my Mag74
1 hour 15 minutes had me charge up my Mag85

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[mokona2]

Glad to hear this is a feasible option. I haven't chosen a charger yet, but I definitely don't want to have to leave batteries charging for 10-12 hours :P Definitely laziness on my part.

For the battery pack, are the specifications supposed to be 9.6v total, 9-cell AA NiMH rated at 2100mAh per cell?

 

[Hookd_On_Photons]

The WA01185 runs at 9.6V spec, but most Mag85s are run with 9 cells (10.8V).

The capacity of the batteries doesn't matter as much as their ability to handle high current loads. The reason the 21000mAH figure is bandied about is that the higher capacity consumer NiMHs (e.g. Energizer/Sanyo 2200+ mAH) tend to demonstrate more voltage sag under high current.

One of the hotwire masters could recommend a brand of cells to use. Sanyos are generally well recommended. GP is another name I hear a lot.

I just use Energizer/Sanyo 2100mAHs. They're cheap, and readily available at Target or Walmart.

 

[Ginseng]

Roger that on the Sanyo/Energizer 2100s. The optimum cell in my experience. The MAHA 2000s are also decent if pricey. Go higher capacity and you may not gain any runtime at all due to the proportional loss of capacity at high drain. This is in addition to greater voltage sag and decreased brightness. Go lower capacity and you'll keep voltage up but give up runtime.

Wilkey

 

[Brooks]

Since the 3 AA to D adapters are currently not available at EL, would it possible to use fivemega's 8AA to 2D adapter along with a 1 AA to 1D adapter like: http://www.thomas-distributing.com/nc-d-adapters.htm in a 3D mag? I think I read somewhere that a regular D battery in addition to the 8 AA to 2D adapter works, so if this is correct I would think the 1 AA to 1D adapter would work too. I noticed they also have a 1 AA to 1C adapter as well.

It sure would be nice if fivemaga or someone would develop a 9AA to 3D adapter similar to his 8AA to 2D adapter, but with 3 AA’s stacked 3 high. I don't know if that would be possible, but it seems like that would be easier to use and more durable than the EL adapters.

If a custom-built pack is best way to go how can I charge it with one of my RC quick charger systems? Is their some type of adapter that could plug into the RC type plug on the charger to charge this pack? If anyone has made an adapter it would be great if you could share some photos.

Are there any other battery options available for this mod project that I am missing? I sure wish there were complete kits available for this mod.

 

[Hookd_On_Photons]

Brooks: the 8AA-to-2D + 1AA-to-D solution would work.

I don't think it would be a good idea to mix batteries of different chemistries and capacities, though.

The call has already gone out to fivemega in this thread:

fivemega, we need your help

 

[Brooks]

Thanks for the response. I just started reading about the mag85 the other day. I should have known this was already covered. I have been focused on LED's since discovering CPF just a few months ago, but this mag85 has caught my attention. Now I just wish it was not so difficult to pull together all the parts for this mod.

 

[davidra]

Can you run an 1185 on a 2D body? Someone mentioned a 2D Mag85....what battery configuration would that be?

 

[Ginseng]

That would be driving the WA01185 roughly at spec on 8AA. See Modamag's 8AA holders in the BST forum.

Wilkey

 

[JimH]

I'm running a Mag85 with a FM fat 1D body and 3 Pila 168a's. You can get the fat 1D body and 3 Pila 168a to fat 1D holder from fivemega.

 

[Lurveleven]

[ QUOTE ]
JimH said:
I'm running a Mag85 with a FM fat 1D body and 3 Pila 168a's. You can get the fat 1D body and 3 Pila 168a to fat 1D holder from fivemega.

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't that overdriving the 1185 near instantflash, or is there so much voltage sag that it is safe?
What runtime do you get?
I was thinking about the same setup, but with the 1166 bulb instead.

Sigbjoern

 

[JimH]

[ QUOTE ]
Lurveleven said:
[ QUOTE ]
JimH said:
I'm running a Mag85 with a FM fat 1D body and 3 Pila 168a's. You can get the fat 1D body and 3 Pila 168a to fat 1D holder from fivemega.

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't that overdriving the 1185 near instantflash, or is there so much voltage sag that it is safe?
What runtime do you get?
I was thinking about the same setup, but with the 1166 bulb instead.

Sigbjoern

[/ QUOTE ]

I have no idea about run time since I never run the batteries that far down. As for voltage, I measured the voltage with 3 Pila 168A's under load of a WA1185. The voltage under load is 10.8v and the current measured 3.8A.

 

[jdriller]

Three bare 17500 rechargeable lith ion can't handle the draw. Shuts down pretty quickly. (mod done in a 3c m*g)