Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L /// now with a Group Buy

[Flipside]

Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

In speaking with Welch Allyn today, I learned they're brining out a new 'Next Generation' Solarc that'll run in regulation from 9-16V and crank out up to 14W OR 1000+L. I wonder how long it'll be till we find this in some flashlights :naughty: ?

 

[BVH]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc

It would be great if they would at least bring the color temp down to 5000. A guestimate of 700 bulb Lumens @ 14 Watts. That would be a nice package

 

[Flipside]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc

It would be great if they would at least bring the color temp down to 5000. A guestimate of 700 bulb Lumens @ 14 Watts. That would be a nice package

WA is claiming '1000+' lumens on their promo sheets - NOW ADDED to the OP.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

The $400 price caught my attention.

Be good to get Mac's read on this item.

 

[Flipside]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

The $400 is for the developer's kit... The Ballast (not yet listed on their site) will go for $65, and the bulbs run about $90...

 

[PhantomPhoton]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

Very interesting. ~70lumens per watt is a bit nicer than the old solarcs at ~50.
I'm also wishing for a lower color temp, but hey if it fits into a M@g I think I can live with it.

 

[BVH]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

Same ol 6900K temp when driven with 14 Watts. Darn! WOW! 13,700K when driven with 9 Watts. Of what use would that be? I wonder what their market is for these?

 

[SafetyBob]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

Could we use the bulb in a FM reflector (OK, it doesn't matter who at this time)? Just do you think it will work or should one really try and make their reflectors work since that one is really, really narrow......hopefully offering incredible throw.

Is it as easy as buy a bulb and a ballast and start assembling? Aluminum reflector also.....

I would really like to hear what you guys who have examined this before think about fitting this into a m@g, or should we be thinking about breaking out the metal lathe and start turning....

Bob E.

 

[vcw]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

In speaking with Welch Allyn today, I learned they're brining out a new 'Next Generation' Solarc that'll run in regulation from 9-16V and crank out up to 14W OR 1000+L. I wonder how long it'll be till we find this in some flashlights :naughty: ?

How bout this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/G-P-35W-HID-350...6518854QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

[SafetyBob]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

That e-bay setup looks very interesting. Probably the over runs that were available after the OEM made an order a while back.

If it actually puts out 35 watts of power, then that would be a winner. I suspect it doesn't, but for 108 bucks right now, it would certainly be a player. Wouldn't mind trying that setup mainly because it looks rather easy to craft into a M@g.

Bob E.

 

[Tessaiga]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

That e-bay setup looks very interesting. Probably the over runs that were available after the OEM made an order a while back.

If it actually puts out 35 watts of power, then that would be a winner. I suspect it doesn't, but for 108 bucks right now, it would certainly be a player. Wouldn't mind trying that setup mainly because it looks rather easy to craft into a M@g.

Bob E.

mmm.... anyone wants to try put one in a Mag and slap on some power with a FM 3 X 17670 batt?? Could be a potential runaway winner...

Anyone knows the diameter of that setup and if it will even fit into a Mag in the first place... :laughing:

 

[Patriot]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

It's a G&P guys which is scary in itself. Also, it's far too large for any mag body.


With regards to the Solarc, that's great news for the custom world. I'm sure it won't be long before Mac has his hands on some of them. Downside of course is the color temperature. I don't understand why it's so difficult to get good 4300K bulbs but there must be some obstacle to it. On the other hand, maybe we're the only part of the world who care or know the difference. :thinking:

 

[BVH]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

Even a 5000K bulb would be fantastic.

 

[Patriot]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

Even a 5000K bulb would be fantastic.

Good point! I'd be doing back flips for even that. I'd sure like to understand more about why HID bulb manufacturers struggle with this. I'd like to understand if it's a technical challenge, cost issue, or the industry preferred color.

 

[Illum]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

I wonder how long it'll be till we find this in some flashlights :naughty: ?

got a solution for a battery pack that yields 90V and a couple amps to work with?

 

[rdh226]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

got a solution for a battery pack that yields 90V and a couple amps to work with?

90V is the ballast-output voltage to sustain the arc. It works with 9.5-15V input.

They (Solarc) measures 5A peak inrush for 1ms (one thousandth of a second),
2(ish)A nominal.

No problem, that's "gentle" in this forum, compared to the various overdriven incans.

-RDH

 

[SafetyBob]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

Flipside, please keep us informed when the ballast and the bulb are available for us to purchase. And like I indicated further up, can the plain old bulb work in a regular aluminum reflector like FM's or Litho's? Or do we need to get one of theirs?

This could be a very, very good find for all of us looking for a nice easy HID solution to be placed in a M@g flashlight.

Bob E.

 

[Patriot]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

Flipside, please keep us informed when the ballast and the bulb are available for us to purchase. And like I indicated further up, can the plain old bulb work in a regular aluminum reflector like FM's or Litho's? Or do we need to get one of theirs?

This could be a very, very good find for all of us looking for a nice easy HID solution to be placed in a M@g flashlight.

Bob E.

The Solarc bulb will work with FM or Lithos reflectors. The only issue has to do with the size of the bulb hole. If the reflector hole is small, it requires the secondary glass envelope to be removed (broken away) from the bulb base. In any case, it makes for a better beam shape imo.

 

[RutanD]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

As a new reader to this thread, you'll have to educate me. Why such a strong desire to keep the color temperature in the 4300K-5000K range? What's the benefit? (I understand 13,000K would be way too blue.) Thanks.

 

[Flipside]

Re: Next Generation 14W Solarc @ 1000+L

SafetyBob - will do.

The OD of the ballast is 1.385 +/- 0.015 which is slightly (0.010) more than the 'original', so it should fit in a D size Mag. Bulbs with (M10N003) and without (M10N004) envelope are available, and fit a standard Mag reflector.

I've kicked around the idea of a group buy, but would need 100 units of ballast and 100 lamps to hit the first break. These would not be a drop in proposition. One would need to modify the ID of the host to retain the ballast, wire it as needed and configure the power source.

One aspect of this lamp that has not been available previously is the possibility of a two level light. There are 3 wires on the ballast. One is '-', one is for '+ high' and the last is for '+ low'. I don't know of a switch that is available that could do it all-in-one package and still fit in a Mag, but a toggle could be added to select which power level you want to operate in.