Ok guys,
I realize that when we speak about regulation, generally we are looking at LED's but today I come to the great minds of CPF with a new issue.
As a PO I have very different and dynamic needs from most people when it comes to flashlight use. As I once put it to me its not just a flashlight, its a child finder, a car stopper, a breaching device and some times a weapon. I have a special draw to things that just constantly work. I don't care how pretty they are or if they have strobe or anything I just want them bright. Here en-lies todays current moral dilemma.
Up until YOU PEOPLE, well you and google,
(and yes I really like you all but I feel my bank account is starting to suffer) started me on this hobby I thought that a 3D mag lite was simply the greatest thing on earth. 
I was happy content and ignorant. Then the new job came and a flashlight became more (see above). Then I learned more, and now... well I know about regulation. This is a problem, because now, well now; dimming really really bothers me... a lot. Like a lot a lot.
Here is my dilemma. Run time is not an issue for me... if I can get 30 min out of a light, thats kick *** fine. The problem is that every-time I turn the light on I really really want it to be at peak brightness. Its no good if the thing is great at the start of the shift, but at the end its weak and yellowed. But more than that... Im never sure when to change the bats. As many of us have illustrated, the dimming effect of most lights is hardly noticeable as its used. Thus Im never sure where I am in the battery cycle so I am constantly changing batteries to try to avoid not having the brightest. Call me compulsive. Thus I would much rather have a light that is there 100% all the time and then is OUT. Its easy cause at this point, Wow its time to change the batteries. Better still would be a five min flash warning when bats are getting low... but now Im dreaming. I cary spare lights and spare bats on me all the time any way so it dying wouldn't be the worst, but I just like the security of always knowing its 100% ON.
So here is the proposal. I currently use a PILA GL4 with 2 X 18650's and a lumens factory 450 lumen d36 9eo lamp. It draws 7.2 volts and 2.4 amps so Im wondering if it would be possible to design something like a tail switch (clicky) that would regulate the light. I can deal with an increase in size, both width and length thats fine, but I want it regulated. Also, all you guys who do some real keen math, any idea what run time I would be looking at, LF states 45 min non regulated would I get 30min regulated? What if I dropped down to the HO 9 d36 380 lumen it too is 7.2v but only 2 amps. It supposed to run for 60 min, could I see 45 min out of it.
Anyone whom is really brilliant and might like to take on a project like this I have some money to throw at it. Possibly a good amount of money if your sure you can make it work and other people here will vouch for your can-do spirit. I know it sounds strange but it really bugs me that the light dimms.
Thanks Guys... and thanks for all this help getting me into a great hobby.
Stephen
I realize that when we speak about regulation, generally we are looking at LED's but today I come to the great minds of CPF with a new issue.
As a PO I have very different and dynamic needs from most people when it comes to flashlight use. As I once put it to me its not just a flashlight, its a child finder, a car stopper, a breaching device and some times a weapon. I have a special draw to things that just constantly work. I don't care how pretty they are or if they have strobe or anything I just want them bright. Here en-lies todays current moral dilemma.
Up until YOU PEOPLE, well you and google,
(and yes I really like you all but I feel my bank account is starting to suffer) started me on this hobby I thought that a 3D mag lite was simply the greatest thing on earth. I was happy content and ignorant. Then the new job came and a flashlight became more (see above). Then I learned more, and now... well I know about regulation. This is a problem, because now, well now; dimming really really bothers me... a lot. Like a lot a lot.Here is my dilemma. Run time is not an issue for me... if I can get 30 min out of a light, thats kick *** fine. The problem is that every-time I turn the light on I really really want it to be at peak brightness. Its no good if the thing is great at the start of the shift, but at the end its weak and yellowed. But more than that... Im never sure when to change the bats. As many of us have illustrated, the dimming effect of most lights is hardly noticeable as its used. Thus Im never sure where I am in the battery cycle so I am constantly changing batteries to try to avoid not having the brightest. Call me compulsive. Thus I would much rather have a light that is there 100% all the time and then is OUT. Its easy cause at this point, Wow its time to change the batteries. Better still would be a five min flash warning when bats are getting low... but now Im dreaming. I cary spare lights and spare bats on me all the time any way so it dying wouldn't be the worst, but I just like the security of always knowing its 100% ON.
So here is the proposal. I currently use a PILA GL4 with 2 X 18650's and a lumens factory 450 lumen d36 9eo lamp. It draws 7.2 volts and 2.4 amps so Im wondering if it would be possible to design something like a tail switch (clicky) that would regulate the light. I can deal with an increase in size, both width and length thats fine, but I want it regulated. Also, all you guys who do some real keen math, any idea what run time I would be looking at, LF states 45 min non regulated would I get 30min regulated? What if I dropped down to the HO 9 d36 380 lumen it too is 7.2v but only 2 amps. It supposed to run for 60 min, could I see 45 min out of it.
Anyone whom is really brilliant and might like to take on a project like this I have some money to throw at it. Possibly a good amount of money if your sure you can make it work and other people here will vouch for your can-do spirit. I know it sounds strange but it really bugs me that the light dimms.
Thanks Guys... and thanks for all this help getting me into a great hobby.
Stephen
