NEW to incans. Looking to build my first

[supawabb]

Here is what I can tell you...

I would like to run a single AW 18650.

Not concerned about run time as I can have 3 spares charged and ready to go.

ALOT of output. I am a corrections officer and work alot of night shifts requiring to do counts and cell inspections.

Currently using a lego's SF (C2 head - G2 body - Z48 tailcap with an HA leef grip), light comes from a Malkoff M60W MC-E providing me with a TONNE of spill, but lacking throw. The spill is great, I am just wanting MORE output.

Suggestions? Easily attainable?

 

[curtispdx]

Have you considered running two IMR 16340s rather than a single 18650? Seems to me that if you're looking for a high-output incan in that form-factor it would be a better option.

http://www.lumensfactory.com/cart_detail.php?id=80

My two cents.

BTW: I just re-read your post; I'm not sure you're going to be able to drastically improve output compared to what you already have. That Malkoff you have is pretty darn good already. I suspect that if you want more you're going to have to consider going to a bigger host. Smarter people than me (okay, everyone...) will probably have a better suggestion for you.

 

[mrartillery]

Im with curtis, if you're restricting yourself to that size, then I'd either go with the IMR-9 or the G4 D26 SUNLIGHT with a WA1111, both of which would require 2 IMR 16340's and have a short runtime, 7-9 minutes. I have the IMR-9 setup in a Solarforce now, its a pretty good little lamp, although im getting out of the smaller "pocket" lights though and actually thought about selling the lamp, still undecided. :thinking:

 

[mdocod]

Unfortunately, there isn't really a good way to make an incan that runs on a single 18650 that will out-perform an LED in a similar size class: Especially when comparing to the modern "heavy-hitting" quad-die and SST type stuff.

The 400+ torch lumen territory in an incan requires ~25W of power (ballpark) to achieve (as apposed to the mere ~8W required to do this with a warm MCE). It would also require reasonable bulb efficiency that can only be achieved with lamp in the 6V and higher territory. (down around 4V and less, filament design becomes counter-productive for efficiency) Getting 25W out of a single 18650 is possible, but not practical. It would have to be an IMR18650 or something capable of the ultra-high currents involved with doing that, but then we come back to the problem of no bulb to pull it off.

To see a significant step up in brightness from your MalkOff, you are going to need to plan on at bare minimum doubling, ideally tripling or better your output. That means ~1200-2400 torch lumens should be your goal to see a good leap in useful performance. Achieving those levels is going to require a larger host and more batteries.

Eric

 

[Chrontius]

The ElektroLumens EDC-MCE might squeeze another 20% more oomph out of the 18650 by giving up regulation for more current and heat-sinking.

Only way up now is multi-emitter mags, I think.

Or you could build a ROP - it'll handily out-throw your Malkoff module, for under $100.

 

[andyw513]

When dealing with non-led lights, the options are endless and vast. There are countless hosts, countless bulbs and battery combinations that you just have to experiment with over some time to kinda get the hang of things. Sorry I can't be of help to the 18650 situation, but to familiarize yourself with Incandescent modding, the best way I feel would to go to a hardware/auto parts store and just browse around. A great first incandescent build would be to try to find the following parts:

-18 gauge wiring (~$5)
-50-watt bipin fog lamp assembly (with reflector) (~$4)
-Two pronged flip/rocker switch (~$3)
-Plastic Eveready Incandescent with slide switch, 2D size (~$2)
Total Cost: ~$14.00 USD

1. Pop the hardware out, including all the metal, wire the leads to and from the bulb to switch, leaving two leads for + and - battery connections.

2. Cut the switch hole to fit your new switch, pop in four 123's or your choice to get 12VDC, and you've got a $2 flashlight with a 50-watt fog lamp in it.

Simple enough, you're driving the required 12VDC current to power a high-output fog light, and you did it (hopefully) in less than an hour.

Given this is a very crude device, it opens the door to many more opportunities, just as it did for me when I first started building. I'm definitely no Malkoff, that's for sure, but I've came a long way just by cutting my teeth and pranking around with stuff like the Eveready build. Good luck with the build, though. My info was just a reference, also. Hope it helped some.

 

[mdocod]

Hello andyw513,

Under the load of that lamp, 4 CR123s would sag to about 8V or less. The output would be dismal relative to power consumption and the cells would get so hot that they would be very unsafe. Runtime would be just a few minutes.

Sorry, but I would suggest that if you are running that configuration, that you stop before you experience a lithium cell explosion.

Eric

 

[mitch79]

I love my 4C mag85 with Fivemega's 2" deep VLOP reflector. It has both the output and throw you desire with over an hours runtime. It's not small however.

Mines a 4C Maglite,
3x IMR26650's
KIU socket
WA 1185 bulb
FM 2" deep VLOP reflector

Stunning bright white light with throw that puts my LED's to shame.

You could build the same light with a shorter 3C mag and 3x AW IMR26500's.
Want even more? Drop in a FM1909 bulb for near 2000 Lumens.:devil:

 

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

Why take IMR for a Mag85?

The easiest way is to use a Mag 3D, 3x18650, glass lens (KD), alu reflector (KD) and bi-pin to PR

Stock Mag switch can handle Mag85 heat.

 

[andyw513]

Hello andyw513,

Under the load of that lamp, 4 CR123s would sag to about 8V or less. The output would be dismal relative to power consumption and the cells would get so hot that they would be very unsafe. Runtime would be just a few minutes.

Sorry, but I would suggest that if you are running that configuration, that you stop before you experience a lithium cell explosion.

Eric

Thanks for the info, mdocod! I got bored one evening and tested that lamp out. Good thing I didn't leave it on for a while, lol.