Need shopping list 4 LED 2D or 3D m*g regulated

[VegasF6]

Can someone please point me to a thread or some advice on building this? It seems I have searched for hours. I am wanting to take either a 2D or 3D and use 12,000 MaH D cell NiMh's. I want to buy a heatsink of course and some mini reflectors and such. I have found plenty of threads on how to build a quad cree or quad ssc P4, so the actual mechanics aren't such a mystery, it is just my choices of battery's. Will they be in series? I looked at the specs for a shark board and near as I can tell I can't get the required 18.5 volts or so from the 4.6-4.8 volts or so I will be feeding in and stay regulated.

Basicly, I am after a way to make something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3D-Maglite-1-00...yZ106987QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://elektrolumens.com/DropIn/MT-5.html

Or better still, This:
http://elektrolumens.com/DropIn/MT-IV.html

Now of course I don't expect elektrolumens to give away his trade secrets, but I just want to know how to power this thing. I am sure it is common knowledge to some.


My other option is I would be willing to set up a 2C or 3C with 18650's, that would probably make it easier, but I really prefer to stick with NiMh in either a D or C cell. (maybe even 3C in a 2D?)

 

[Jenova]

Contact a member called DOWNLOAD
He can supply everything you need + instructions

He helped me out alot

 

[Drewfus2101]

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2060148#post2060148

Yup, Download. From him you can get: heatsink, emitters, reflector, even plugs.

But here is where I would do it differently. As far as driver, this is what I would do.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3256

Use those, one driver per emitter. If your using 4 batteries, even with NiMHs, you'll have enough voltage. Just wire them all in series where the drivers connect to the batteries. This is beneficial because if one emitter or driver goes out, the other ones will still work. Plus those drivers are cheaper than the sharks and others.

Thats it. And that is EXACTLY how I'm going to build it when I get around to it. Price for a 5 emitter with those parts is right at $125 (not counting Mag).

 

[download]

If price is not matter,
1. Shark & MaxFlex (http://www.taskled.com) are the best step-up driver in the market (drive 5x LED), 4x LED can use Fatman, IMHO.
They are adjustable, run-time could be adjust from 1-100 hrs.
2. If Max. brightness is used only, maybe 1 driver per LED would be cheaper.

Remark:
1. Step-Up driver =
(Input voltage ~6-10V) < (4/5x LEDs in serial voltage. ~ 14-17.5V)

2. 1 driver per LED =
(Input voltage ~6V) > parallel wiring
(1x driver to 1x LED )
(1x driver to 1x LED )
(1x driver to 1x LED )
(1x driver to 1x LED )
(1x driver to 1x LED )

:grouphug:

 

[VegasF6]

Well those are all wonderfull suggestions. Up till now the only drivers I was aware of is the one's on sandwich shoppe, and of course the DX one's. It is good to have options

But will any of them allow me to do it with 3 - D cells? 3.6 volts? When I read the specs for the drivers I tend to get a little confuzzled.

If not, I will just go another way.

 

[Greg G]

For 4 emitters I wouldn't use 3 D's. That's only going to be 4.2 volts fresh off the charger. 4 Seouls are going to require at least 14 volts to run if you drive them at 1 amp. Better to put a 9AA battery pack in it from Five Mega.

I'm running 3 R2's in a 3D M@g with 3 Accupowers and a Shark, with no problems. 4 emitters would tax a boost driver too much imo. According to Wayne at the Sandwich Shoppe the battery pack should not drop below 1/3 of the total Vf of all the emitters when using a Shark.

 

[VegasF6]

Well, in a PM with Download, he explained to me exactly what it is I need to do, and what my confusion was. I had assumed the Elektrolumens mod was wired in series and I couldn't find a driver to put out the voltage I wanted with only 3x1.2 volts. My mistake. I am posting his reply to me here as I feel others will also benefit from the information.

Thank a LOT, Download.

elektrolumens is direct drive all parallel LED to Battery. Actually, if you only use your D size Ni-HM, direct drive them to 5x Cree is OK too. Especially, Q5 voltage in is little bit higher like 3.7V at 1A. If Ni-HM is under heavy load, it will fall to 1.2V. 1.2Vx3 still OK for Q5.

Those step-up driver have their Max. handling limitation like 3A from battery side.
That mean
3x Ni-HM : 3.6V x 3A = 10.8W from battery side
10.8W / 3.5V x5(LED) x 0.9 efficient = 0.55A per LED
6x Ni-HM : 7.2V x 3A = 21.6W
21.6W / 3.5V x5(LED) x 0.9 efficient = 1.1A per LED

You can see, 1.1A to LED is what we dream for. it will be very very bright. Like 50W car headlight.
0.55A per LED is still bright, but you will find it is not enough very soon, because you know it is only half power.

Or like my favor Mag2C setting, 2x 18650 li-ion to 5x Cree with MaxFlex at 1A. Almost same power of 6AA Ni-HM. But lighter in weight & slimmer in size.

 

[Greg G]

Thanks for sharing that e-mail from Download. Food for thought.

 

[VegasF6]

Greg, what are accupowers?

 

[Greg G]

They are low self discharge NiMH D's and are sold at Thomas Distributing.

http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/...html?SP_id=&osCsid=f3bat1kdneoa6q8fes34rmhih4

 

[CampingLED]

I was also thinking of a 3D mod with 4 x Cree Q5's and 4 x reflectors (already have these and the heatsink). I was however thinking of using 4 x 1050mA drivers which should be fine for the 3 x D cells.

Comments from the experts will be appreciated. Tks.

 

[download]

The Diodes in that AMC7135 baord will drop 0.7V from output, if you want to drive harder, take out the diodes, just short it, it will lost the Reverse input polarity protection function. But it will run much brighter. :thumbsup: