Mag 3D HID modification

[paulr]

Someone in Japan has put a 10 watt HID lamp into a Mag 3D. It's powered by 12 NiMH AA cells. Here's a link to a Babelfish translation from Japanese. It's sort of hard to make sense of the translation, but amazing. There's another URL somewhere that gives more details of the construction but I can't seem to find it again. If someone finds it, please post the link. Thanks to Bon for linking the following from his database (www.flashlight-fan.com).

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/urltrurl?lp=ja_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdatabase.flashlight-fan.com%2Fdatabase.cgi%3Fcmd%3Dj%26DataNum%3D26%26UserNum%3D%26Pass%3D%26AdminPass%3D

Edit: here's the more detailed link:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/urltrurl?lp=ja_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unityf.com%2Fcgi%2Fshops%2Fexp%2Fexp01.html

And some data about the lamp and ballast:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/urltrurl?lp=ja_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unityf.com%2Fcgi%2Fshops%2Findex.html

 

[K-T]

Looks like he used one of the Solarc HID kits. Very cool. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Plinko]

INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That light kicks butt!!! Too bad it's still got ugly MagLite reflector lines in the beam. I'm saving my pennies for one of those! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[kalengkong]

i try to understand reading the webpage.

anyway, anyone knows what does 12.500 means (at 3rd link above)?
12500 yen?

 

[OddOne]

VERY cool.

Wonder how well it'd fare in real-word use though, given how well HID bulbs (don't) handle being dropped. It'd sure suck to toast a HID bulb by dropping the light.

oO

 

[K-T]

Could anything be found on the runtime when paired with the 12 NiMh batteries? I couldn't find anything.
Did I understand it correct that when the light is shaken or light vibrations occur it turns off? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[chiharu]

your start -- furthermore . It writes in for the first time. I made Mag 3D HID. However, I am not the original author. The link of the original author's site is stuck here.
http://homepage3.nifty.com/ledsurefire/starthp/subpage12.html
The used thing is a Solarc HID kit so that Mr. K-T may say. Although it is a reflector, for the moment, he does not plan to correct. It is because there is no opportunity to carry out continuation lighting. It is said that continuation lighting time is about 90 minutes by 12 batteries of 1700mAh(s) according to the original author. Since I have translated using a translation site, whether a sentence is amusing does not put me in. I'm sorry.

 

[DHCrocks]

anyone else notice that 8AA holder that went into the 2D mag, some one needs to bring these here.

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/urltrurl?lp=ja_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unityf.com%2Fcgi%2Fshops%2Fexp%2Fexp01.html

 

[paulr]

It's just a generic 8AA holder, that got sanded down to fit in the Maglite. According to Wayne's thread on his 3AA->D adapter, it's sometimes possible to do that, but not always, even across different copies of the same model of flashlight. Wayne's 3AA adapter is a much easier fit.

 

[K-T]

Welcome, chiharu, to the CPF. It is good to see you here as you also seem to be very "flashaholic" - or as your site says a "Flashlight-Fan"! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks for commenting on the HID light. Could you explain why on one site it is displayed with a 8 cell battery holder and the other site mentiones 12 cells used? I assume the 8 cell version is using Alkali batteries while the 12 cell one uses NiMh ones. Thus they might have used different ballasts?
Please feel free to ask if something is not understandable while using the online translation.

DHCrocks, yes, we need these adapters!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[dilettante]

Re: 8AA Holder

Willie Hunt has designed an 2D to 8AA regulator/converter. I have the 3.6 volt version. When I asked Willie for some more information, he sent me this:

<font color="red">You need to talk to Skip Langan of Resource Enterprises (www.Lightingpro.org). He's making 1000's of them right now. If you only need a few I can get samples. We have them in various voltages 3.6, 4.5, 5.5, 6.0, 6.6, and we have good bulbs too.

Willie </font>

They're puls modulated and the voltages are probably too low for HID, but there is is FWIW /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[souyou]

Re: 8AA Holder

Accordeng to the websites above,
the 8 cell version is using Alkali batteries while the 12
cell one uses NiMh ones. They have the same ballast.
The reason the modder changed the battery configuration
was that he didn't like rapid voltage drop and high running
cost of Alkalis.
12.500 means that 12V ballast is 12,500 yen (no bulb included).
And it's not a 8AA holder. They are 2 modefied 4AA holders.
Positive and negative contacts were taken from battery.
See the pics from the link in chiharu's post.
But keep in mind that it's a personal website(not chiharu's)
and I don't know who he/she is.

