Cheapest ROP build?

[Chrontius]

Okay, broke college student with a searchlight... here's what I did/am doing.

2D Mag from Home Depot, $16.xx
3x 2xAA NiMH, Energizer, 2500 mAh from Walgreens, $5 after rebate
2x AA-D adapter, Kaidomain, $1.49
Mag D cam/camless MOP reflector, Kaidomain, $14.99
antireflective 52mm lens, 99% transmissive, Kaidomain, $3.74
Big D bulb set, Lighthound, $8

Total: $50.75

What's your cheapest?

Now, my rationale: aside from cheapness, there's some C-cell ROPs that are more compact, or have better runtime, or both; the D body gives me the flexibility to use either lithium or nickel hydride batteries as they become available or affordable; in a pinch, I can use disposable cells (probably Energizer lithium AAs) - not entirely unlikely if a hurricane knocks out power for a week at a time - this is Florida after all.

If the 1150 lumens floating around is accurate, this should be 23 lumens per dollar.

 

[jake25]

being a poor college student too

i built a ROP before i learned about the 623

i spent about 98$ to build my ROP

imho just save money and build a 623, you'll see threads around here and be amazed at the power

plus that ROP you're looking to build might , i've hear some stories about those Kai 2AA --> 1D adaptors.

 

[Notsure Fire]

Energizer Nimhs are, I believe, known to be the worst nimhs... though cheap.
Do you have a smart charger for your Energizers? If not, then they'd die even faster. Also, would you like to include what bulbs you are using for your ROP?

 

[jake25]

a

 

[Chrontius]

ROP is always - if I understand it - a Pelican Big D bulb. Not sure if it'll spend most of it's life as a ROP-low or ROP-high.

Energizer NiMHs were the best capacity I found last time I went looking; only recently were Duracell 2650 mAh cells released, and Eneloops have noticably less capacity. I only yesterday found out they have much better current-handling ability, but they're still expensive.

Also, nothing is stopping me from upgrading this from a ROP to a Mag85 or Mag623 'Torch' configuration later. I do kinda want to keep it looking stock though, out of a peculiar sense of perversity.

Jake, what do you mean about POOFing? The standard issue with bulbs instaflashing or failing during burn-in?

 

[WildChild]

ROP is always - if I understand it - a Pelican Big D bulb. Not sure if it'll spend most of it's life as a ROP-low or ROP-high.

Energizer NiMHs were the best capacity I found last time I went looking; only recently were Duracell 2650 mAh cells released, and Eneloops have noticably less capacity. I only yesterday found out they have much better current-handling ability, but they're still expensive.

Also, nothing is stopping me from upgrading this from a ROP to a Mag85 or Mag623 'Torch' configuration later. I do kinda want to keep it looking stock though, out of a peculiar sense of perversity.

Jake, what do you mean about POOFing? The standard issue with bulbs instaflashing or failing during burn-in?

With those adapters and the Energizer 2500 mAh you'll see no difference between the ROP-HI and the ROP-LO bulb, I tried it... Now, some Eneloop with a fivemega adapter, say welcome to brightness/whiteness! Now, what I don't like with the ROP-HI bulb is the solder blob melting... It happened on two bulb. When I reformed them, it happened again on my current bulb but after much more time! The ROP-LO bulb doesn't show this behaviour. I'm now waiting for a bi-pin socket and 3 WA1111 bulbs, when my stock of 3 ROP-HI and 4 ROP-LO bulbs will be done, I'll probably run it only on bi-pin bulbs. I want to get through my stock of ROP-HI bulbs first.

Oh, by , jake25 means the adapters might melt down!

 

[Notsure Fire]

I think the duracell Nimhs are japanese rebranded Eneloops.

Did you include the pelican bulbs in that price list of yours?

 

[Chrontius]

I think the duracell Nimhs are japanese rebranded Eneloops.

Did you include the pelican bulbs in that price list of yours?

No I didn't, but I included it in the final $50 figure. Thank you for catching that!

 

[Notsure Fire]

Lighthound charges 6 for shipping... Not to be picky or anything, but if you include things that cost 3 dollars, might as well include those that cost 6. KD offers free shipping so you're right in putting just the price there.





58.54 is what I get when I add everything on your list up properly.
However I'd change that weird green lens to the 3.04 5pc glass lens KD got.
That would total about 58$ for you.

 

[Marduke]

Those 2xAA to D converters are parallel, you need 3xAA to D or 6xAA to 2D series.

 

[Marduke]

Energizer NiMHs were the best capacity I found last time I went looking; only recently were Duracell 2650 mAh cells released, and Eneloops have noticably less capacity. I only yesterday found out they have much better current-handling ability, but they're still expensive.

Duracell 2650's have been around for at least a couple years now, nothing new there. There are also Sanyo 2700's.

