BentHeadTX said:
Compact HID would be the brightest and smallest package over LED and will remain so for at least a few years. If you can live with the limitations of HID, I would say get it and replace it when 120 lumens per watt LEDs become available in several years (hopefully!)
Since my photon cannons must be very durable and adjustable, I go for multiple LED variable output Mag mods. My WX1S LuxV "only" puts out 170 lumens at the LED but variable output makes up for it. If I need any more output, I can use car headlights etc. Once the BAM 4 emitter K2 Mag drop in mods become available, I am going full throttle with premium K2 emitters coupled with McR 20mm reflectors so my 400+ lumens will bring a smile to my face. The WX1S LuxV will be my variable flood light with when the head is removed.
Now for the completely insane... a 35W HID mixed with six Luxeon K2's with variable output? Use one of those A123 Systems 36V 2.0AH nano-technology Dewalt batteries for safe battery technology, light weight and pure amps. Anyone want a 4" head? That would be the ultimate light though, thousands of lumens from the HID and hundreds of lumens from variable output LEDs. The best of both worlds... at a HUGE price!
Hell, since I am dreaming of a HID/six K2 variable output light... throw some red/cyan/UV 5mm LEDs in to fill the spaces between the K2's. That thing would send the Surefire DARPA to the stone ages. I had better start saving some cash for that monster.
WHOA - not sure which is more scary, your 35W HID + Luxeon idea, or that I may actually have the capability to PULL IT OFF....
My 35W spot has a 5" metal reflector, but plastic exterior, so I would be leery of driving the LEDs too hard. The metal reflector would act as a heatsink. Since the LEDs are going to be used as a low beam, they need not be driven very hard anyway, since if you want megalumens, you get megalumens from the 35W HID beam anyway.
What I would do - first see this picture of the bulb:
(not the best picture I have, but it's the only one)
See flat space around the bulb. More than enough room for as many as half a dozen emitters of your choice, in my case, I'm not particularly fond of the K2, so I'll stick with the tried and proven Lux1 HD emitters.
Epoxy LEDs onto the reflector surface taking care not to damage it. Drill two holes for one incoming positive wire, one outgoing negative wire.
Tap a parallel path from the 12V battery pack with independent switch, or modify the existing switch to a 3-position (off, LED, HID) switch. Cable the LED lines to a Downboy 400 (variable power fans who want *EVEN MORE* options can use a variable-power converter of their choice), drive the LEDs in series, good luck.
The presence of the LEDs may create minor beam artifacts, but the main beam of the HID is already enough of a monster that this should not be an issue. On low, I'd say one could possibly get maybe 90 lumens from the small LEDs, in a flood. No point driving too hard as LED efficiency falls at high drive currents, makes more sense to drive three LEDs at lower ratings to achieve the same thing. Alternatively you could just smack one big fat LuxV in, or a couple of Lux3s.
The options are limitless - use your LED design imagination here, because we have all the space you could want. Colored LEDs like the Kroma? Sure, I can think of a couple of six-position rotary switches available at the local electronics shop that would provide more than enough positions to support a few colors of LED.