Questions about the Rayovac 3-in-1 LS mod

[LightHearted]

Okay, I bought a Rayovac 3-in-1 head-lite and would love to try that LS mod that LUX LUTHOR described here. If any of you could help a newbie out, I'd be much obliged.

First, I called Future Shop to check the price on the LS that LUX recommends and found that they have a $25 minimum and charge something like $8 for postage. Suddenly, this mod is not so cost effective. Anyone know of a better source for these emitters?

Next, would I need to put a resistor in this guy? Someone mentioned that they had trouble until they installed one. Where would it go and what value would I need?

Finally, what type of emitter would be best if I want a wide white beam (HD or SE)?

Thanks for your help!
Ken

 

[BugLightGeek]

I've done that mod and it's quite nice. Let me see what I can remember:
You do need a SE so it uses the reflector to harness the light. I beleive you'll need to enlarge the hole in the reflector a bit. Take it slow on the drill so you don't break/crack the reflector.

I did not use any resistance for the LS LED.

I also removed one of the red 5mm LED's and the resistance for it and put in a blue 5mm LED. It makes some cool colors using 1 red & 1 blue. You'll need to add some wire as a lead when you remove the resistance.

I also removed the resistance for the white LED so it's brighter. Again, use wire as a lead.

I couldn't completely remove both red LED's since the switch mechanism covers the last red LED and didn't feel like screwing anything up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif

You'll also need rechargeable AAA's to make the best use out of the LS LED since rechargeables will have lower resistance and actually make the LS LED brighter than normal AAA's.

I called Future when I ordered mine and just did it over the phone. I only ordered 1 LED so they didn't enforce the $25 minimum order.

I might be interested in getting a couple more LED's with you; 1 white & 1 cyan.
I wonder if you can specify the bin on these....?

 

[Lux Luthor]

KLM,

You might try the shoppe instead of future, but I'm not sure what they have in stock. I've also had problems with Future for small orders, and don't like their shipping costs. Can also try Quickar (Mark Hannah) for good service and lower shipping (than Future).

With regard to resistance, I've only run NiMHs in them. For that you need to add a resistor in line with it if you care about the LED. It depends on the forward voltage, but you might try at least an ohm. You can get those at "the shoppe" too.

I have run both HD and SE. HD gives tight beam with lots of spill. SE gives wider hotspot with less spill. Beam is smoother with HD. LD might give more spill, but I haven't tried it.

 

[Lux Luthor]

KLM,

Been thinking. I've been using these mainly as platforms for doing quickie tests of Luxeons in the field. I have a couple, and I can spare one. I also have an extra 1ohm resistor I can throw in there. Why don't you PM me your address, and I can send one to you (no charge). Then you can see how it's done, and modify the one you already bought, as you see fit.

 

[BugLightGeek]

Lux - Thanks for stepping in and showing him the light!

Wouldn't want to lead him astray with my poor recollection about the resistor with the LED.
(If I may, do you happen to have an extra cyan I could buy, after KLM gets his?)

 

[LightHearted]

[ QUOTE ]
Lux Luthor said:
I have a couple, and I can spare one. I also have an extra 1ohm resistor I can throw in there. Why don't you PM me your address, and I can send one to you (no charge).

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow! Thanks Lux. PM sent. It would be great to be able to see your handiwork. All you guys on this board sure are helpful. I'm sure I'll have more questions once I get closer to putting it together. I'll be sure and post pics along the way.

Thanks again,
Ken

 

[Lux Luthor]

KLM,

PM sent.

BugLightGeek,

Sorry. I don't have any cyan luxeons left. I had one, but I lost it, along with some other parts. I had a green SE, but broke the dome off of it. I bought a green luxIII to replace it, but I need that one for a lantern.

If you want, you can have the other light, but without the LED, and I don't have the strap. I was using these for tests of different colored luxeons in the woods. I learned a lot and have no plans for further tests, so I don't really need either of the lights.

 

[snakebite]

i changed the 2 reds to white and put one of the reds where the white was.swapped the resistors too.
iirc you need a 10 for white and 22 or 27 for red.
i used a 1/64 tip on an isotip iron to get at the red under the terminal block.mine is now
1 1red
2 2white
3 luxeon.

 

[StuU]

I did this mod.
I replace the 3 lower leds with 5600 Nichia whites and tied them together electrically so that all 3 light up on the first switch position. I used 33 ohm 1/4 watt resistors.

I replaced the incandescent with a cheap high-dome LS which screws right in. The second switch position lights up the LS at about 130ma with a nice spot. Resistance was 10 ohms, I think.

Third switch position is a direct drive to the LS. It's still some what underdriven with this arrangement. Lots of room to work.

 

[snakebite]

nice thing about a hd is you can take off the bezel and have a nice flood.