Help this n00b build a light.

[IcantC]

So I have always watched and read of people modding lights here, most do a great job. I too would like to start modding lights on my own.

Can someone suggest me an easy project? I was going to take on some 2D Mag conversion(since I have a spare Mag). I would not mind something else.

I do see many

I have read these 2 among many other threads
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1738892#post1738892

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=144087


So if I wanted to convert my 2D to LED, which LED and heatsink combo would you recommend along with resistor. Also I see some P7 parts have shown up, if possible I can try P7 if it is not too hard.

Or I can buy some cheapo light from DX and mod that(though I would have to wait for a month to get all the parts :naughty:. I

Post up some suggestions! Thanks.

Also I do not have a soldering iron anymore, had a cheapo one that a friend took. So let me know which one to buy which is decent( ie not pricey).

 

[LukeA]

I think 30-35W is a good iron for this type of work. I like my 35W Weller WP35, but it was $40.

A nice simple mod is a LITEMania heatsink with an SSC running from a Micropuck at 500mA. Great runtime and good brightness. Or you could use a 1000mA buckpuck with a 6AA-2D adaptor.

 

[kavvika]

Home depot sells a nice 40w Weller for around $18. You'll need a smaller tip for this delicate work, though.

For a 2D Maglite, your most price conscious choice will be to use a low-vF Seoul P4 emitter from Photon Fanatic, a H22A hard-anodized DHS heatsink, and DX #7882 driver. Other than the Lowes TF 2C driver (which absolutely rocks, but can not be found separately), this is the only 2-cell boost driver I know of.

 

[Gunner12]

You can probably do something like this, except with DX parts if you want to.

As for soldering irons, don't ask me.

 

[wildstar87]

You could convert that 2D to a 3C using 1" PVC 450PSI pipe, and cutting down the spring, then direct drive an SSC P4 on a DHS Heatsink.

Really simple and easy, and bright! Just did this for a friend, he is really happy with it. I also modded another 2 mags that are 3D Direct Drive with the same setup. It definitely works with Alkalines, and should be awesome with NiMH.

If you didn't want to direct drive it, or wanted something with modes, you could still do the 3C route, and get an AMC7135 driver from DX.

 

[IcantC]

Ok thanks for the feedback guys! A few questions, I assume the driver is if I want modes or longer runtime?

If I do the 2D to 3C directdrive, what is the runtime and lumen output?

I do not care for modes, but would like something decent bright and good runtime.

 

[wildstar87]

Yeah the driver is for modes, and it does have the ability to run at lower current levels (low, med, high), so would have longer runtime.

A driver is also used if adjusting to different voltages, as in Buck (battery voltage is too high, so it reduces to LED), or Boost (battery voltage is too low, so it boosts).

The 3C is basically running at 1A, so with an SSC P4 would be around 220-240 bulb lumens on fresh, with declining brightness as the batteries ability to supply current diminishes. Though with LEDs they get more efficient as the current goes down. Runtime I believe would be much higher than an incandesescent bulb, but I couldn't tell you by how much, and of course a C battery is going to have less capacity than a D.

 

[IcantC]

Ok as for soldering irons, is this the one?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100391613

Where I can get more tips from? In the pic it seems to come with a finer tip.

Or is something like this better?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062737

or

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...&cp=2032058.2032236.2032313&parentPage=family

I also plan to get

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062745

and I guess which solder do I need to buy? I see so many on radioshacks website :/.

 

[Amonra]

you can turn your 2d into a 3c as wildstar suggested and then do this : http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=195358
you will need 3 x nimh c batts though.
for something simpler you could get rid of the drivers and just wire the switch directly to the led. the batts won't have enough juice to power the p7 at full capabilities but it will be a very bright light nonetheless.

 

[IcantC]

you can turn your 2d into a 3c as wildstar suggested and then do this : http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=195358
you will need 3 x nimh c batts though.
for something simpler you could get rid of the drivers and just wire the switch directly to the led. the batts won't have enough juice to power the p7 at full capabilities but it will be a very bright light nonetheless.

Already have the P7 assembled on heatsink headed my way . Plan to direct drive in a 2D mag using 3C's.:naughty: