Please recommend a cheap luxeon star 2-3 x AA headlamp ready for upgrade with a SSC.

[wintermute]

I've got this SSC U-bin emitter mounted to a star and I want to put it into a headlamp. Problem is, I didn't make the Arctic Alumina epoxy layer thick enough to isolate the positive slug, so hopefully the headlamp will have an anodized heatsink to attach the star to - or run at a low enough current to not need further heatsinking. 2-3 x AA batteries is a must...and regulation is a plus - no 3xAAA direct drive lights. Any recommendations would be greatly, greatly appreciated. :twothumbs

 

[nanotech17]

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.997

 

[selfbuilt]

Unless I'm reading your post wrong (it's late here, so anything's possible ), there shouldn't be a problem with the star. Every commercial one I've seen has a neutral base, so you don't even need to bother with epoxy under the SSC emitter.

As for the headlamp, sorry - I only have 3AA models (although the popular PT EOS is fully regulated on 3AAA).

 

[wintermute]

Unless I'm reading your post wrong (it's late here, so anything's possible ), there shouldn't be a problem with the star. Every commercial one I've seen has a neutral base, so you don't even need to bother with epoxy under the SSC emitter.

As for the headlamp, sorry - I only have 3AA models (although the popular PT EOS is fully regulated on 3AAA).

I attached the SSC emitter to an old Luxeon star - now the bottom of the star is positive. Stock SSC stars are electrically isolated - but not this one...pain in the butt. Most flashlights have negative bases where the stars attach - not sure about headlamps...not familiar with any.

I'm in for a 3AA one if you can recommend it...I saw this one on Kai as well:
https://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=997

But more recommendations would be excellent.

 

[selfbuilt]

I attached the SSC emitter to an old Luxeon star - now the bottom of the star is positive. ... I'm in for a 3AA one if you can recommend it...I saw this one on Kai as well:
https://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=997

Ah, now I see your problem.

That headlamp is an decent choice, since it has a metal heatsink (not sure if its neutral or charged). Note that pretty much all the other DX/Kai ones have the star/disc leads soldered directly to the PCB ... so no heatsink, but no polarity issues either.

I've had a couple of these, and they work well for mods. But two of the most popular good quality headlamps that people like to mod here are the PT EOS and Petzl Tikka XP (have the Petzl running an SSC, and it's great). Check out the headlamp forum for lots of discussion on these lights. Here's the mod threads:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=162784
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=154135
(scroll down for the Tikka mod).

 

[wintermute]

Crap - didn't even see the headlamp forum. Saw the EL at the beginning of the room and didn't read any further.