Guidance on modding a Black Diamond Moonlight?

[DirtyBird]

Howdy fellas.

I'm thinking of taking a crack at modding my trusty old Black Diamond Moonlight headlamp. Remember the Moonlight? It was the War of the Worlds looking headlamp with the four LEDs in the nifty looking housing. My Moonlight is super-old, and just has two modes - off, and on.

I'd like to swap in some better LEDs, but I'm not sure what kind would work best. The headlamp runs off 3 AAA's, and the LEDs seem to be pretty much just held in place by a plastic housing, so I guess I can't run any really hot LEDs.

My technical skills consist of most of the time being able to work a soldering iron.

What sayest the hive?

 

[TMorita]

I have one modded, and one stock.

It really depends on how you want to "improve" the Moonlight. The stock Moonlight uses the Nichia NSPW500BS LEDs, so it's not that bright.

One mod would be to double the light output with the same runtime by replacing the LEDs with NSPW500CS. If you can get ahold of the new NSPW500DS (which is unobtanium right now, but should be available in a month or two) you will quadruple the light output from stock.

I personally wanted a floodier light, and didn't like the blue center with the brown halo, so I replaced the LEDs on one unit with some wider-angle LEDs, which worked out really well.

Toshi

 

[PhantomPhoton]

I have one laying about in a box somewhere. I think If I were to mod it I'd wiat for some DS Nichias. I'd also consider finding a wider angle LED and putting 2 wide angles on the outside and two DS on the inside.
Any recommendations for non Nichia 5mm LEDs? LS Diodes appears to be out so I can't get any more THC3's from them. Any good places to browse 5mm LEDs?

 

[TMorita]

...
Any recommendations for non Nichia 5mm LEDs? LS Diodes appears to be out so I can't get any more THC3's from them. Any good places to browse 5mm LEDs?

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=149200

Toshi

 

[Gnufsh]

I swapped out the LEDs in mine for nichia CS LEDs:
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=149138

 

[DirtyBird]

My gosh fellas, thanks for all the input. Haven't been able to get onto CPF for a few days, so I was really happy to see all the suggestions I've received.

I'm sorry to be so thick, but I want to make sure I get this right. Can I do my mod with the following:

http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?cPath=48_52_82&products_id=755

Looks like that's a 4 pack? Is there anything else I need to do my mod, other than time and a soldering iron? 'Cause if so, I'm ready to order!

Thanks again. I appreciate y'all helping to clue this newbie in.