First time modding MAG 2D with P7

[lengz]

Hi guys, first time posting after lurking for information. I plan on modding a Maglite 2D for a P7. Here is my checklist:

Litemania Heatsink: http://litemania.org/product.php?id_product=10P7
PureWhite Emitter CSX0I http://litemania.org/product.php?id_product=9
DX Driver: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20330
2AA to D: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7031

Please comment on the above items; is there anything wrong with this set up? I plan to run this on 4AA Nimh, (2AA per D). Is there enough voltage? I don't plan on using any other cells since this will mainly be a family item, and finding AA's and recharging them will be simplest. Thanks for the input!

 

[ti-force]

It's been pointed out on here (CPF) that some of the components on the driver you linked to are being ran out of spec. Some members have had excellent results using those drivers, but I thought I'd make you aware of that.

 

[lengz]

Would this driver from SB be a better choice? http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-132/3-dsh-Mode-Regulated-Circuit-Board/Detail

 

[737mech]

I don't think that cell setup is very good. If you want to use a 2D I would get:
- HipCC driver from taskled.com
- a 6aa to 2D battery adapter from mdocod, fivemega, or the Sandwich Shoppe
-Samyo eneloops aa's
- or better yet 2x AW 18650 Li-Ion cells and make a battery adapter out of PVC.

For a simpler and very good light you could do a very common P7 mod using a Maglite 3D, 3 D size Nimh cells. This is a great setup and requires no driver, just run it straight off the batteries. Do some searching around the forum and you could read all night about Maglite P7 mods. I hope this helps!

 

[Mettee]

ALSO...

DerWtichtels Buck driver...dont forget that.

 

[gswitter]

Hi guys, first time posting after lurking for information. I plan on modding a Maglite 2D for a P7. Here is my checklist:

Litemania Heatsink: http://litemania.org/product.php?id_product=10P7
PureWhite Emitter CSX0I http://litemania.org/product.php?id_product=9
DX Driver: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20330
2AA to D: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7031

Please comment on the above items; is there anything wrong with this set up? I plan to run this on 4AA Nimh, (2AA per D). Is there enough voltage? I don't plan on using any other cells since this will mainly be a family item, and finding AA's and recharging them will be simplest. Thanks for the input!

Isn't that a buck converter (Vbat probably needs to be greater than LED Vf)? Don't think that's going to work with 2x 2AA->D parallel adapters (2.4V total).

If you want to run a P7 in a 2D with NiMH AA's:

• skip the driver and direct drive the LED with 3x AA's (you can always switch to C cells - same length, only wider - later for longer run time)
• make an adapter tube out of rubber hose, PVC, rolled up paper, whatever
• scrape the anodizing off the inside, bottom of the tailcap
• use a smaller spring for contact between the bottom of the cell and inside, bottom of the tailcap

 

[Mettee]

I agree with gswitter, depending on what type of battery you use a driver may not be needed unless you want dimming control. And the 2xAA holders may not provide you with much run time. You may want to look at some more battery options.

 

[old4570]

Sorry , wrong batteries for SSC P7 , unless your planning on running 14500's .

I might float this past you first :

2xAA - D converter [ 2x14500 ] I hope its parallel and not in series .

Or 3xAA - D I run these myself , and as long as the current is not to high [ AMPs ] there OK . [ Rechargeable AA's ]

I use the driver myself , and so far its OK .

Ooops , its a dual AA carrier you linked to , yeah , forget the AA's , if its parallel set up , you would want 14500 Li-ion , 4 of those in those carriers would give you 8.4v and close to maybe 1800mA capacity ..

6 x AA would offer over 2000mA capacity depending on batteries , and close to 8v or possibly a little more .

 

[lengz]

I see, thanks for the input; I was hoping using the (2x)2AA->1D would be enough. old4570, if I use (2x)3AA->1D in the set up with the driver listed in my set up, would it work out? Or should I just choose another driver?

 

[LEDninja]

2AA to D: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7031

I plan to run this on 4AA Nimh, (2AA per D). Is there enough voltage?

Your driver is a buck circuit. You will need ~4.5 to 8.4 volts.

The 2AA to D is in parallel. You will only get 2.4V in a 2D. Not enough voltage.

The 3AA to D is in series. 6AA to 2D will give you 7.2V. The DX/KD 3AA to D have been reported to melt under the high amp draw of a P7. So get the 6AA to 2D that 737mech recommends.
mdocod
Sandwich Shoppe
-
fivemega I think you need to bore out your Mag for the fivemega adapters.

 

[old4570]

I see, thanks for the input; I was hoping using the (2x)2AA->1D would be enough. old4570, if I use (2x)3AA->1D in the set up with the driver listed in my set up, would it work out? Or should I just choose another driver?

This driver will work with 6xAA .. 2 x 3AA

Fully charged my AA's sit on 1.35v , maybe a little more if its a better cell .
6x1.35 = 8.1volts .. The driver you linked to is optimized for 8.4v , so around 8v should be fine ..

Depleted the batts will be about 6v , about the same as 2 x 18650 ..
Its as close to optimum as you can get .. [ Batteries vise ]

I use the 3xAA carriers myself in two mag mods .
Im pushing the driver some what harder in my SSC P7 as Im using 9xAA or 12v
And it hasn't died as yet .

 

[lengz]

Have you had any heat or melting problems using the 3AA->1D from KD?

 

[old4570]

Have you had any heat or melting problems using the 3AA->1D from KD?

No problems so far , from what I understand , problems begin around 2A current draw and beyond ..

With 8v you will be right around the 2A , if you keep looking at DX you will find the 5 mode version of this driver , so you wont need to run on high all the time .

I have one myself , but havent used it as yet as Im pushing the single mode one to see if it dies or not .

I would recommend the 5 mode one . so you can run lower output , If I remember correctly , the battery carriers only suffered on long runs , and did I read some one melted theres when they ran for 20Minutes on high/max and over 2A [ was it 3A ?? ]

Now the other option is to run Dry cells , it about halves the output as the batteries cant deliver that much current .

But the good thing about mag mods , is you can change things easy enough , so if you want to go another way latter on , you can .

But check out the 5 mode version , it offers you the options of Lo and Medium so you dont need to run high for extended periods .
In fact Medium might be around 300Lumen + , which is plenty , and Low might be 100Lumen + , again plenty .

 

[lengz]

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20329

Reading the reviews, I see that it doesn't have memory, but starts at MEDIUM. Seems okay with me; is this the one you are talking about?

 

[old4570]

Yep , thats the one !

I havent used it as yet , so cant comment on it .

One of these days I will have to swap it in to my P7 mag mod