Heatsink for EverLED in maglite?

[greg_in_canada]

In one thread about EverLEDs someone mentioned
the light dimming after a few minutes due to the
EverLED heating up (in a plastic flashlight I think
it was).

So I was looking at my mag and wondering if there
was a way to dissipate the heat.

The easiest I think would be an aluminum donut that
friction fits over the nut holding the bulb in, and on
the outside, friction fits against the flashlight body.

More difficult (but better) would be a donut that
is threaded on the inside that would replace the nut
that holds the bulb in. Again it would contact the
flashlight body on its outer edge.

This would involve cutting off the cam so you would
lose focusing (aside from the focusing due to threading
the head on or off a bit).

But perhaps you could leave a little bump when you cut off
the cam. Then machine a groove in the donut where the
depth varies around the circle. Basically make the
the old cam into the cam follower and the heatsink
into the new cam. It wouldn't be as smooth as the original
since it would be a sliding cam rather than a rolling
one. But perhaps with a bit of teflon grease or something
it would be fine.

The cam might have to be shallower both to reduce friction,
and so it doesn't cut through the heatsink at its deepest
point.

Has anyone done something like this?

Thanks - Greg

 

[BatteryCharger]

If you're going to go through all that trouble you would be MUCH better off getting a hotlips (aluminum HS) and a 1 watt or even better 3 watt Luxeon.

 

[greg_in_canada]

Probably true. But I already ordered the EverLED /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Greg

 

[14C]

I have never seen an EverLEd dim after "a few minutes" in a Mag. I just turned on my plastc "el cheapo" two cell (I got this with a wall mounted battery storage unit/light/radio unit I picked up at Costco a year ago) with the EverLED to see what happens.

 

[14C]

OK..what is it...almost 30 minutes and I see no dimming.


Edit:

Whoops..almost 20 minutes.......

 

[BatteryCharger]

It probably does dim, but as much as I use my EverLED Mags, I've never noticed it.

 

[14C]

30 minutes for real no..no "dimming". The lense of the light is not even warm. I just pulled the EverLED and the base is "hot shower" warm. Uncomfortable at first but you can hold it. My estimate is 110 to 115 degrees F. Gonna put it back in the holder.

Wish I had the stuff to be more scientific about it but I think someone has a bad one.

 

[14C]

30 minutes for real no..no "dimming". The lense of the light is not even warm. I just pulled the EverLED and the base is "hot shower" warm. Uncomfortable at first but you can hold it. My estimate is 110 to 115 degrees F. Gonna put it back in the holder in the closet.

Wish I had the stuff to be more scientific about it but I think someone has a bad one.

 

[greg_in_canada]

I think the comment may have been about using the
EverLED in a 3 or 4 cell flashlight. From the
flashlightreviews review it seemed the EverLED is
about 50% brighter with 3 cells vs 2, and a bit
brighter still going from 3 to 4. So I would guess
the power disipatation is 50% higher too.

Greg

 

[14C]

I used it in 2 and 3 D cell lights..can't comment about 4 cells.

I have noticed a BIT of brightness in 3 D cell lights but the runtime seems longer. I have never had a problem in 3D lights with heat but then again they were Mags and all had the normal post for sinking.

I just wanted to test and comment on the "plastic flashlight theory".

Yes, they do warm up but I have not seen any degradation.

Interestingly enough the "regulated" 3 W TerraLux TLE-6 is still not out. The VP told me they were focusing on the mini-mag drop-ins but also mentioned problems with heat-sinking and regulation.

I can beleive it about the 3W drop in LEDs but I have a hard time thinking the 1 watt ones are having problems.

 

[BatteryCharger]

[ QUOTE ]
greg_in_canada said:
From the
flashlightreviews review it seemed the EverLED is
about 50% brighter with 3 cells vs 2, and a bit
brighter still going from 3 to 4.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not in the least. From 2 to 3 cells the EverLED is only slightly brigter, not even close to 50%. From 3-4 cells the difference is barely measurable - MAYBE a candle or two, if that.

 

[greg_in_canada]

In the review here http://flashlightreviews3.home.att.net/reviews/everled.htm
he says the light goes from 17.4 to 23.5 to 24.4 with
2, 3 then 4 cells.

So the first step is +35% (not 50% as I remembered) and
the second step is 4%. So the total jump from 2 to 4
cells is +40%.

So it would seem the heat would go up by 40% from 2 to
4 cells, unless the LED or regulator happened to get
more efficient over that range.

Greg

 

[Ray_of_Light]

I have filled the gap with heatsink compound. That keeps the EverLed cold in M@glites.
Anthony

 

[shannow]

Im about to buy an everLED for a 6 D cell maglite. Ive read the review at LED museum which pretty much convinced me to buy it.
Is eveyone happy with the brightness of the everLED, knowing its only 1.2W? Can anyone give me a comparison compared to another LED light? or beam shots?

 

[James S]

It's not going to be as bright as the built in bulb for a 6D mag. The runtime will be spectacular in that configuration, but it's an awful lot to carry around for the same brightness you can get in a 3D configuration size.

I really think that you'd be better off with one of the 3 or 5 watt mods in a 6D mag /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

There is difference in the brightness of the everled from 2 to 3+ cells because it switches from boost mode which is less efficient to a buck mode to drop the voltage between those 2 levels and that is more efficient.

Right now mine is in a little 2 AA cell light with a half way decent reflector and it works just fine. I've run it both in 2 and 3 D cell mags without any problems. If you run it for extended periods it will heat up and reduce it's brightness to keep from overheating. But you don't have to worry about it, the device itself will adjust it's output to compensate. If you do do something to get the heat out of there better though it won't drop it's output during longer runtimes.

I am very happy with my everled.

 

[turbodog]

Just put it in a 3 cell C mag with a sprayed reflector.

 

[greg_in_canada]

Mine is in a 2D mag and with the Scotch Satin tape
over the lens the beam is very smooth but still
focus-able.

It is very liveable until I get time to sputter
my reflector. But note that I'm not an expert
on beam quality.

Greg

 

[Phaserburn]

I've never had mine dim itself while running it in a 3D Mag. I think the heatsinking is more than adequate.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

My Everled is a Teal (and thus doesn't get as much use as a White would). That said, I have run it in a couple different 2AA lights with textured reflectors and have never noticed ANY problem with heat.

 

[3rd_shift]

I kinda liked the heatsink compound idea.
A computer store will have the stuff.
I'd try that 1st imho. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif
You can also look for an older 3 cell flashlight from the 1970's on back to the 50's with a metal reflector to dissipate the heat with.
Many of today's el cheapo 2 - 4 cell flashlights with a slide switch usually have a metal (-) contact collar that dissipates heat ok too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I still have my 2 cell Eveready Commander flashlight since 1975, with a white everled and 3 aeronimh half d cells from Ginseng in it doing a great job. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Our Everled drop ins may seem extravagant for now, but I can see where a well kept Everled can be quite a valuable collectors item 50 years from now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Any effort to keep them cool may be quite worthwhile later on imo.
Good luck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif