Brinkmann Pro-Max "D" as a Mod Platform?

[Ginseng]

Brinkmann Pro-Max \"D\" as a Mod Platform?

Hi,

I've been looking for an alternative modding platform to the Maglite brand. The Sears Craftsman "D" lights have gotten decent reviews on this site but I've found nothing about the Brinkmann Pro-Max and Pro-Grip flashlights. These are similar except that the Pro-grip has a rubber sleeve around the body. They even have a cool system of quick change body tubes that allow one to go from 2-cell to 3-cell to 5-cell.

Why, the big Legend 2D and 3D lights even have a two-level switch system. This would allow one to use a super-power Welch-Allyn or Carley bulb at some lower, nominal level for general use but then let you switch to maximum output for illuminating far-off objects or showing off. It's not as small as a Mag 2C, but if the body tube is spacious enough, you might be able to do a 2 x 4 x 123 driving a Carley 809 at close to 350 lumens. At the very least, you could do 4 x 123 in the 2D without further butt cap mods.

I know the Mags are popular because they are more common than dirt, but the Brinkmann line seems to offer so many choices and so much flexibility. I'm just amazed more hasn't been done with them. Now it's probably too much to hope that they have aluminum reflectors.

Wilkey

 

[lemlux]

Re: Brinkmann Pro-Max \"D\" as a Mod Platform?

I have a Brinkmann 5-3-2. I currently run a W/A 6.27 V 1.42 A 01315 bulb in a 912 adapter in the three cell version.

It is powered with two LiSO2 3.0 V 7500 mAh D cells plus a NiMH 9000 mAh D cell. Nice long run time.(I bought 120 of these cells in (edit) 12 @ 15 V government surplus packs of 2 parallel by 5 serial battery for $124 delivered last year. -- Not bad for $1.03 per cell when new cells cost about $20 @.)

The Brinkman tube is wide enough to accomodate these Lithium 3 V D cells. Mags and Nordics are are a little too tight.

The reflector has a countersunk PR retainer which is press fitted against a removable contact disk in the switch section. The contact consists of a copper cathode strip with a central hole. The anode contact is a smaller copper spring that is below the cathode hole.

I've procrastinated modding this light with a MR 16. I'd probably go in the 5D setup with 5 @ 3.0 V lithium D cells and a 20 W 12 V MR16. I could overdrive a 2000 hour MR16 for about a 4 hour run time in this configuration.

A high powered PR base mod would require precise countersinking of a Carley 2" aluminum reflector. I'm not inclined to go this route.

 

[Ginseng]

Re: Brinkmann Pro-Max

Thanks Lemlux,

I thought you might have tried something with this body if anyone has. Would it be possible for you to post a shot of the inside of the head including the bulb mounting assembly? What is your opinion of this light versus the Mag as a platform for mods?

Wilkey

 

[lemlux]

Re: Brinkmann Pro-Max

Ginseng:

I'm camera challenged,and have yet to post my first picture to CPF. I'll see what I can do.

Another trouble with modding the Brinkmann 5-3-2 light is that the distance from bulb contact to lens is quite short and leaves little room for mod componentry and heat sinks. The switch assembly also seems less sturdy than Mag's.

As I think more about it, I'd probably have to remove the PR bulb contact assembly and solder connecters further back in the switch assembly to have a chance of fitting in a MR16 bulb.

Its only two advantages (as I see it) vis-a-vis Mag are (1) that its wide ID accomodates both the Lithium D cells and "UltraBright" 3AA to D adapters and (2) it is expandable with 2 cell and 3 cell body extensions.