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Runtimes of MM dialed way down?
- Thread starter John N
- Start date
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shankus
Flashlight Enthusiast
Why would you want to do that with a MadMax? Just curious....
In some respects, I'm just curious. However, I've been trying to hone my EDC and other emergency lights. One such optimization would be to use only one type of batteries.
Currently I think I've moved to all 123A cell lights for EDC - a SF M2 and a SF L1. This works well, but most backup lights CMG Ultra, Arc AAA, etc, would have a different battery type.
Enter the Firefly. The question is, could I get the runtimes of the CMG Ultra with a Firefly dialed down.
In other lines of thought, the Newbeam is pretty cool, but why bother getting Newbeams and Wayne's sandwiches if I could just get one type and adjust the output?
-john
Currently I think I've moved to all 123A cell lights for EDC - a SF M2 and a SF L1. This works well, but most backup lights CMG Ultra, Arc AAA, etc, would have a different battery type.
Enter the Firefly. The question is, could I get the runtimes of the CMG Ultra with a Firefly dialed down.
In other lines of thought, the Newbeam is pretty cool, but why bother getting Newbeams and Wayne's sandwiches if I could just get one type and adjust the output?
-john
tvodrd
*Flashaholic* ,
JohnN,
I'm new to MadMaxes myself, and haven't made the time or a fixture (to simplify the process) of looking at the electrical in/out. I hope someone here has. What you/we would like to know is the approximate Iin/out for the typical adjustment range of the little pot. I keep twisting mine CW (a little at a time about every other night) and don't seen to have found the "null" or dimmer. (I think I am perceiving an increase in brightness each time so far /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )
Larry
I'm new to MadMaxes myself, and haven't made the time or a fixture (to simplify the process) of looking at the electrical in/out. I hope someone here has. What you/we would like to know is the approximate Iin/out for the typical adjustment range of the little pot. I keep twisting mine CW (a little at a time about every other night) and don't seen to have found the "null" or dimmer. (I think I am perceiving an increase in brightness each time so far /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )
Larry
shankus
Flashlight Enthusiast
This is my experience with a standard MadMax, powering the sandwich up, external to the light, and dialing it down while watching to output.
I didn't notice any change in the output, and then all at once it is very low. I have seen other references to the pot being a kind of touchy with adjustments.
As far as dialing it down to Opalec-like output, it just seems wasteful to me. Like lowering a Hummer to 3 in., or putting a Pinto engine into a Viper.
Also, for me, 123 batteries and emergency lights don't go together, unless we're talking about different kinds of emergencies.
For instance, if there were a crippling earthquake here where I live, I wouldn't be able to get 123 batteries (They are still exotic & expensive. Typically only affordable online).
For emergencies, I stick to cells which I might be able to get in any convenience store. This narrows it down to AAA, AA, C & D.
I didn't notice any change in the output, and then all at once it is very low. I have seen other references to the pot being a kind of touchy with adjustments.
As far as dialing it down to Opalec-like output, it just seems wasteful to me. Like lowering a Hummer to 3 in., or putting a Pinto engine into a Viper.
Also, for me, 123 batteries and emergency lights don't go together, unless we're talking about different kinds of emergencies.
For instance, if there were a crippling earthquake here where I live, I wouldn't be able to get 123 batteries (They are still exotic & expensive. Typically only affordable online).
For emergencies, I stick to cells which I might be able to get in any convenience store. This narrows it down to AAA, AA, C & D.
Hi Shankus,
I prefer lithium cells for all my emergency lights. At this point that limits me to 123A and AA lights.
The main reason I prefer them is shelf life, weight (when carrying), output curve (flatter than alkaline) and better varied tempature performance. Also, the 123A cell with it's 3V output puts bright lights in a much handier package.
My main approach is to have the batteries and lights I think I would used, stocked. This means I provide for long runtime lights as well task and bright lights.
From my perspective, stores won't be particularly useful in an emergency. I live in earthquake country too, and it's a big factor in my emergency planning.
As for dialing the MM down, if it doesn't give Newbeam like runtime, I would agree. However, if you can get similar runtime to the Newbeam or bright light with the same module for about the same price as the Newbeam, why bother with the Newbeam? (Again, don't get me wrong, I like the Newbeams)
-john
I prefer lithium cells for all my emergency lights. At this point that limits me to 123A and AA lights.
The main reason I prefer them is shelf life, weight (when carrying), output curve (flatter than alkaline) and better varied tempature performance. Also, the 123A cell with it's 3V output puts bright lights in a much handier package.
My main approach is to have the batteries and lights I think I would used, stocked. This means I provide for long runtime lights as well task and bright lights.
From my perspective, stores won't be particularly useful in an emergency. I live in earthquake country too, and it's a big factor in my emergency planning.
As for dialing the MM down, if it doesn't give Newbeam like runtime, I would agree. However, if you can get similar runtime to the Newbeam or bright light with the same module for about the same price as the Newbeam, why bother with the Newbeam? (Again, don't get me wrong, I like the Newbeams)
-john
obeck
Newly Enlightened
[ QUOTE ]
shankus said:
As far as dialing it down to Opalec-like output, it just seems wasteful to me. Like lowering a Hummer to 3 in., or putting a Pinto engine into a Viper.
[/ QUOTE ]
Of course, if this were true there would be no reason for the adjustability of the MM. Fortunately, there are other obvious reasons for both the use and adjustability (to dial down) a mad max. The biggest reason... because it can be dialed back, it could be put in a small light like the proposed firefly and run at half a BB400 power (about 200maH). This should greatly reduce the heat output of the module, as well as provide for longer running time. Its not like putting a pinto engine in a viper. Its more like tuning the viper engine for stop-and-go traffic.
shankus said:
As far as dialing it down to Opalec-like output, it just seems wasteful to me. Like lowering a Hummer to 3 in., or putting a Pinto engine into a Viper.
[/ QUOTE ]
Of course, if this were true there would be no reason for the adjustability of the MM. Fortunately, there are other obvious reasons for both the use and adjustability (to dial down) a mad max. The biggest reason... because it can be dialed back, it could be put in a small light like the proposed firefly and run at half a BB400 power (about 200maH). This should greatly reduce the heat output of the module, as well as provide for longer running time. Its not like putting a pinto engine in a viper. Its more like tuning the viper engine for stop-and-go traffic.
Bullzeyebill
Flashaholic
marklein, CPF members might be shy about fooling with the adj. pot on the MM. My MM has a good long run time the way it came from the Sandwich Shoppe. I did get brave and adj. the pot up on my MM+. Seemed easy. The adjustment dial was metal, unlike the MM, and stood up well to my tinkering. It is generally considered a pain in the rump. If you have one, then do experiment. I am sure that you would find the perfect position that would allow the MM to run for hours at a constant output, considerably longer than the NewBeam, I am sure.
This all confuses me. The idea of a tiny EDC light like the Firefly is to take it everywhere. A household emergency light doesn't have to be tiny. In fact you're probably better off choosing something big so you won't lose it. A 6D Mag is probably a good choice.
Sorry for the confusion Paulr, I mean, an EDC backup light. Not that I really need one. It's sort of a compulsion, you know?!
In fact, I thought about it and I couldn't think of a justification for the Firefly. I'm going to get at least one anyways. It's just too cool. Maybe this is just me looking for a justification. 🙂
-john
In fact, I thought about it and I couldn't think of a justification for the Firefly. I'm going to get at least one anyways. It's just too cool. Maybe this is just me looking for a justification. 🙂
-john
[ QUOTE ]
Bullzeyebill said:
marklein, CPF members might be shy about fooling with the adj. pot on the MM.
[/ QUOTE ]
That was a joke, right? CPF members are afraid to modify flashlights? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif Riiiight...
Bullzeyebill said:
marklein, CPF members might be shy about fooling with the adj. pot on the MM.
[/ QUOTE ]
That was a joke, right? CPF members are afraid to modify flashlights? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif Riiiight...
