Fire~Fly II for newbies & SO17XA reflector mod

[matrixshaman]

Re: Fire~Fly II for newbies & SX017A reflector mod

Actually I'm scoping out an old Mini Maglite that uses two AAA batteries. It looks like it has about a 15mm reflector in it. Center hole would of course need to be enlarged and I don't know about length since I don't have my Fire~fly yet but I could see this possibly being an easier mod than all the work that seems involved in modding the S017XA reflector. If I need to mod the SO17XA I'm fairly sure I can do it but it really seems that shaving this down so thin is not the way I typically like to have my lights. If this light is all I think it is I'm going to keep working on solutions until it is bulletproof.

 

[sithjedi333]

Re: Fire~Fly II for newbies & SX017A reflector mod

Cool matrix, let us know how it goes!

 

[greenLED]

Re: Fire~Fly II for newbies & SX017A reflector mod

sithjedi333, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif great one-stop reference thread for FF wannabe's. This one's going into my Favorites!

 

[matrixshaman]

Re: Fire~Fly II for newbies & SX017A reflector mod

I just got my Jil lite - another micro blazer torch. In looking at it's reflector I'm thinking if we could get hold of these reflectors they might just be a fit for the Fire~fly or at least a lot closer than the SO17XA's. Now if we can just get Warren to sell us some - that might be another thing... But you would think they might be available somewhere or maybe a group buy would be in order if someone can get hold of just one to try out. I'm not up to tearing my new Jil lite apart at this point.

 

[sithjedi333]

Re: Fire~Fly II for newbies & SX017A reflector mod

greenLED, thanks, though I can't claim credit, which goes to the ones who came before me. I just like to spread the word of this amazing little light.

matrix, I've explored the possibility of using that reflector. Apparently it's made out of uncoated aluminum, and is difficult to work with. Also, the beam has a broader hotspot than the SO17XA. The folks who have successfully put them into the light had to modify the Fire~Fly head too, so it's a nontrivial project. The reflectors are available on the JIL lite website, but ordering them here in the US is another matter. There is a new version of the reflector coming out that will have the same beam angle but with increased efficiency so it might be worth waiting for those. Hope that helps.

 

[matrixshaman]

Re: Fire~Fly II for newbies & SX017A reflector mod

sithjedi333 - thanks again. I'm guessing the Fire~Fly with a 500ma board running at 3 volts will actually be using a little more wattage than a Jil Lite and with a reflector will be a little brighter (IE=P so power should be 1.5 watts consumed). Do you know if the Firefly can handle RCR123 rechargeables (up to 4.2v off the charger)? I think I saw somewhere in all the threads I've been reading on the FF that they are not recommended. It's funny since I've got the FF on the way I find myself looking at every shiny parabolic shaped thing around. Nothing is safe around here right now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sithjedi333]

Re: Fire~Fly II for newbies & SX017A reflector mod

I know what you mean by getting reflector fever, I went through it too before I went ahead and modded the SO17XA.

I don't use rechargeables, but according to the Badboy specs at the Sandwich Shoppe, the max input is somewhere between 3-3.5V, so I think yours would be running hot for it. I would ask dat2zip in the Shoppe forum for a definitive answer though. He's the expert.

 

[DSpeck]

Re: Fire~Fly II for newbies & SX017A reflector mod

AFAIK, Wayne does not recommend R123s for the BB sandwiches.

Keep up the good work with the reflectors, guys - sounds like fun! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif