Key Chain Micro Flashlight Mod! SCHWEET!

[jayrob]

I wanted to show my new Key Chain Flashlight mod!

Using the 'Task Force' key chain light from Lowe's, and the emitter from the 'Pocket Mini Host' (see link below)

* Key Chain light: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=225284-50584-FT-MINI&lpage=none
* Pocket Mini Host: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5963
* Or you can buy an emitter by itself, such as this: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2394
* 10280 batteries: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=187951
* This charger works well for these batteries: http://www.powerstream.com/licoin-charger.htm

Note:
For some reason with this Key Chain mod, the emitter is limited. I believe it is because of the little button circuit. Normally, these emitters draw over 1 amp, even when I test it in the 602D light with the 10280, but in the little Key Chain mod, the emitter draws about 120mA's. Which is good! This way I can get a good run time and no heat. Still very bright!

(besides, a 1 amp current draw would not be good for the 200mAh 10280)

I made a much brighter one of these here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=222029


This is a nice mod for a really bright key chain light with about a 2 hr. run time. Here are the pictures...

Save your emitter from the Pocket Mini Kit! :thumbsup:


Notes:
* The emitter was running direct from the battery on the WF-602D light, so I just took it out of that light, and made it fit the key chain light!

* No reflector, just the shape of the key chain head, so it is a very wide throw, but that's just fine for this size of a light!
* The side button switch is very nice! It has a nice hard 'snap' to it. The button circuit allows it to be a constant on switch. (wiring and battery position is 'case positive')
* 120mA's battery current draw should give about 2 hrs. or so between charges! Very bright for the size!

Jay




Here's an even brighter Key Chain Flashlight mod - 295mA's!
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=222029


Check out my Key Chain Laser Build - Must See!

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2768679#post2768679

My Pocket Mini Laser build kit!- Must see!
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2791675#post2791675

 

[jayrob]

I have a question for anybody who might be able to help me with this idea...

There is a tiny smd resistor on the button switch circuit which must be only allowing a certain amount of current to pass. It says 103 on it. I believe this means 10K ohm. (correct me if I am wrong) Here is my thinking:

If I get 100mA's current draw with the 10K ohm resistor, shouldn't it double my current to the diode if I replace it with a 5k ohm resistor?

I think that the little light is very bright as it is, but 200mA's would probably be much brighter to the emitter (which can take 1 amp), 200mA's would not be too bad for the 10280 battery...
Thanks in advance!
Jay

 

[clg0159]

Assuming it is limiting the current to the LED then yes, or just paralleling another 10kohm resistor would do the same thing.

 

[Fallingwater]

160mA's would not be too bad for the 10280 battery

Provided the capacity is in fact 200 mAh, that LiIon cell can provide up to 400mA before it starts seriously sweating.

 

[Flashlike]

jayrob--

This looks like a nice mod for a keychain light.

Thanks for posting the links for the components and for your assembly details with photos.
It looks like AW is out of stock on those 10280 batteries now. Hopefully he will get more in soon.

Rather than buy one of the WF-602D flashlights and "sacrifice" it just for the LED, why not just purchase a CREE XR-E R2 LED by itself:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15943

I didn't mean that as a smarty pants comment, but I was just wondering if there was an advantage to using the LED that comes in the WF-602D flashlight rather than just purchasing an LED which is less expensive.

Time for me to start rounding up the components for this mod. I'm not sure I have the ability to complete it, but I'm going to give it a whirl!

Please let us know if you change that resistance in that switch board and what the outcome is, too!

 

[jayrob]

Good point about the emitter...

I automatically thought of the host because my Pocket Mini Laser Kit is so popular on LPF. So it is a great use of the emitter that is not used for the laser mod. Here is the Pocket Mini Kit thread on CPF:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2791675#post2791675

Update: I just finished a much brighter version of this Key Chain Flashlight mod! Running at 295mA's!

Check it out:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=222029
Jay