Disappointed with ROP Low - Beam shots inside against 3xCR123

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bimemrboy318

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 30, 2006
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215
OK,

Got myself a couple ROP bulbs, a Kai aluminum MOP reflector, Kai 1D-3AA adapters, Kai glass lens, and Energizer 2500 mah (silver and green ones).

Put them all together with the ROP Hi and it barely ran. A nasty yellow color! Then I put in the Rop Low and it's much better but disappointing. I feel that my Mag 2C with 5 cell MagnumStar and 3xCR123s is brighter. Here are the beam shots. Both were shot at f2.8 and 1/20s.


MagnumStar 5 cell, 3xCR123


ROP Low, Kai aluminum MOP, Kai 1D-3AA adpaters, Energizer 2500 mah

Are the Kai adapters this bad? What if I put in alkalines instead? I don't want to :poof: the ROP Low. Any suggestions on how to get the wow factor into this setup?
 
It could be the batteries. If they're old they will not be able to light up the ROP. I used some very old (5 years +) lithium ion batteries in mine and the the results were disappointing. New batteries fixed the problem.
 
Hmm. I made a 6D ROP using Energizer AA LiMHs. These are basically AAs in a shell. They work fine on both low and hi ROP. I am using the Kai reflector.

I hate to ask stupid questions, but you do have 6 cells in series, right? Not two sets of 3 in parallel?
 
MikeLip said:
Hmm. I made a 6D ROP using Energizer AA LiMHs. These are basically AAs in a shell. They work fine on both low and hi ROP. I am using the Kai reflector.

I hate to ask stupid questions, but you do have 6 cells in series, right? Not two sets of 3 in parallel?
Click to expand...

Are those batteries primaries or rechargeable? How many volts is each cell?
 
lots of issues here:

1. Yes, Kai adapters add a lot of resistance and even the ROP low is effected by resistance a lot more than a mag bulb (more than double the current). I realize that cost is often an issue for people building mag mods. An FM adapter or LuxLuther (I think it's him) battery pack would be ideal.... I am in the process of TRYing to introduce a much CHEAPER alternative that won't be as pretty an as FM adapter, but will have much lower resistance than other cheap options. I have working prototypes and want to start selling soon but am so ridiculously broke I can't even afford to order supplies to make a "run" of them.... but keep an eye out, I'm going to try to come in under $20 shipped for a 6AA adapter, which should help alleviate some mod $$pains.
2. Energizer 2500s, (most 2500s in-fact) stink, they sag under a load, and nearly every one who has owned them has had major problems with random cell failure, major self discharge (litterally dead in days of sitting) voltage suppression, etc etc etc. Get some Eneloops and a good charger if you don't already have one.
3. Don't bother with alkalines, they aren't worth your trouble here. Under these loads it's a waste.
 
There is a noticable difference between the Kai adapters and the more expensive ones, like the FM adapters. However, your output should not be that bad. Get some Eneloops, they work really well.

Also, do as many resistance fixes that you can. Deoxit and Progold all the contacts on the Kai adapter. Do the tailcap spring fix. Do the switch fix. Even if you're terrible with electronics, you can Progold all the contact points in the switch and run some soldering wick through the spring in the switch. No soldering skills needed and it will make a difference. Obviously the full switch fix would be preferable, so if you have the skills then go for it.
 
bimemrboy318 said:
OK,

Got myself a couple ROP bulbs, a Kai aluminum MOP reflector, Kai 1D-3AA adapters, Kai glass lens, and Energizer 2500 mah (silver and green ones).

Put them all together with the ROP Hi and it barely ran. A nasty yellow color! Then I put in the Rop Low and it's much better but disappointing. I feel that my Mag 2C with 5 cell MagnumStar and 3xCR123s is brighter. Here are the beam shots. Both were shot at f2.8 and 1/20s.


MagnumStar 5 cell, 3xCR123


ROP Low, Kai aluminum MOP, Kai 1D-3AA adpaters, Energizer 2500 mah

Are the Kai adapters this bad? What if I put in alkalines instead? I don't want to :poof: the ROP Low. Any suggestions on how to get the wow factor into this setup?
Click to expand...


