Best incan for old turbo head?

[donn_]

I just picked up an old Surefire T2 Turbo Head:

I need recommendations for the brightest incan bulb for this head.

Thanks in advance.

 

[nzgunnie]

I guess that depends on how many cells you are planning on putting behind it.

Photo looks like a big leef set up. I know the MN16 will work on two 3.7v cells, because I run mine on two 18650s in a leef C-C with a KT2. I'd say you'd get around 250L for ages with the C li-ion.

I think you can run an MN21 on this setup, someone else will no doubt confirm that.

If you can run it on 3x C li-ions (or any 3 largish cells) you can get the FM(?) bi pin holder and run an WA1185.

 

[donn_]

I have a total of 8 of the body segments, so I can get over 32v out of the tube. :devil:

I have a few FM's bi-pin sockets, but have no idea about how to install it in the BigLeef necks. That would be a great solution, but since there's no Mag-type socket inside, I don't know how I'd install the bi-pin.

I was thinking more along the lines of some of the more powerful tower incans from either Lumens Factory or Surefire.

 

[Paul5M]

I think you can run an MN21 on this setup, someone else will no doubt confirm that.

If you can run it on 3x C li-ions (or any 3 largish cells) you can get the FM(?) bi pin holder and run an WA1185.

You'll smoke that Lexan
Is it Lexan :thinking:

 

[nzgunnie]

Not the FM bi pin mag type holder. The Bi-pin Surefire turbo head type holder. Maybe it wasn't FM who made it? I thought it was but could be mistaken.

Basically a MN style turbo head lamp base that can take bi pin bulbs. If you've got that many bodies, there must be some pretty bright bi pin bulb you could use.

I'd be concerned about the lexan too, I had forgotten about that.

The other thing to consider is that I think this Turbo head was designed for the N series lamps, not the MN series. From what I've picked up from Size15, the filament is different, so does not produce the optimum beam when using the new MN series in the old T series turbo heads. I suspect that the difference is minimal though.

 

[donn_]

The current KT1(have one) and KT2 (just bought one of these) are listed as having tempered Pyrex windows. Dunno what the T2 window is, but it isn't glass.

Hopefully Size15s or another Surefire historian will weigh in.

 

[Size15's]

I just picked up an old Surefire 3T TurboHead

"3T"? There is not such SureFire designation.
SureFire made a T3 for the 9N.

The photo appears to show a normal T-Series TurboHead (3" diameter).

SureFire's reflector finish was made more rippled to better accommodate larger, longer, thicker filaments such as those of the MN-type TurboHead lamps.

The T-Series TurboHead was designed and intended to be used with the N-type TurboHead lamps.

You may not get the best possible beam from individual pairings of MN-type lamp assemblies and T-Series TurboHeads. YMMV.

I use an N62 lamp & T-Series TurboHead along with a 12PM body (four-SF123A batteries).

I'm not familiar with using aftermarket bulbs so I can't help with things non-SureFire in this instance.

Al

 

[DM51]

nzgunnie is correct (post #5). You need a Fivemega Bi-Pin socket for SF MN-series LA, rather than a G4-type Bi-Pin socket.

Unfortunately FM has no more of them. Maybe he'll do another run at some stage. You might be able to pick one up on Custom & Mod B/S/T.

If you look at that link above, you will see a pic with a MN21 alongside the FM socket, showing they are the same size.

If you manage to get one, you could run a WA 1111 with 2x Li-Ion C-cells in 2x BigLeef 26530 bodies, or a WA 1185 with 3x C-cells in 3 bodies.

If you can't get a FM socket, you could still run a MN20 or even a MN21 with 2x C-cells, although Fivemega says the MN21 is "touchy", as it is over-driven, so it would probably have a short bulb life.

And if that lens is Lexan rather than glass/pyrex, you would need to change it before using a hot bulb in it.

 

[donn_]

Sorry...T2 it is. It came to me on a 9P.

I don't see N62 listed on Surefire's website. Is it a discontinued item.

 

[DM51]

Lol, we posted at ~the same time.

 

[donn_]

I remember seeing that adapter. I don't think I bought any, however. It's probably the only FM bi-pin adapter I don't have.

I'm looking at the neck for this head, and it appears to have a plastic collar, which may be held in place by a simple plastic pin. If I can get it out, I may be able to ream out the hole enough to accommodate my P4 tower.

The lens is definitely plastic, and I don't see any way to replace it.

 

[pete7226]

Like mentioned above, I'd go with the WA1111 bulb in the FM MnBi-pin adaptor. I use it in my 2x18650 leefbody with a KT2 and it is definitely brighter than the same overdriven MN16 setup I use in a KT4. Runtime is around 40 minutes. With 2xC cells you should be over an hour. At 7.2 volts, the WA1111 is about 500 torch lumens.

 

[DM51]

You would need one of those MN-compatible sockets to run a bi-pin bulb in any SF turbo-head such as KT2 or KT4. Otherwise you will be restricted to SF LAs.

If no SF LA you currently have fits this head, and if the lens is non-replaceable plastic - oops mustn't use that word in Size15s earshot lol, I mean er, well, not glass lol - I honestly think you would do better to sell or trade it to a collector and use a KT2 or KT4 instead.

 

[donn_]

Sheesh! We're both gettin old, DM! I ordered one of the MN sockets early in the month, and you commented it would go well in the KT1/BigLeef combination.

Now, where did I put that thing?

 

[DM51]

LOL!!!!! And I had completely forgotten I recommended it!!! You're right - we're both going senile! ROFL

 

[donn_]

Found it! It fits snugly, but it fits.

Now, of the three types of bi-pins I have (1111, 1164 and 5761), which is least apt to melt the pla...er non-glass window in this critter?

 

[donn_]

If I'm reading Lux' destruction charts correctly, the 1111 and 1164 will run at about 115-120° at 8v. The 1111 will insta-flash on two freshly charged cells. The 5761 flashes at 7.9v and is at over 167°, but it's putting out nearly 2,000l!

I just tried out the MN adapter in my KT1, with an 1164 and two C Li-Ions measured at exactly 8v. It makes a very nice beam.

Anyone know the melting point of a non-glass Surefire window?

 

[Bullzeyebill]

I would only consider the KT for your application. I think limit of T3 and lexan window would be the MN61 wattage range.

Bill

 

[Size15's]

Sorry...T3 it is. It came to me on a 9P.

I don't see N62 listed on Surefire's website. Is it a discontinued item.

It is NOT a T3.
The T3 fits only the 9N body and no other (not even the 9AN)

As it came on a 9P body then the correct lamp for it is the N2 making it a T2.
The whole flashlight is known as a 9PT.

The N62, like the N2 is not in production. Both have been superceded by modern lamps (MN61 for four-SF123A models, and the MN15 for three-SF123A models)

Whether the Lexan window of the T-Series TurboHead is suitable for the high output lamps depends in my experience on the amount of constant-on use, and the conditions of use.

For example my 12PM (2.5" diameter TurboHead with Lexan window) has held up fine after plenty (many dozen) three-minute constant-on bursts with the N62 lamp.

Thinking about it for a moment... I'm not aware of any melted Lexan TurboHead windows. It was changed to Pyrex for a better quality (more reliable) water-tight seal.

Al

 

[donn_]

Sorry again. It was sold as a "T3 on a 9P with a Z49."

I found a couple of sources for the N62, at $34 + freight each. Maybe I'll look into a tower based LED with a slightly smaller diameter.