Drop in MR16 mod

[Chief_Wiggum]

I dug through some olds thread and found this:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=133030&PHPSESSID=&fpart=1#Post133061

X-CalBR8 found some Decostars available in the states. I've been meaning to call them up and order one, but just can't seem to get around to doing it.

Does anyone know if Carley only pots bases for their own bulbs, or will they pot for a MR16 base?

 

[Ginseng]

Chief,

I don't think they pot MR16s, but you can ask. I say this because they do not sell MR16 lamps. They will ceramic pot anybody's bipin bulbs in a PR base though at $1.73 a pop.

Wilkey

 

[soloco]

I tried to get them to make a base for G5.3 bipins, as in MR16.. They were really confused with what I wanted. Eventually I just gave up.

 

[Rothrandir]

aren't mr16 bases available somewhere?

i have been meaning to call a light specialist place in town, but never got around to it...

 

[Ginseng]

The MR16 bulb holders are easily found. However, I think we're talking about a G5.3 to PR base adaption. This is the no go.

Wilkey

 

[LEDmodMan]

[ QUOTE ]
Rothrandir said:

i wanted to keep it 3d or less, but i think i might need to bite my unrealistic wants and get a 6d with 12powerstream 1/2d's.



[/ QUOTE ]

Roth, unfortunately, a dozen 1/2 D's WILL NOT fit into a mag 6D. IIRC, only 10 will fit. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Stefan]

A possible suggestion (albiet an expensive one) is head to a bike shop, and pick up 6 volt MR11 bulbs. I'm sure with the size of the donor flashlight that its easier to rig it up for 6 volts than to get the higher voltages of the 12 volt systems.

Side note: I'm running my 6 volt MR11 bike light off of a 7.2 volt ni-cd battery pack, meant for R/C cars.

 

[Rothrandir]

really led?

so they aren't exactly half the size of a dcell?

so i wouldn't be able to use 4 of them in a 2d?

ginny, where have you found the holders? menards and home depot didn't have them...

 

[X-CalBR8]

Chief: I got those Decostars there a while back, but you should still be able to order from that source. It took me many days of Googling and making phone calls to find someone in the U.S. that carried those, but it eventually paid off with the above referenced source. To my knowledge, that is still the only U.S. source known to carry the Decostar line of MR16s.

The Phillips bulb is a little bit better bulb than the Decostar and is much easier to find in the U.S., but at the cost of nearly 3x the price of the Decostar! Not only that, but most places that I checked wanted me to order in a ridiculously large quantity as well.

Now my only major obstacle left is to find a good adapter, such as the one that you just built, so that I can just drop the MR16 right in there without having to butcher my Mag to put in a ceramic MR16 holder. I really like the approach that you have taken here because it seems to be totally reversible which is just what I'm looking for. Kudos on the great mod! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[soloco]

1/2D cells are actually 3/5D size cells. I have no idea why they are called 1/2Ds. I am going to use 10 1/2C cells. These actually ARE 1/2C sized 1/2C cells. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Chief_Wiggum]

This mod would be so much easier if I could just find someone to pot some bases for me. Maybe I'll try to call Carley anyway...

 

[lemlux]

Roth:

D's are 61 mm long.

1/2 D's are 37 mm long.

5 * 37 mm = 185 mm
3 * 61 mm = 183 mm

 

[Darkcobra]

Great mod Chief!
I've always wanted to try a neat/simple MR bulb mod,I think this will be it! Please pass on any word regarding the bi-pin adapters as this is the part that is kind of challenging for me.

Thanks!

 

[Chief_Wiggum]

I have a couple more bulb bases to make up, so I'll post a tutorial on how to make 'em. Not difficult, just a pain in the butt /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Darkcobra]

Thank you sir, any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Rothrandir]

thanks lem, i guess i'll just have to drive it at specs /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif (dam, i hate that!)

 

[pwell]

[ QUOTE ]
Rothrandir said:
i have no way to run it! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
with nihm or nicad aa's it will only last a <font color="red">very</font> short time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

i wanted to keep it 3d or less, but i think i might need to bite my unrealistic wants and get a 6d with 12powerstream 1/2d's.

i really need a smart charger for it though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif (anyone make a cheap smartcharger? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

[/ QUOTE ]

12 x AA NiCDs (Sanyo 1000mAh) will run the 50W bulb for about 10 - 15 minutes.

Stay with the 3D size. I did and its like having pocket searchlight. It lights up all the trees down the back of our padock as good as a spotlight. :-) I visited a friend in Sydney and pulled it out. He couldnt believe the power it had compared to his 6d mag. I tihnk I was using the Osram 12degree 50W. I picked up a bunch in Korea (where I am again now) for pretty cheap.

Be warned though. The 50W lamp gets VERY HOT. It would be a fire hazard if accidently switched on. If it was under something, there would be an even greater chance. I guess you know of this though.

With the 3d mod I made, I had to take out the switch and improvise my own. Its fairly safe, but not impossible to be turned on accidently. Thats why I'd never bury it in luggage or take it on a plane. (Unless the batts were pulled out).

If you do use the 6d you will also have a weapon.

Cheers

 

[Rothrandir]

a fire hazard indeed! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowlaugh.gif

the 12 nicads aren't really the problem (expect for the cost), the problem is charging them /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
the same problem applys to the powerstreams of course, but it would at least allow for a longer runtime.

when i do finally make this, i plan on putting a plug in the tailcap, and just plugging it into a smartcharger than can charge my 12batts in series. if anyone out there is willing to make one for a reasonable cost, i would be extremely thrilled.

 

[lemlux]

Roth:

One of the nice features of the Maha C777 Plus II is that it will charge 12 cell NiCad and NiMH packs (in addition to naked Li-Ions).

You're capable of installing charging contacts in both your light and in a cable you can hook up to the charger.

 

[Rothrandir]

yes, i know there are chargers that can do it, but none of them are within my budget /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

i guess at this point i can just say "some day... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif"