Old project lantern platform

[lemlux]

I just won this approx 50 year old light on EBAY for $6.50

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2129035172&r=0&t=0&showTutorial=0&ed=1029297514&indexURL=0&rd=1

I can't wait to see what sort of bulb or lamp assembly socket I can put into what appears to be a chromed steel head. The case looks like it's designed for the big 6V lantern batteries with terminal wiring coming up at each handle point. Lantern batteries are 125mm high by 136 mm long by 73 mm wide. This red box can probably accomodate a number of 2000 mAh 4/5 A 7.2 V packs (available at surplus stores at $2.00 @)or a good number of rechargeable D cells 4 packs and 2 packs wired however.

I have fond childhood memories of similar lanterns and have wanted to stuff them with modern goodies. This looks so much more friendly and comfortable than the current crop of pistol grip SLA lights.

 

[jeff1500]

I have an old light too, that I want to convert.

The contrast of old/new is interesting.

Might even be art.

 

[lemlux]

jeff1500:

I'm hoping that the light has it's own lens and doesn't use a 6V sealed beam as its lens. I also have a Dacor 800 dive light that came with a sealed beam and a 6V SLA battery. It hasn't been converted yet primarily because I keep hoping to come up with a better replacement lens idea.

 

[lemlux]

Well, I received the light, and it's smaller than I expected.

It's designed for the smaller 6V lantern battery, not the larger one. This challenges me to see how many rechargeable batteries I can stick into a garrity $2.47 6V battery holder designed for 4@ D cells with a wasted space drawer underneath the D cells.

Until then, I'll see how long the sealed beam lasts at 7.2V (3 rechargeable D cells and a 3AA rechargeable 3.6 V pack in place of the fourth cell.)

The bulb is, indeed, a sealed beam. Thus, I now have two project lights that need a lens the size of a 6-V sealed beam. Any idea where to find such a lens?

 

[lemlux]

I've figured out a relatively easy battery pack mod that fits this light almost too snugly.

1. Buy a Garrity 6V lantern battery adapter for $2.47.

2. Slide out the storage box on the bottom.

3. Cover one of the the negative terminals at the bottom of the adapter with electrical tape.

4. Cut up the sides of a 2D battery holder so that bottom sides of the Garrity holder which normally hold the storage box can grip the sides of 2D batteries that are in the 2D holder.

5. Solder the positive lead from the 2D holder to a negative terminal spring on the bottom side of the 4D garrity holder.

6. Solder the negative lead from the 2D holder to a brass washer that is bonded to the top of the electrical tape applied in step 3.

7. Cut off the rear crossbar of the lantern battery box's swiveling 6V battery holder. (The bar will interfere with the additional 2 batteries.)

8. If you have an R/C charger, you may solder leads and an RC charger connector to the spring terminals on the top of the Garrity adapter.

9. Put 6@ rechargeable D cells into the battery pack. (You can buy high capacity 9.0 Ah NiCadss for big $ or a bunch of 5.0 Ah NiMHs from Snakebite for $2.50 @ -- I just bought 22 of them --) You now have a high capacity 7.2 V power supply in the modded battery chamber.

10. Mount the battery pack in the lantern's holder. It will fit snugly.

11. The next step will be to mount a Carley reflector with a 6V 3.35 A W/A 01111 bulb and a ceramic W/A "S" socket in the head after removing the 6V GE sealed beam lamp. You have room to mount the 6V to 7.2V bulb of your choice in a reflector of your choice. I'm still trying to find a glass lens with an OD the size of the sealed beam.

Alternatively, overdrive the 6.0 V sealed beam at 7.2 Vfor a while until it burns out if you're satisfied with its tight focus and modest brightness.

 

[jbechto]

Hi Lemlux,

These guys might have just what you want. They are local here in the San Diego area and offer (in their stores, not on the website) a 6 V Gel Cell direct replacement for the 6V Lantern batteries. Same size, shape and springs on top!

I think they get around $10 for them (new) if I remember correctly.

Anyway, they do orders via email, telephone, or whatever.

http://www.industrialliquidators.com/

John

.......OOps, wrong battery, these are the more square ones that you see more of nowadays....

 

[lemlux]

John:

Back in March I also saw a spring topped 6V gel cell at Industrial Liquidators for $11. Twenty or 30 years ago Sears private labeled them and included a a female charging port on top of the battery.

As mentioned in my email, I think I can get more brightness by overdriving driving a 150 hour 6.0 V or 6.3 V lamp with a 7.2 V NiCad or NiMH pack.

I've posted that I've been able to buy lots of 7.2V 2450/2700 mAh Sanyo A NiMH packs from Industrial Liquidators for prices between $2.00 and $5.00 per pack. I've prowled their San Diego Store, San Diego main warehouse, and the store just off of Route 78. Fun place to browse and shop!