Lamp module modders...help?

[ikendu]

I know there are some talented modders out there in this forum!

I have a little project in mind but have no skills for this sort of thing. I have two incandescent lights I REALLY like...the UK 4AA AS2 and the PT Rage!

Although, both use pre-built lamp modules

. For each or either light, I'd like to accomplish two things; (1) create a reflector with the tightest possible beam (with a 6" hot spot at 125') and (2) be able to substitute a lamp optimized for NiMH.

Anyone with experience with this...or advice on how to proceed?

Thanks very much!

 

[EMPOWERTORCH]

Have you got any pics of the torches so that we can make some suggestions?
There are 5 and 10mm LED's with very narrow beam angles and consequently very high mcd ratings now available from the likes of Agilent. These should give you a very focussed pencil beam like a tightly focussed filament torch beam! In a 4AA torch you will be able to operate all colours of LED including blue, cyan, white and UV, but the appropriate dropping resistor is required to keep the LED from being overloaded at 6V. You can operate the blue, cyan and white on 3AA's and place a dummy short in place of the missing cell. Alternatively, you could replace the 4th cell with the appropriate resistor for the LED's you want to drive, the gap being filled with a piece of wooden or plastic 10mm dowel rod with a drawing pin on each end the same length as an AA.
The output voltage for NiMH cells is less than that of standard primary cells (1.2V typically).
You could have two dowel rods containing the resistors for 3* 1.2V and 3 * 1.5V.
3 * 1.2 = 3.6V. For blue and white LED's you could get away with Direct drive (ie a shorted dowel rod).
For 3* 1.5V the voltage is 4.5V. I have actually happily run blue and green LED's direct drive off 3 primary cells, but I've made sure that the LED cathodes are effectively connected to a large mass of metal (usually the switch ring of the torch) for heatsinking purposes.
Much of what I'm saying here is speculating because I do not know the internal construction of either torch you have mentioned.
Please supply pictures or a web link and torchaholics everywhere will offer thier advice.

Matt.