Early tests from Welch Allyn Group Buy

[soloco]

Some of you cpf'ers participated in a Welch Allyn group buy. Here are some early results from the bulbs I purchased. I had 10 (ten) 01185 (9.6V 3.15A 816.81lumens) bulbs and 10 (ten) 01274 (7.2V 2.77A 552.92lumens) bulbs. I tried a few battery combinations.

01274 with 3 123s in series: not very bright. yellow color.

01274 with 6 123s in 2 rows of 3: pretty bright. i have no way of telling if it is driving at spec, but it is bright. slight yellow color, which tells me that it is probably NOT running at full brightness.

01274 with 8 123s in 2 rows of 4: now that's BRIGHT! easily dwarfs any previous incandescent bulbs i have been using. unfortunately, it burned out in about 2 minutes.

01274 with 10 123s in 2 rows of 5 (i just had to try): imagine a camera flash bulb. that's about how bright it was and how long it lasted.

01274 with 6 AA NIMHs with EL 3-to-D holders: very disappointing. the 6 123s was much brighter. i think the AAs have a problem with the current requirements of this bulb.

01185 with 8 123s in 2 rows of 4: sad. not bright at all. very yellow glowing filament.

01185 with 10 123s in 2 rows of 5: still not bright. this is interesting. i guess the 123s have hit their limit on the current they can push out.

01185 with 12 CR2s in 3 rows of 4: The best configuration so far, and the one I'm sticking with. VERY bright!! i still have the feeling this bulb can be pushed a little brighter. i expect a runtime of about 45 minutes or so. i've been reluctant to do a runtime test for fear of burning my house down. this one lights up the room... and the yard... and the neighbor's room...

i'll post pics later.
aloha,
soloco

 

[MR Bulk]

Re: Early tests from WA GB

01148 w/six 123's, 420 lumens, brrright sucker. I call it my Light Saber 'cause when focused to a tightest beam it actually forms a long visible rod emanating from the light's body (red Energizer 4AA DB by lemlux)...

This was the earliest incand. mod that received any real attention on CPF when I posted about it, waaaaay back in early '02. And still among my brightest modded incands., it's a keeper.

 

[Ginseng]

Re: Early tests from WA GB

Thanks for the report soloco,

I was pretty pleased with the 1274 on 3x123 + 1xAA. I thought it was about as bright as the 1318 on 4x123 + 1xAA. Your findings with the 3-D holders is quite ominous. This is the second report I know of reporting unexpected circuit resistance using these holders. Test method notwithstanding, they do seem to be introducing an unacceptable level of voltage drag.

What light did you use for the three strings of CR123s for the 1185? That doesn't fit in a Mag D body.

I was out playing with my 1318 this weekend and the beam was just outstanding. I was able to light up the mechanical shed on the roof of a 14 story apartment building that was itself about 350 feet away from my parents' back deck. They couldn't give a darn about flashlights but still, they were incredulous that a relatively compact, handheld light could do this. This was a 15 foot hotspot at about 400 feet. Bright enough for me to make out window frames and brick patterns.

Wilkey