help me building a MAG HID!

[FILIPPO]

hi all,

My light related dream is to have a mag (as stelath as possible) with an HID bulb...

I know Mac used to sell his mini HID but I want to build it on my own rolleyes...

can anyone please give me some advice for this work?
I don't know absolutely nothing about HID bulbs (sometimes I read Ballast...what's that!:thinking:)...

my lights should be:
a modded mag-lite
3D size or smaller
standard switch ( probably without tower??)
not very powerful (10W as mac's hid is enough)
I already have reflector and lens so don't worry..
batteries are not a problem too...li-ion or nimh...battery carrier or battery pack...
runtime is quite important...1 hr 1/2 would be perfect but I'm OK with only 1 hr too

thanks in advance!

 

[scott.cr]

The Welch-Allyn HID ballast is common to use for this conversion since it's already round in shape, and very close to drop-in fit for a Mag. But, it is not 100% drop-in, as the Mag's I.D. is a bit smaller than the O.D. of the ballast, so the Mag would have to be bored.

Then you'll probably want to use a battery that won't fit the standard Mag either, so it would have to be cut down, or you could use a spacer.

This could probably be done with hand tools, but for the $$$$ you'd be paying for the ballast and capsule I hope you have very steady hands.

 

[FILIPPO]

do you know where I can buy WA ballast and a 10W HID bulb?

I'd like some suggestion about connecting switch/ballast/bulb...

 

[darkzero]

do you know where I can buy WA ballast and a 10W HID bulb?

I'd like some suggestion about connecting switch/ballast/bulb...

I've have a Silver Legacy Mini-HID Mag. I bought mine as a "kit" rather than TK & assembled it myself.

http://www.silverlegacy.info/LIGHT/MAG2DHID.htm

I recommend using a switch that does not have momntary or a reverse clicky but it's not necessary.

 

[rizky_p]

@Darkzero: how did you order one? was it easy to assemble?

 

[LukeA]

I've have a Silver Legacy Mini-HID Mag. I bought mine as a "kit" rather than TK & assembled it myself.

http://www.silverlegacy.info/LIGHT/MAG2DHID.htm

I recommend using a switch that does not have momntary or a reverse clicky but it's not necessary.

Will that support RCR123?

 

[Gunnerboy]

@Darkzero: how did you order one? was it easy to assemble?

CPF member SilverLegacy is retired from building lights. Check out some of his lights though!

Gary


Edit: Sorry for going off-topic.

 

[darkzero]

Gary is correct. Here is another page that shows more of the build. http://www.silverlegacy.info/LIGHT/MAG2DHID3rd.htm

IMO it was fairly easy to assemble but that was because SL did a great job on making the parts for the kit. UFOkillerz offered a few runs of these. Most sold as TKs. I was one of the few that ordered it as a kit.

I'm glad I came across this thread, thanks. I've had an extra WA ballast sitting around for a long time that I need to do something with.

 

[LukeA]

Thank you for so completely answering my question as well.

 

[FILIPPO]

Ok....thanks for this info to all but I haven't solved my problem yet :sick2:

I tryed to understand something from that "How to..." web page and I discoverde that my work may be simplier because I don't have to short a mag or make a battery carrier...

do you know if someone sell ballast/starter with a sort of socket for HID bulbs?

If yes than will be easy to cut mag tower an connect +/- wires to the ballast..........won't it? :duh2::thinking:

 

[FILIPPO]

are these kit still available? :thinking:

because I think not do you know if someone sells a sort of light engine composed by ballast and HID bulb that fit in the mag tube?

 

[Nereus]

Filippo, please have a look on this site.

WBR,

-N

 

[FILIPPO]

Filippo, please have a look on this site.

WBR,

-N

hi nereus...I have already seen that thread (see post #35 )

I'd like to know if I can use an HID bulb without installing "that thing in the tailcap"..:duh2: I suppose it isn't the ballast :thinking:

how did you connected the switch to the lamp?

thank to all and excuse me for the huge quantity of questions, for my bad english, for my... :sick2:

 

[Nereus]

There is a constant-voltage step-down converter in the tailcap. You can skip it and use 8 AA cells and direct drive to the ballast. The ballast is located in the very front of the flashlight body.

I connected the microswitch under the switch rubber to a mosfet in the tailcap.

WBR,

-N

 

[2000xlt]

I was thinking of doing this also, if i were to do direct drive on 8AA, Well first i noticed that in the pictures the top of the body inside was bored, How much material was bored, and what was the length of the cut?

 

[FILIPPO]

thanks for your infos nereus...

I have some other question for you

does the ballast have a built in socket for the bulb?
where did you get the ballast/bulb?
did you cut the tower of the mag switch?


thanks again!

 

[rizky_p]

anyone have a picture of WA 10w HID ballast?

maybe someone should start a groupbuy on this.

 

[darkzero]

anyone have a picture of WA 10w HID ballast?

Ballast is 35mm in diameter. The ballast I have in the Mag is installed 16.1mm deep (measured from top of ballast's housing to the end of Mag the barrel) & has good focus.

 

[FILIPPO]

WOW thanks darkzero!

how is the ballast locked to the body?

 

[2000xlt]

Ballast is 35mm in diameter. The ballast I have in the Mag is installed 16.1mm deep (measured from top of ballast's housing to the end of Mag the barrel) & has good focus.

So its 16.1mm from the top of the ballast to the end of the body?? whats the total length of the of the 35mm bored section.