So where do I begin for first flashlight mod?

[redfishsc]

OK y'all. I know a small amount about LEDs, I've rigged them up for use over reef aquaria before (XRE's and XPG's, Meanwell drivers, etc..).


I'm thinking of doing a flashlight mod, and later doing a couple for Christmas gifts for a couple friends.

Right now I have nothing except 1 spare white XPG, 5 royal blue XRE's, and of course a multimeter.


I don't necessarily need to use any of those LEDs, it's just what I have. I'm not sure I need a blue flashlight anyhow lol...


Where do I start? Anyone have a good link to the basics of a simple mod?

Later I'd like to do an MCE flashlight mod, I guess it would be a MAG light C-cell, or maybe a D cell.

Any tips/advice is appreciated!

Matt

 

[kramer5150]

Just surf the DIY and the MMM sub-forums.
Theres a fair bit of DIY action in the HID-spotlight sub forum too.

Start with that, and go from there. Few basic questions you will need to sort out:
-What kind of cells + chemistry do your friends all use?
-Whats your budget?
-How many Lumens do you want to give them, how much run time and how big of a size do you want?.... its a 3-way balance scale.
-How will they use the light? Constant ON as a shop/home task light... stashed away in a love box as an emergency tool... camp-site outdoor adventures... or like all of us here as a geek-toy to play around with?

Start with that and hit the ground running.

:welcome:

 

[redfishsc]

Just surf the DIY and the MMM sub-forums.
Theres a fair bit of DIY action in the HID-spotlight sub forum too.

OK will do. Here's the quick answer to your questions also.

-What kind of cells + chemistry do your friends all use?

They're probably just using standard C and D alkaline batteries. Is this an issue?

-Whats your budget?

Not sure yet.

-How many Lumens do you want to give them, how much run time and how big of a size do you want?.... its a 3-way balance scale.

Not too worried about run time-- size, no bigger than a C-cell or D-cell Mag. Lumen output- something with that "holy #$@%#" effect.

-How will they use the light? Constant ON as a shop/home task light... stashed away in a love box as an emergency tool... camp-site outdoor adventures... or like all of us here as a geek-toy to play around with?

Mostly the geek-toy. One of the guys that will be getting this is a former Nuke in the Navy, so he's a geek toy kinda guy. He runs a cabinet shop and has a BUNCH of kids, so he doesn't have time to do something like this himself. I'm not even sure he's aware of the DIY mods, so I'd like his flashlight to have some "shock" value to it.

 

[PCC]

They're probably just using standard C and D alkaline batteries. Is this an issue?

Not too worried about run time-- size, no bigger than a C-cell or D-cell Mag. Lumen output- something with that "holy #$@%#" effect.

In a way it is an issue as you will need a boost driver. There aren't all that many boost drivers that will give you the WOW factor. Boost drivers are needed when the battery voltage is lower than the Vf of the emitter(s). This is true when running alkalines up to 3 cells. 4 cells and more can benefit from a buck driver but the size and weight of such a light is not practical for most folks. I guess you can run a 6AA to 2D adapter or 9AA to 3D adapter to get the voltage you want.

Mostly the geek-toy. One of the guys that will be getting this is a former Nuke in the Navy, so he's a geek toy kinda guy. He runs a cabinet shop and has a BUNCH of kids, so he doesn't have time to do something like this himself. I'm not even sure he's aware of the DIY mods, so I'd like his flashlight to have some "shock" value to it.

How's this: a 2 or 3 D MagLite, 6 or 9 AA to 2D or 3D adapters, respectively, a three mode Kaidomain SSC P7 driver, and a D-bin SSC P7? Should cost about $75 to make and will put out at least 500 lumens on high (mine puts out right at 500 lumens out the front on high). The multi-mode driver will allow it to have a decent run time on the lower modes but have the WOW factor on high. I'd feed it Eneloops or any good NiMH cells and you'd get about an hour on high (more with the 3D configuration) and really long run times on low. I have this setup on one 2D Mag running two Li-Ion cells scavenged from a used laptop battery pack. It was recently measured at 500 lumens out the front with a huge gap between the reflector and the star (allowing some light to escape) and using a C-bin P7. The D-bin makes more light from the same input.