My home made flashlight.

[Flashanator]

Turbo charging a 5$ kmart flashlight.

Hi all,

I've been working on my home made flashlight that gives out a lot of spread. I was testing out a 100watt halogen car globe in a small everyready reflector (about 6cm in diameter) which to my surprise put out unbelievable spread & lite my 3/4 acre back yard up like day time. Only problem the globe gets too hot & within 20-30 secs it literally melts the plastic reflector. I need a small reflector for compact reasons that can withstand the 100watt globe, does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Thanks

 

[65535]

WHats the diameter of the bulb and what size reflector were you using before because mcGizmo has a few small metal reflectors and there are mag reflectors in metal, all depends on what your going for.

 

[Flashanator]

Diameter of bulb is almost 2cm & about 3.5cm long. I was using a reflector off a 1mill CP spoty, but then I tried the eveready reflector beacsue its far smaller & seems to pump out just as much if not more light.

 

[yellow]

You did not mention Your power source :s:

I would say You are a person to check treads named "hotwire" or "Mag modding"

 

[Flashanator]

Oh Sorry, A 12Volt 7amp rechargeable battery.

 

[65535]

100 watts from a 7Ah sla battery is not good for the battery. a metal mag reflector should do well.

 

[Flashanator]

I havent had a chance to use the 100watt bulb on the battery for more then 30secs. What battery would you suggest?

 

[benighted]

You could probably make a 8 or 9 (or 10?) cell NiMH pack out of C or D cells.
If you discharge a your SLA more than 50% it will damage it unless it is a deep cycle

 

[matrixshaman]

watts=amps times volts to your 100 watt bulb is trying to suck about 8.3 Amps out of a 7 Amp hour battery. Very short bursts might work but it's still probably hard on the battery. Sounds like something I would try though

 

[mdocod]

it's an SLA! these things are cheap and can take abuse better than any other battery chemistry(NICD might be it's only competitor in the ability to deliver huge current at a low price)!... 8 amps is no problem for a 7AH SLA.... it won't have 7AH capacity at that drain rate.. A standard 15MCP thor uses that same size SLA and draws over 10 amps on high beam... nearly 20 amps with both high and low on... and my thor with the added light fixtures on the outside comes close to 30 amp discharge off that same battery... it only lasts a few minutes like this... but it always charges back up and works perfectly over and over again.

if you are looking for a budget way to get a reflector... here's an easy way to get a 12V 75W bulb, a reflector, and a lens.. all for just $1.85+shipping...
http://www.1000bulbs.com/products.php?cat=Front-Glass,-12-Volt-75MR16,-Halogen-Light-Bulbs
you can even choose spot or medium flood.

 

[Flashanator]

I hooked the 100watt up with a bigger metal reflector & run it just to see how the battery goes. After 10mins it started going dull.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BATTERY-12V-...QQihZ019QQcategoryZ102807QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[mdocod]

sounds about right... maybe that battery has seen better days... they usually will run a 100W bulb for about 25 minutes when new...

 

[Flashanator]

Im gonna try somthing more powerful, I was thinking anywere up to 18amps for a battery.