That *IS* pretty dang dim. At f/2.8 1/20 ISO 100 a ROP Low would already be blowing out most of the highlights in the image. (you can guess I am a photographer).

I've said it before and I'll say it again. ROP's require PREMIUM batteries and low resistance connections especially ROP Hi's. It is a demanding light in the aspect that it will severely punish you if you go cheap on the batteries. It will ESPECIALLY punish you if you use alkalines ;)

Try LuxLuthor's custom 6AA-2D welded battery pack and be prepared to be amazed. Also do all the resistance fixes as recommended.

mdocod: I'm very interested in your 6AA solution. Keep me posted and let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.
 
Last edited:
First thing's first: I would check the batteries. You already have a 3xcr123 setup so try the bulb in there. Also, I'm sure you have plenty of alkalines lying around, so try sticking 6 *NEW* alkalines in. I have found that they work quite well with an ROP low bulb and that type of setup. They last maybe 5 minutes before the batteries cry uncle and shrivel up (not literally) like a tick under a mag85 beam, but it is very bright for that short period.

If it works, then I would follow what others said and get some eneloops. they are great and can be had for great prices from costco, amazon and circuit city.

Those Kai (originally lightmania) adapters should work fine for ROP low although they are known to be problematic with ROP hi

hope that helps
 
KevinL said:
Try LuxLuthor's custom 6AA-2D welded battery pack and be prepared to be amazed. Also do all the resistance fixes as recommended.
Click to expand...

I'm running LuxLuthor's custom 6AA-2D pack of eneloops in my ROP's and it is very, very bright with LOLA and the HOLA is :faint:.

LuxLuthors battery pack are very reasonably priced in my opinon, but of course I'm very new in the game when it comes to battery packs.
 
They keep saying Eneloop, but in my experience Rayovac Hybrid and Kodak Precharged LSD NimH are right up there with Eneloop.

I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 dead 2500 Energizer and Duracell NimH.

Nowadays I use LSD NimH or older 2100 and less regular NimH.

My Rop Hi was a 2x18650 but now is a Modamag 6AA/2D with Rayovac 1800. The 1800 haven't been charged in a while, but neither has the light been used. It's pretty bright anyhow! I would imagine that fresh 2100 would be even brighter. But I will venture a guess that you either have VERY high resistence battery holders, one or more FUBAR 2500 or a combination of both!

EDIT: My batteries were in fact down between 1.24 and 1.27
 
Last edited:
I think I was the reason for the dismal output. I charged the Energizer 2500s around the same time I ordered the Kai reflector, adapters, and lens. That was around 2 weeks before actually putting together the light.

I never thought to top them off... I figured they would hold a decent enough charge to light a ROP Low for a "test" period. But I guess not. But I also cleaned all the contacts with alcohol and a Scotchbrite pad.. maybe that helped some.

Anyways, here's the ROP Low and the 3xCR123 5 cell Magnum star shots again. I retook the 3xCR123 shot just to make sure the settings and ambient light were the same. Again, f/2.8 at 1/20s.

Looks much better with fully charged batts! The ROP Hi is brighter but more yellow in color so I'm sticking with the Low bulb with this setup. I'll be doing the tail spring mod and maybe the switch fix.


3xCR123 with 5 cell bulb.


ROP Low with fully charged batteries.
 
Keep us informed of your progress with this. I am setting up almost the same ROP-Lo as you, and will be curious as to your results. I'm waiting for the new local Circuit City to open up so I can pick up some Eneloops.

Thanks.

Eric
 
For those of you who must see the ROP Hi with this setup here it is. I had to re-setup the camera so the framing is a bit off but the settings are the same.


ROP Hi.
 
yep! those 2500s!! darn them!! sad thing is I have CHEAPO Powerizer brand 2500s and Tenergy brand 2600s that all hold a charge for months with no problem. Something about the mainstream brands (energizer/duracell etc) of 2500s is just really wrong.
 
ROP Hi is best driven off the high amperage cells.. mine has never disappointed, but that's with a stack of six Sub-Cs rated for 30 amps behind it, and they hold voltage so well that they've already cost me one 3854 bulb thanks to instaflash :eek:

ROP Lo runs much better on cells that suffer from voltage sag. In particular 18650's.
 
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