I thought that i'd also share this one with you.
First, take El-cheapo flashlight.
Then take one previously assebled boost-converter/regulator.
Attach it to the lamp assembly.
Assemble the torch and hit the switch.
Actually it wasn't so easy. First of all, the contacts on the bloody lamp can't be soldered. So I had to make other arrangements to connect the wiring. Secondly I made this light in about one hour mainly because the boost-converter was previously assembled to evaluate it before starting 2D mag++ project. Next I had to solve the heating problem, since this light didn't have any heatsink to the bulb. Well I didn't solve it, just ignored it. This lamp actually isn't so cheaply manufactured I made it sound. The reflector took quite a punishment from a 12V/8.4W bulb with no visible damage. Of course I didn't drive it too long, but some 15 minutes at least. This one is built to be a economic thrower, not general lighting for long periods of time. It does it fairly well.
The bulb is once again Magnum Star Xe 6-cell driven about 7.25-7.30 volts. I wouldn't dream of putting anything more powerful in to this light. Power is drain from 4 D size NiMh cells, rated 4.5 Ah. They were about half used and remained at 4.3 volts total with full load (about 1.5-1.6A). I consider this as a fair result, since they were quite cheap. I measured this converters efficiency to be 89% (in: 4.00V/1.75A out:7.28V/0.86A) so the lamp should be running a decent time with fully charged cells. On the other hand, it can be driven with alkalines, but I'd say that they won't last very long with these discharge currents.
Funny thing about this light is, that it's actually better sealed than a maglite, so I'll consider it weather-proof.
So much for the 6D+ performance in a cheap 4D light. Cheers.
First, take El-cheapo flashlight.
Then take one previously assebled boost-converter/regulator.
Attach it to the lamp assembly.
Assemble the torch and hit the switch.
Actually it wasn't so easy. First of all, the contacts on the bloody lamp can't be soldered. So I had to make other arrangements to connect the wiring. Secondly I made this light in about one hour mainly because the boost-converter was previously assembled to evaluate it before starting 2D mag++ project. Next I had to solve the heating problem, since this light didn't have any heatsink to the bulb. Well I didn't solve it, just ignored it. This lamp actually isn't so cheaply manufactured I made it sound. The reflector took quite a punishment from a 12V/8.4W bulb with no visible damage. Of course I didn't drive it too long, but some 15 minutes at least. This one is built to be a economic thrower, not general lighting for long periods of time. It does it fairly well.
The bulb is once again Magnum Star Xe 6-cell driven about 7.25-7.30 volts. I wouldn't dream of putting anything more powerful in to this light. Power is drain from 4 D size NiMh cells, rated 4.5 Ah. They were about half used and remained at 4.3 volts total with full load (about 1.5-1.6A). I consider this as a fair result, since they were quite cheap. I measured this converters efficiency to be 89% (in: 4.00V/1.75A out:7.28V/0.86A) so the lamp should be running a decent time with fully charged cells. On the other hand, it can be driven with alkalines, but I'd say that they won't last very long with these discharge currents.
Funny thing about this light is, that it's actually better sealed than a maglite, so I'll consider it weather-proof.
So much for the 6D+ performance in a cheap 4D light. Cheers.