Petzl headlamp mod

[Stefan]

I'm looking to modify my petzl arctic (bezel on elastic headstrap, 3 foot cable to battery). It originally has a screw bulb, and wondering what forms of LEDs would work on this light. There looks to be a lot of plastic on this thing, so would heat be a problem from the newer LEDs?

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

You can get LED replacement bulbs for Petzl E10 base like that one and the Zoom. I have the Zoom and 3 LED bulb, which is more of a flod than a spot. For spot, a single LED version is available from:

http://www.ledcorp.com/

now, these are white Nichias, not Luxeons.

Ever hear of a dimpled or faceted reflector for Petzl headlamps???

Luxeons may be a problem, heat wise. Although, if you are using that exclusively in COLD conditions, it might work on 2 Cells, unless you go to a 5 watt LS. Interesting idea you have, though I would be wary of using a Luxeon w/o heatsinking.

Oh, Lithium AA cells are designed for excellent performance in cold conditions, and last longer than alkalines.

 

[Alan]

Originally posted by wheelsCDN:
I'm looking to modify my petzl arctic (bezel on elastic headstrap, 3 foot cable to battery). It originally has a screw bulb, and wondering what forms of LEDs would work on this light. There looks to be a lot of plastic on this thing, so would heat be a problem from the newer LEDs?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">You could check IMO and they have 3 LEDs built on E10 base that fit Petzl light. Some of them are even regulated.

Alan

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

The problem with those multi LED bulbs is that they are not oriented, and without a dimpled/faceted reflector, you get a flood with 2 itty bitty spots.

I have one of those bulbs. Might be ok for caving, but not quite the thing in mounaineering. All they do is slap 3 LEDs in an E10 base, where thay point to, you find out after you turn that petzl on.

Petzl's reflectors don't allow correct focusing with those. (personal experience)

 

[Stefan]

Any opinions on the "16 LED retrofit bulb" designed for the maglite?

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

It's gotta be better than the Pro Series bulb I have. Even a single nichia in PR flange base is probably better. I had 2 CC Extremes (3C, 1LED, focusable), and I think I had a couple of bad LEDs. Very nice.

I am going to get a couple of 2 cell 1 LED PR flange bulbs from Versalux to try out in several lights I have. I'm also going to get a singel LED 3 cell E10 base from LEDCorp to try in my Petzl Zoom and hope it focuses better than the 3 LED from C. Crane (from Tek Tite).

 

[Stefan]

Charles, is it possible to post images of beam patterns between the Pro Series bulb and the 3 LED you got from C.Crane? Not really looking for the brightest thing, I just want to put this in the Arctic (similiar to Zoom) for a friend that wants a decent night light. He likes my Tikka, but the AAAs have reached points where the light flickers. I wonder how long these 4.5 volt flat batteries will burn for.