 

[LEDagent]

Re: 8AA Holder

souyou,

GREAT MOD! I have been thinking about doing something with my spare ballast from Solarc...it is EXACTLY like the one you have in your Maglight MOD.

I have a few questions before i start modding.

1) Is the ballast DIRECTLY connected to the Maglight switch mechanism?

2) Was there a need for a resistor in this mod?

3) is the 12 AA battery setup ONLY to be used with NiMH batteries because of there lower (1.2V) voltage?

4) How long will the light last with 12 AA batteries?

THANK YOU!

 

[souyou]

Re: 8AA Holder

LEDagent,
No, it's not mine.
I just got infomations from the modder's website (linked above).

You many people may be confused. There are 2 mods, the original and chiharu's. All websites linked above except for BON's website are about the original. Of course, I'm not the modder.
Please be more careful.

 

[belyo]

Re: 8AA Holder

[ QUOTE ]
LEDagent said:

1) Is the ballast DIRECTLY connected to the Maglight switch mechanism?

2) Was there a need for a resistor in this mod?

3) is the 12 AA battery setup ONLY to be used with NiMH batteries because of there lower (1.2V) voltage?

4) How long will the light last with 12 AA batteries?


[/ QUOTE ]
Only what I know answer those questions.

1) The ballast is connected to a switch of Mag through copper wire directly.

2) A resistor is unnecessary, and ballast is connected to battery pack via a switch.

3) The ballast is made for 12V, therefore the voltage is insufficient in 8 NiMH. But, I think that it is difficult to make battery pack for 10 NiMH. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

4) Sorry, I do not have it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[chiharu]

K-T, Thank you for a welcome.
Although there are also some portions which are not known by the translated result, since it understands somehow, I think that there is especially no problem.

The answer to a question is as souyou having written.
Thank you, souyou

LEDagent?A
It replies to a question.

1) Ballast was connected to the direct switch mechanism.

2) Resistance is not used.

3) I am sorry, the meaning of a question cannot understand well.
If the number of batteries is not 12, are they useless?Is it the meaning to say?
The NiMH battery which I have is set to 1.33V at the time of the completion of charge. It is 12 and is 15.96V.
Although the overdrive should be carried out rightly, the light is switched on satisfactory.

4) Although it is run time, since I do not do continuation lighting yet, it cannot answer. I am sorry.
However, it is said that 90 minutes can be turned on stable according to the original author.
Although lighting is possible, it tries to want to become dark rapidly also after that.
However, while it had been in the state in which the voltage of a battery fell, when the light was switched on and the damage might be given to the burner, it had written to the original author's site.

 

[K-T]

Chiharu,

how hot does the light get after leaving it switched on for some time?

 

[LEDagent]

souyou,

I apologize for my confusion. I was under the impression that you were the creator of this light. Thank you for offering your help and your translation! It was VERY helpfull.

Belyo and Chiharu,
Welcome to the CPF board and THANK YOU for answering my questions to the best of your knowledge.

90 minutes of light sounds very good considering that this is HID technology! THe modification looks too simple that i have to try this myself. THe only thing i have to worry about is shaving down the insides so that the ballast will fit. I don't know anyone that ownes a metal-working shop so i'll have to hunt for some of my own tools. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[souyou]

LEDagent,
Never mind and you are welcome.
FYI, The HID unit basically requires protect circuit.
And low voltage input terribly damages the bulb.
I'm always afraid of what incomplete or wrong information will cause.
Especially when people try to use translation software which is, IMO,
not trustworthy.

You mean you will buy a lathe? Good luck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[xbrite]

I once built HID lights for bike use using Li-ion rechargeable batteries (10 pcs of 18650, 2 in srial, 5 pairs, 7.4V 9AH) with boost up DC-DC converter using Maxim 1771 IC to make 12V. It worked great with 5+ hours of run time. As Li-Ion battery had protection citcuits for under voltage, the light cut offs when the battery voltages drops preventing low input voltage damage to the HID lamps.

I bought development kits from Soalrarc which contained 5 lamps and 5 ballasts at U$500 per kit.

Cheers..

Cheers..