Silviron
Flashlight Enthusiast
This post isn't conversion INSTRUCTIONS - Just to let everyone know what the initial results are.
Since the Blue-green / cyan / turquoise LEDS are supposed to give significantly higher light output than white LEDS for the same power consumption, I thought it was about time for me to do some experimentation with them.
(I did order a cyan LS from Gransee a few months ago, but burnt it out about 5 minutes after I got my grubby little paws on it...)
SO.., I ordered some 5MM Blue-Green LEDs from BG Micro ( http://bgm.bgmicro.com/prodinfo.asp?sid=087833333333333321624312 3252&prodid=LED1052&page=1&cri=LED1052&stype=3 ) that are RATED at 10,400 mcd @ 10mA.
Anyway, they came in today, and while I think they are not quite as bright as they are rated, they do appear to be somewhat brighter than a white NICHIA, at least at 3.7V.
I'm not real thrilled about the beam pattern of the bare BG LEDS (wierd "shapes" and areas of light & dark) but behind the lens in the Brinkman, they are a lot better.
Stopped by Wal-mart tonight and picked up one of the older model Brinkman AA LED lights to convert, and since they were back in stock, I got one of the newer "REBEL" models since I didn't have one...
(To digress a bit, I do like the Rebel better so far, although it would not be particularly good for conversion or experimentation. Construction seems to be more sturdy and it is less bulky if longer than the old model.)
Anyway, I pulled the white LED out of the older model Brinkman and replaced it with one of the blue-greenies.
Here are some LUX readings that you may find of interest:
(Fresh batteries, 2007 date Energizer alkalines)
BEFORE CONVERSION:
100 LUX @ 1 meter.
11,650 LUX with light in contact with sensor.
AFTER CONVERSION:
128 LUX @ 1 meter
12,350 LUX with light in contact with sensor
{REBEL:
1 meter 130 LUX
Contact with sensor: 12,400 lux
(So the Rebel in it's "natural state" seems to be brighter than the older model in it's "natural state"-- I don't know if it has a more efficient circuit, a tighter focus or just a higher rank LED)}
And here are a few pictures comparing the Blue Green conversion to the REBEL. (I know it isn't completely fair to compare the two, since the Rebel is brighter than the unconverted earlier model, but it is the best I can do right now)....:
As you can see, the turquoise beam is a lot wider than the white one, but I can't really say if this is because of a difference in the reflector / lens between the two different models, if my conversion changed the focal length from the original specs (probably not) or if the "internal" LED lens combined with the Brinkman Lens does it..
Beyond the 15 feet in the last picture, I can't really say for sure which light will "shine" further. It is really foggy outside right now...
But it seems like the blue-green has a little longer range (10-15%) than the white light, but on the pine trees about 50 feet away, the white light gives better contrast, if somewhat less brightness than the blue-green. Different color "targets" may show better or worse contrast under different colors of light.
Just thought I'd share, hope someone finds this of interest or use.
I'll try some other configurations using these B-G LEDS in the future and let you all know if there is anything interesting.
Since the Blue-green / cyan / turquoise LEDS are supposed to give significantly higher light output than white LEDS for the same power consumption, I thought it was about time for me to do some experimentation with them.
(I did order a cyan LS from Gransee a few months ago, but burnt it out about 5 minutes after I got my grubby little paws on it...)
SO.., I ordered some 5MM Blue-Green LEDs from BG Micro ( http://bgm.bgmicro.com/prodinfo.asp?sid=087833333333333321624312 3252&prodid=LED1052&page=1&cri=LED1052&stype=3 ) that are RATED at 10,400 mcd @ 10mA.
Anyway, they came in today, and while I think they are not quite as bright as they are rated, they do appear to be somewhat brighter than a white NICHIA, at least at 3.7V.
I'm not real thrilled about the beam pattern of the bare BG LEDS (wierd "shapes" and areas of light & dark) but behind the lens in the Brinkman, they are a lot better.
Stopped by Wal-mart tonight and picked up one of the older model Brinkman AA LED lights to convert, and since they were back in stock, I got one of the newer "REBEL" models since I didn't have one...
(To digress a bit, I do like the Rebel better so far, although it would not be particularly good for conversion or experimentation. Construction seems to be more sturdy and it is less bulky if longer than the old model.)
Anyway, I pulled the white LED out of the older model Brinkman and replaced it with one of the blue-greenies.
Here are some LUX readings that you may find of interest:
(Fresh batteries, 2007 date Energizer alkalines)
BEFORE CONVERSION:
100 LUX @ 1 meter.
11,650 LUX with light in contact with sensor.
AFTER CONVERSION:
128 LUX @ 1 meter
12,350 LUX with light in contact with sensor
{REBEL:
1 meter 130 LUX
Contact with sensor: 12,400 lux
(So the Rebel in it's "natural state" seems to be brighter than the older model in it's "natural state"-- I don't know if it has a more efficient circuit, a tighter focus or just a higher rank LED)}
And here are a few pictures comparing the Blue Green conversion to the REBEL. (I know it isn't completely fair to compare the two, since the Rebel is brighter than the unconverted earlier model, but it is the best I can do right now)....:
As you can see, the turquoise beam is a lot wider than the white one, but I can't really say if this is because of a difference in the reflector / lens between the two different models, if my conversion changed the focal length from the original specs (probably not) or if the "internal" LED lens combined with the Brinkman Lens does it..
Beyond the 15 feet in the last picture, I can't really say for sure which light will "shine" further. It is really foggy outside right now...
But it seems like the blue-green has a little longer range (10-15%) than the white light, but on the pine trees about 50 feet away, the white light gives better contrast, if somewhat less brightness than the blue-green. Different color "targets" may show better or worse contrast under different colors of light.
Just thought I'd share, hope someone finds this of interest or use.
I'll try some other configurations using these B-G LEDS in the future and let you all know if there is anything interesting.
