Somebody smokin sumthin

[miner]

I pulled up instructions some time ago for converting a flashlight. That is also what led me here to this site and I have to say it is really a hopping site. I can't believe the interest!
Well, the guy said to solder the positive lead in the center of the bulb socket after breaking the glass out and to solder the neg. leads to the bulb base. Real good idea except the base on all the bulbs I have seen are aluminum.
I had to turn a base from brass, epoxy an insulating plug in the center with a brass contact at the end. Soldered my wires to it and all is fine. Can't figure out how this guy soldered to the aluminum. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smoker5.gif

 

[Negeltu]

I solder to them just fine :-\

 

[AlphaTea]

You dont have to get the aluminum hot enough to melt, but it does have to be hot enough to melt the solder.

 

[greg_in_canada]

The bulbs I've seen look like tinned steel which
is easy to solder to if you have enough heat.
Check with a magnet to see if it is steel (magnetic)
or aluminum (non-magnetic).

Greg

 

[IsaacHayes]

Or solder where the exsiting solder is to the outside..

 

[danielo_d]

I've done a coupla PR mods. It makes it easier when you score [or scratch] up the immediate surface to be soldered.

Here's a pic of one.

[btw, this is for a 4AA/4D host. There's a resistor inside the can.]


And I did one similar to this one at Flashlightreviews site.

So, it's possible.

Good Luck!


Danno