Easiest way to convert Maglite 3D/4D to Lux III/V

mdarby

Newly Enlightened
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Feb 4, 2005
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Location
Cupertino, CA
I've been going through some posts about how to modify the Mag D lights with a Luxeon LED, as in the following:

http://darkgear.com/mrbulk/sn2build.htm

I have a 3D and a 4D sitting around the house.

Would taking this route provide any advantage over buying a pre-fabricated bulb or module from the following source:

http://www.quality-items-flashlights.com/index.php?cPath=26

Even though the original mod wasn't that complicated, it's certainly easier to screw in a bulb. Has anybody taken the latter route? Will the quality or performance of the light be any different?

THANKS.
Michael
 
Here are your options:

3D, LuxeonIII, Alkaline - Use Hotlips heatsink with LED epoxied
3D, LuxeonV, NiMh - Use Hotlips heatsink with LuxeonV LED epoxied + Fatman driver

4D, LuxeonIII, NiMh/Alkaline - Use Hotlips heatsink with LuxeonIII LED epoxied + CC5WB driver
4D, LuxeonV, NiMh - Use Hotlips heatsink with LuxeonV LED epoxied + Fatman driver

Check the links in my sig line below.

The prefab module will not be nearly as bright as the first method in your post above.
 
Re: Easiest way to convert Maglite 3D/4D to Lux II

Hotbeam,

Thanks for the summary of options.

Why will the prefab module be significantly less bright if no driver is used? Doesn't the same current reach the same LED? For the other three options, do the drivers raise the current?

Do you have a source for Fatman drivers? The only one I found showed them discontinued.

Thanks for your help!!!
 
Re: Easiest way to convert Maglite 3D/4D to Lux II

The reason that the homemade mod will be brighter is that those adapters are not your standard "direct drive". They're either resistored to drop the current to a lower level, or semi-regulated at a lower current than you will see with direct drive IIRC. They don't have enough heatsinking for full power.
Less power (current), less bright. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

FYI, 3rd_Shift_Lights (member here) is a good source for regularly available turn-key Lux mag mods. Look on Homemade/Modified B/S/T for more info.
 
Re: Easiest way to convert Maglite 3D/4D to Lux II

Also, that link you provided to the drop ins has a review if you need it. Here
Look under the brand "Diamond" and you should get reviews of those LED bulbs.
 
Re: Easiest way to convert Maglite 3D/4D to Lux II

[ QUOTE ]
mdarby said:
Do you have a source for Fatman drivers? The only one I found showed them discontinued.


[/ QUOTE ]

The Fatman drivers aren't discontinued - I'm just out of stock. I ran out of the PCB's and should receive bare boards back from the fab in the next few days. A few more days to build and test and they should be available towards the end of this week or early next week.

george.
 

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