Mod a rayovac?

[bnz]

I have two of these rayovac headlamps:

And was reading at http://www.flashlightreviews.com/mods/adventureLite_headlamp_mod.htm that I could replace the Kr bulb with a Luxeon Star/O (45 lumens). I also read where someone else on the forum replaced their bulb with the GS led (best I can tell is 10 lumens?). And then I read on here where someone replaced a different rayovac headlamp with the SSC P4 (100+ lumens)
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=171630 .

Being a total noob at this what would be the best way to go? I know I can pick up both the Star/O and P4 rather cheaply and the illustration for doing the Star/O mod is fairly straightforward. Would the P4 just be a matter of wiring it or would other mods (like a heatsink plate) be necessary as well?

Thanks

 

[Lynx_Arc]

not being quite sure of the design I would say most likely the original bulb is direct drive and if you were going to use alkalines most 3AAA LED 1-3 watt headlamps don't have any more heatsinking than a star gives but using nimh the LED will be driven a lot harder and more heatsinking would be recommended.

 

[bnz]

Okay, here's a pic of my unit broken down:

It's the same Kr bulb as the old minimag light.

 

[Yucca Patrol]

How about trying one of the Nite-Ize drop in's? You might need to trim the reflector down a bit, but it would make for a quick and easy mod.

In fact, I have the exact same headlamp and it is on the bottom of my list so it might just get this mod today. . . . .

Edit: I just unscrewed the bezel and confirmed that the Nite-Ize drop in works quite well. Trimming of the will be necessary.Next time I find a cheap nite-ize drop in, I'll make this mod. . . .

 

[bnz]

Which Nite-Ize drop in did you use? I see a 1 watt and a 5 watt listed. Thanks.

 

[Yucca Patrol]

I have the 1 watt made for the AA mini-maglite. This setup does drive the LED on 3 batteries instead of two, which is the only concern I might have.

This does make a rather unexciting out-dated headlamp a lot more interesting.

 

[steveG]

Check out my thread on the same lamp. you can definitely upgrade it and doing so makes it a kick *** little light.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=203782

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[bnz]

Steve, thanks! That's just what I needed. Do you have any pics of your mod? What is your runtime and what batteries are you using? After reading your thread, I think I'm in need of better soldering equipment too.

 

[steveG]

No problem. There are pics in that thread. And yes a nice soldering iron helps but you can get by with a cheapo as long as its got a pointed iron. Good luck!

 

[bnz]

Thanks again Steve, I was able to see the pics on this computer whereas I couldn't on my other. So I take it you didn't put the reflector back in or did you? The P4 is what I ordered since I have two of these lights. I figured if I ruined one it wouldn't be that big of a deal. Now it looks like I can just mod both. :thumbsup:

 

[TMorita]

I've modded about five of those headlamps.

The reflector needs a LED with a very low die height to focus properly. The only one that works properly is the SSC P4.

I think I used a 22 ohm resistor to avoid overdriving the LED and to increase the runtime.

Toshi

 

[LightObsession]

I just modded mine with the Nite-Ize 3 white LED drop in for 2AA Mini Mags http://www.niteize.com/productdetail.php?category_id=28&product_id=110 and it seems to work much better than the original bulb - definately brighter and better beam. It's much brighter, bigger spot and nicer white than the single white LED in this light. I wasn't able to use the reflector that came with the drop in, but it doesn't seem to need it. It's still much better than the original incan bulb.

I had the drop in in a 2AA light that I never use, so I thought I'd try it in this light that I keep in my car. I'm glad I did.

 

[bnz]

TMorita, where did you place the 22 ohm resistor? (I'm a total noob at this stuff.) And what kind of runtimes do you now get?

LightObsession, does WalMart still sell those drop ins?