Question: Typical Voltage Drop on a Mag - 'C' Li-ions & IMRs?

[RichS]

I'm trying to figure out some numbers on two of my Mag mods, and I need to know what the typical voltage drop is on a typical 2 or 3 cell maglight. i.e., if 3 'C' li-ion cells with 4.0v are used in series for 12.0v total, what will the voltage be at the bulb for an WA 1185? What about the same scenario with IMRs and a CL-1909?

Secondly, does anyone know how the AW Mag C/D soft start switch will impact this? Lastly - how would a tailspring mod affect the final voltage?

Thanks in advance!

-Rich

 

[Dioni]

I think.... uh :thinking:

Bump!

 

[Billy Ram]

I'm trying to figure out some numbers on two of my Mag mods, and I need to know what the typical voltage drop is on a typical 2 or 3 cell maglight. i.e., if 3 'C' li-ion cells with 4.0v are used in series for 12.0v total, what will the voltage be at the bulb for an WA 1185? What about the same scenario with IMRs and a CL-1909?

Secondly, does anyone know how the AW Mag C/D soft start switch will impact this? Lastly - how would a tailspring mod affect the final voltage?

Thanks in advance!

-Rich

I may be able to find out in a few days on the IMRs/FM1909 for you. I have my IMR26500s charged up to 4.18v.x3=12.54v. As far as the tail spring mod running the 1185 I couldn't measure any differance in amps or brightness. There's measured resistance in the tail spring out of the light but when screwed down against battery packs it's compressed. The new spring in my light must have been shorting it self and lowering the resitance while compressed. The bulb tower spring mod made a noticable differance.
Billy

 

[fivemega]

I'm trying to figure out some numbers on two of my Mag mods, and I need to know what the typical voltage drop is on a typical 2 or 3 cell maglight. i.e., if 3 'C' li-ion cells with 4.0v are used in series for 12.0v total, what will the voltage be at the bulb for an WA 1185? What about the same scenario with IMRs and a CL-1909?

Secondly, does anyone know how the AW Mag C/D soft start switch will impact this? Lastly - how would a tailspring mod affect the final voltage?

Thanks in advance!

-Rich

Not all NEW M*gs are same and you will find some differences in each flashlight. Old flashlights may have much higher resistance.
You may find some helpfull information here but find your answer by your experience.
FM1909 is designed for this 3x26500 body which has almost zero resistance in tower which you will never get in M*glite no matter how you fix resistance.

 

[RichS]

I may be able to find out in a few days on the IMRs/FM1909 for you. I have my IMR26500s charged up to 4.18v.x3=12.54v. As far as the tail spring mod running the 1185 I couldn't measure any differance in amps or brightness. There's measured resistance in the tail spring out of the light but when screwed down against battery packs it's compressed. The new spring in my light must have been shorting it self and lowering the resitance while compressed. The bulb tower spring mod made a noticable differance.
Billy

Great, thanks for the info! I look forward to your findings on the FM1909. The parts to complete my Mag09 are in transit..

 

[RichS]

FM1909 is designed for this 3x26500 body which has almost zero resistance in tower which you will never get in M*glite no matter how you fix resistance.

Good to know FM. Does the AW switch have much lower resistance than the standard Mag switch? I'm assuming the spring mod doesn't apply to the AW switch.

 

[fivemega]

Good to know FM. Does the AW switch have much lower resistance than the standard Mag switch? I'm assuming the spring mod doesn't apply to the AW switch.

Drive hotwire lamps up to 75W
- Low resistance

As you see, if it's designed for up to 75 Watts, it must be less resistance than stock M*g switch.

 

[RichS]

As you see, if it's designed for up to 75 Watts, it must be less resistance than stock M*g switch.

Right - I figured it had lower resistance, I just wasn't sure if the difference was nominal, or if it was on par with the almost zero resistance tower in your 3x26500 body.

 

[Billy Ram]

OK Rich here's what I found.
I got a reading of 12.49v. at the socket "no bulb"
I measured my batterys before installing and got 4.16v./4.16v./4.17v.
At the bulb "whew kinda bright" 11.63v.
Amps at the tail cap settled at 5.45a.
PS: According to LuxLuthor's wonderful tables this should be 2360-2400 lumens. "Quite bright"
Billy

 

[RichS]

OK Rich here's what I found.
I got a reading of 12.49v. at the socket "no bulb"
I measured my batterys before installing and got 4.16v./4.16v./4.17v.
At the bulb "whew kinda bright" 11.63v.
Amps at the tail cap settled at 5.45a.
PS: According to LuxLuthor's wonderful tables this should be 2360-2400 lumens. "Quite bright"
Billy

Awesome - only a drop of .86v - not too shabby! I could deal with 2400 lumens out of a 3 cell light...

So are you using the stock switch with bi-pin adapter, a Kiu switch, or an AW switch? If you are using a stock switch, did you do any resistance fixes?

Thanks so much for testing this!

-Rich

 

[Billy Ram]

Awesome - only a drop of .86v - not too shabby! I could deal with 2400 lumens out of a 3 cell light...

So are you using the stock switch with bi-pin adapter, a Kiu switch, or an AW switch? If you are using a stock switch, did you do any resistance fixes?

Thanks so much for testing this!

-Rich

This is with the FM 3x26500 body with the McClicky tail cap switch and stainless FM socket. "Very little resistance"
Billy

 

[RichS]

This is with the FM 3x26500 body with the McClicky tail cap switch and stainless FM socket. "Very little resistance"
Billy

Ahh, that makes more sense. Well, hopefully I'll get close with an AW switch and tailspring mod.

 

[Billy Ram]

Ahh, that makes more sense. Well, hopefully I'll get close with an AW switch and tailspring mod.

That should get you there. Looking foward to the report and beam shots. I really enjoy out door beam shots.
Billy

 

[Billy Ram]

Using my work horse m*g85 last night the batterys finally ran down. So I had my charger with me and charged them right back up. While we're doing voltage drop readings and with a fresh charge I decided to see how these ni-mhs are performing. Over 13v. hot off the charger wouldn't be too kind to my tired old 1185 so I need to let these things calm down a bit. After quite a few hrs. these things are still at 12.6v. "You would think this would insta-flash my bulb" Well it hasn't so far and it's a good thing with ni-mhs the voltage pulls down quite a bit more under load than the IMRs. Under load the volts instantly drop down to arround 11v. with amps at the tail cap at 3.35a.
I don't believe the 1185 would have a very long life in front of IMRs. With 11.63v. under a 5.45a. load the volts would be a bit higher with a lighter 3.35a. load and
The m*g85 is going to be hard to beat but my FM09 is making a good effort. Being twice as bright and small enough to fit my pocket it's gaining ground.
What next:shrug:
Billy