10/29/23 Added High Res links above bulb charts
6/28/09 Note: Ictorana's Graphs are now being presented in this other pinned thread.
8/14/09: Shoutout to Drewfus2101 for doing destructive testing of most of the potted Maglite bulbs in charts linked here.
I started testing bulbs after thinking about various ways to get some REAL bulb data, rather than everyone relying on AWR's Hotrater spreadsheet to predict overdriving Incandescent bulbs. I tried to control for as many variables as I can think of, and am showing photos of my setup. I have used two or more new bulbs for all tests listed below done on different nights to verify and correlate results. Complete testing method is listed below thumbnail images.


Setup for potted bulbs:
To eliminate resistance, I'll check it using a Magswitch bulb holder I just setup. Soldered 14AWG to parts as shown in these thumbnails:

Martek 4509Q (Par36) Bulb Tested
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https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/Martek4509Q.jpg

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WA Bulbs Tested
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MagCharger Bulb Tested
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Kaidomain Bulb Tested
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Carley Bulbs Tested
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Philips Bulbs Tested
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Westinghouse Bulb Tested
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GE Bulb Tested
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AW (Generic Chinese) Bulb Tested
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https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/aw6v30w.jpg

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ROP Pelican Big-D 3853 & 3854 Bulbs Tested
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https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/3853-L.jpg

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Hikari Bulbs Tested
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https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/JC-5043.jpg

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https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/JC-5051.jpg

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https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/JC-5067.jpg

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Osram Bulbs Tested
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https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/64656.jpg
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Step One - I measure bulbs at increasing voltage steps, up to the point where they flash. Each voltage setting only stays long enough to get stable readings.
Step Two - I will compare these measurements to the AWR Hotrater Spreadsheet (based upon WA website's default & predicted overdrive values) for correlation with my results among all the tested bulbs. This may lead to some adjustments being made on a revised Hotrater Spreadsheet.
Step Three - I will pick what appears to be the two best predicted voltages that optimze lumens with bulb life in an 8-12 hr predicted range, and run the bulbs until they die. The brighter, lower life choice will be done first.
Test Platform: I mounted a bare KIU to a block of wood, with 4" wires soldered to 20" 14 AWG test leads, plugged into a Mastech HY3020-D Linear current/voltage adjustable power supply. New bulbs are inserted in KIU & cleaned with Isopropyl alcohol.
At the same height as the bulb, a black plastic (1" I.D. x 12" long) tube is placed in a horizontal vise position, aimed by looking from far end so bulb appears centered in tube. Inside of tube was abraded to avoid any spot reflections. At exactly 1 meter from bulb, Meterman LM631 light sensor is inserted in far end of tube that has a thin layer of black foam to seal around sensor and hold it in place.
6/28/09 Note: Ictorana's Graphs are now being presented in this other pinned thread.
8/14/09: Shoutout to Drewfus2101 for doing destructive testing of most of the potted Maglite bulbs in charts linked here.
I started testing bulbs after thinking about various ways to get some REAL bulb data, rather than everyone relying on AWR's Hotrater spreadsheet to predict overdriving Incandescent bulbs. I tried to control for as many variables as I can think of, and am showing photos of my setup. I have used two or more new bulbs for all tests listed below done on different nights to verify and correlate results. Complete testing method is listed below thumbnail images.





Setup for potted bulbs:
To eliminate resistance, I'll check it using a Magswitch bulb holder I just setup. Soldered 14AWG to parts as shown in these thumbnails:



Martek 4509Q (Par36) Bulb Tested
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- 4509Q (13V 100W) **New**
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/Martek4509Q.jpg

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WA Bulbs Tested
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- 1274
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- 1326
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- 1331
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- 1160

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- 1164
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- 1166
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- 1185
MagCharger Bulb Tested
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Kaidomain Bulb Tested
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Carley Bulbs Tested
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- CL-1057 (6V 12W)
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- CL-1794 (7V 21W) Custom made for FiveMega
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- CL-43 (14.8V 41W) Custom made for FiveMega
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- FM-1909 (11.4V 63W) Custom made for FiveMega
Philips Bulbs Tested
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- 5761 (6V Philips)
Westinghouse Bulb Tested
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GE Bulb Tested
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AW (Generic Chinese) Bulb Tested
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- 6V 30W 2000Hr Chinese Generic
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/aw6v30w.jpg

ROP Pelican Big-D 3853 & 3854 Bulbs Tested
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- 3853-L 7.2V 11W Pelican Big D Low (NiMH)
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/3853-L.jpg

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- 3853-H 7.2V 24W Pelican Big D High(NiMH)
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- 3854-L 6V 11W Pelican Big D Low
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- 3854-H 6V 24W Pelican Big D High
Hikari Bulbs Tested
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- JC-5043 (12V 50W)
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/JC-5043.jpg

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- JC-5051 (12V 75W)
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/JC-5051.jpg

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- JC-5607 (6V 20W)
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/JC-5067.jpg

Osram Bulbs Tested
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- 64430 (6V 35W Osram Brand)
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- 64430 (Tungsram 56580 version from Svetila)

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- 64430 (Top Bulb Chinese Generic)
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- 64275 (6V 35W)
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- 64610 (12V 50W)

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- 62138 (12V 100W - USL)
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- 64625 (12V 100W - USL)
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- 64623 (12V 100W - Torch)
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- 64458 (12V 90W)
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- 50050 Ministar - 12V 50W (Osram Link)
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- 64432 IRC - 12V 35W
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- 64440 IRC - 12V 50W (Osram Link)
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- 64447 IRC - 12V 65W
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- 64633 (15V 150W)
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- 64655 (24V 250W)
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- 64657 (24V 250W)
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- 64656 (24V 275W)
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/.highres/64656.jpg
Step One - I measure bulbs at increasing voltage steps, up to the point where they flash. Each voltage setting only stays long enough to get stable readings.
Step Two - I will compare these measurements to the AWR Hotrater Spreadsheet (based upon WA website's default & predicted overdrive values) for correlation with my results among all the tested bulbs. This may lead to some adjustments being made on a revised Hotrater Spreadsheet.
Step Three - I will pick what appears to be the two best predicted voltages that optimze lumens with bulb life in an 8-12 hr predicted range, and run the bulbs until they die. The brighter, lower life choice will be done first.
Test Platform: I mounted a bare KIU to a block of wood, with 4" wires soldered to 20" 14 AWG test leads, plugged into a Mastech HY3020-D Linear current/voltage adjustable power supply. New bulbs are inserted in KIU & cleaned with Isopropyl alcohol.
At the same height as the bulb, a black plastic (1" I.D. x 12" long) tube is placed in a horizontal vise position, aimed by looking from far end so bulb appears centered in tube. Inside of tube was abraded to avoid any spot reflections. At exactly 1 meter from bulb, Meterman LM631 light sensor is inserted in far end of tube that has a thin layer of black foam to seal around sensor and hold it in place.
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