Energizer 2500's are the WORST NiMH cell out there. They will die in short order. Most likely, they will start to fail in about 5-10 cycles through a ROP. They will exhibit high self discharge, and lower total capacity.

Eneloop's are known for their ability to maintain voltage better under high load, which arguably makes them on of the best choices overall. They may seem like they have a lower capacity, but you will almost certainly get more runtime out of them than Energizer 2500's for sure.

 

[Norm]

Be careful with those kai battery adapters, they add lots of resistance to your circuit and may melt.
Norm

 

[ptirmal]

Mimicking what others said and a few things of my own

Okay, broke college student with a searchlight... here's what I did/am doing.

2D Mag from Home Depot, $16.xx
3x 2xAA NiMH, Energizer, 2500 mAh from Walgreens, $5 after rebate
2x AA-D adapter, Kaidomain, $1.49
Mag D cam/camless MOP reflector, Kaidomain, $14.99
antireflective 52mm lens, 99% transmissive, Kaidomain, $3.74
Big D bulb set, Lighthound, $8

Total: $50.75

If the 1150 lumens floating around is accurate, this should be 23 lumens per dollar.

Batteries- definitely look for something better, sanyo 2700s, powerex 2700, sanyo eneloops... Eneloops can be had 8 for $15 at Circuit city

Adapter, people have had issues with them melting with high current... Modamag has a thread about a cheap high current battery holder. Risky using those listed.

I have the reflector... not bad, I would drill out the flat ends in the center to make the beam "right"... you'll know when you see it...

Maybe 1150 bulb lumen, even though that seems high on its own too... I think ROP builds are more like 700 out the front

 

[wjf2000]

Build an rop in a 2d using 2 18650 rechargeable lith-ion batteries from kaidomain.com for under $5 each, a dsd charger for $8.80 also at kaidomain and the other items you listed: reflector, glass lens and rop bulb. Use rolled up paper to hold the batteries in place like mention here: http://lightrefineries.org/?page_id=9 You will also have to bend the spring to make contact with the battery. This should run about $50. You can also build this in a 2c. www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=178764

 

[mdocod]

I'm going to shamelessly give myself a little free publicity here and this is exactly why I started building battery adapters. I offer a compromise solution, made in my garage, at an in-between price that can handle the current of high power mag-mods. The 3xAA>1D adapters found for a dollar or 2 each online can't handle the current of the ROP, a number of people have complained of them melting down or just plain performing poorly in these applications. You can build up a 2D ROP for around $75 with my adapter and some eneloops if you can find em cheap. (Circuit city is clearing them out lately at around $14 for an 8 pack)

 

[bimemrboy318]

Cheapest ROP... don't bother with the cheapy Kai adapters. It's like throwing away $3.

ROP bulbs - $8 + $6 shipping = $14
mcdocod 6aa battery adapter - $18 + $2 shipping = $20
Kai aluminum MOP reflector $15
Kai glass lens (5pack) $3.07 (you said cheapest)
Maglite 2D - $9.99 if you wait for the Lowes Black Friday sale each year

Total = $62.06 + batteries for a ROP that won't let you down.

The Energizers will work for a while but might as well get the Eneloops.

 

[Notsure Fire]

ROP Bulbs 9+6 Shipping = 15 shipped
MDOCOD's 6AA-2D adapter = 20 shipped
Reflector from KD = 15 shipped
5 Glass lenses from KD = 3 Shipped
Waiting 9 months for Black Friday to save a few dollars on a maglite = Priceless















No, seriously, he said he got Home Depot locally so he'll get the Mag for 17

That would total to 70$ without batteries.

 

[allburger]

I am a poor college student too. I actually am building an ROP the same exact way as you. My stuff should be here tomorrow from Kai. Already got the bulb set from lighthound.

Where do you other guys go to school??

Im here at Central Michigan University

 

[Bunk3r]

However I'd change that weird green lens to the 3.04 5pc glass lens KD got.

or to the Dealextreme SKU 5948 for $1.38 (but it would be wise to get a spare, at which point maybe you should just get the 5 pack!)

I am a poor college student too. I actually am building an ROP the same exact way as you. My stuff should be here tomorrow from Kai.

yeah i ordered the cheap ones also, i know they will melt, but i originally planned to make my own but haven got round to it so figured i would just buy and modify these for now! my plan is (may change when i see them) to modify them with solder braid so that the currant goes through the braid not the thin springs etc. if it still melts then plan B!

 

[Notsure Fire]

He'd do better by ordering everything from the same place. I think it doesnt make a difference between 3$ for 5 pieces from KD or 1.something for 1 piece from DX. Better to order everything from one same place. Plus, he should get a tracking number from KD because he would have an order of more than 15$.