Vector 2MCP vs. Mag 3D??? Goodness, Yes!

[Ginseng]

This post was returned to the thread on 2/8/06.

Now who in their right mind would pit a pitiful, pathetic, miserable Mag 3D against a powerhouse of a handheld spotlight like the Vector 2,000,000 Candlepower? Well, I guess a Hot Wire Guy would. Tonight's main event...

In the Yellow corner, The Vector 2MCP
Bulb: 100W, 12V, 8.33A H3 axial filament
Battery: 3.0 Ah sealed lead acid
Reflector: 6" steel
Lens: glass
Runtime: 30+ minutes
Total Cost: $28

In the Purple corner, the Monster Mag 3D
Bulb: 30W, 9.6V, 3.15A, Welch Allyn WA01185
Battery: 10 x Maha Powerex 2.0 Ah nimh, 2 EL 3-D, 1 RS 4AA carriers
Reflector: 2" Carley RF1940 aluminized, clear coated, solid aluminum
Lens: Flashlightlens.com UCL
Runtime: 17 minutes
Total Cost: $80

Let's let the pictures do the talking. Pics taken with a Sony DCR-PC120BT digital video cam in digipic mode.

Picture 1: 45' to my garage door. V2MCP on the left, MoMag on the right.

Picture 2: S4MadMan Beauty Shot. V2MCP tipped towards door, MoMag tipped away.

Picture 3: Lighting up the night sky shot. V2MCP on the left, MoMag on the right.

The little old Mag sure does hold its own considering the Vector's 100W H3 bulb probably makes in the range of 2,600 to 3,000 lumens. But then the WA01185 is an absolute monster. Overdriven to the max on 10 nimh, it's probably running around 10.7V and 3.4A. Rerating formulas peg the bulb output at over 1,200 lumens. A conservative torch conversion estimates output at the front of the torch to be around 700 lumens. MagCharger? No problem. Tigerlight? Nope. SF M6? Eh, eh. If it sounds like I'm having fun, that's exactly the case. I'm vaporizing tungsten and scorching eyeballs...what more could a Hot Wire Guy want?

All those folks who ordered this bulb in the recent group buy, prepare to be amazed.

Wilkey

 

[Sway]

Wilkey,

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif

That is some serious light /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Wish I wasn't stuck with that ole' Blitz thingy.
Later
Sway

 

[Ginseng]

Sway,

You kill me! Your advice to the 4D guy..."Man up!" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowlaugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowlaugh.gif I guess that makes me a teenager /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ... I wish.

Wilkey

 

[Hoghead]

Wilkey,
Now that's what I call a beam shot /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[PaulW]

Wilkey,

Great description. I love it. So the 1185 configuration is called a MoMag. I have one and I'm glad it now has a name. It's a deceptive rascal -- looks like it's only a poor Maglite. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Yep, them what's ordered some 1185s are in for a treat.

Paul

 

[Ginseng]

Paul,
From the outside, it is completely identical to a stock Mag 3D, especially with the smooth Carley reflector. But when that switch button is pushed...I'm just waiting for the opportunity to say "Hmm, I got mine at Walmart just like you. Maybe yours is broken?" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I took my batteries out for charging overnight. After the cells have rested a bit, the voltage has dropped from 1.45V to 1.38V. I think I might rest them a bit more. Alternatively, perhaps condition them by running a Carley 809 for a minute or two. A stack of 5x123 had an open circuit voltage of over 15V but I think the internal resistance pulled that down quickly.

Hoggy,
You ordered the WA01318. Although it doesn't put out as much light as the WA01185, it makes a hotspot that is about as bright at a distance. That bulb seems to focus better because of its smaller filament.

Wilkey

 

[PaulW]

[ QUOTE ]
Ginseng said:
Paul,
...I'm just waiting for the opportunity to say "Hmm, I got mine at Walmart just like you. Maybe yours is broken?" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Wilkey

[/ QUOTE ]

Priceless! I'm going to remember that line. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Paul

 

[Sinjz]

Very nice!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif BTW that "4D guy" has a name. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm lazy so I'm cutting and pasting a little from my 4D thread. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ginseng, nice purple monster mag 3D. That's the type of thing I want, but brighter. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Radio Shack has a 4 AA battery carrier that fits in a Mag D cell light and can be stacked?!? Can the WA01185 bulb handle 12 Alkalines or 12 Nimhs? Is that 2" Carley RF1940 the best reflector for throw?

 

[Ginseng]

Hey Sinjz,

No problem...I was even lazier. I didn't go back to the 4D thread to look up your name /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Here's some answers for ya.

The RS 4AA carrier needs a lot of work before 1) it'll fit in a Mag, 2) has the positive contact on one end and the negative on the other and 3) has sufficiently low resistance not to choke the power flow at 3+ amps. Basically what you're buying is the battery cage.

The WA01185 will choke on alkaline cells. They do not have sufficient current capability to handle 3+ amps. 10 nimhs is the hairy edge of overdrive. 9 is very safe. Keep in mind that this is a 9.6V bulb. My stack of 10xAA nimh showed an unloaded voltage of about 13.5V.

The Carley RF1940 is equivalent to the Mag reflector for throw. That is, they both execute the parabolic profile about the same. Meaning same depth, same width, same location of focal point. If you want world class throw, a 3" reflector like the Carley 2102 or Otokoyama's custom 3" jobbies is the ticket. Of course, it's much wider and deeper. Throw is also hampered somewhat by the fact that the filament of the WA01185 is fairly large. Not huge like an 18V tool bulb, but larger than your typical low voltage bulb. This means that the hotspot is going to look sort of bi-lobe as both ends of the filament image fairly far from the single focal point of the reflector. The nice feature is that the two lobes intersect at the center making a ferocious compound hotspot.

How's that?

Wilkey

 

[Sinjz]

Thanks for the info Ginseng. I'm going to spend a week or two figuring everything out and seeing which parts I can actually find and afford. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Seems like I'll have to wait for some group buys or special sales or something before I can start. Hopefully I'll be able to get it done before 2004 ends. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Thanks for all the info everybody. I just hope I can repay you guys by putting the Monster Mag 3D to shame. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[AilSnail]

You did it now wilky. I finally have to go and buy myself a maglite, shame on you.

So, where does one find REALLY low volt bulbs with REALLY high amps?

 

[Ginseng]

Sinjz,
I look forward to seeing your SuperTorch. That's ok, because I'll be working on the...MagZilla. I'll let your mind run wild with the possibilities. I'll just say 3 times as bright as the MoMag in a 3D body. Don't even think about using the stock switch.

Ail,
How low in volts and how high in amps are you thinking? I have been playing with the WA01183 and that is a 4.7V, 3.85A bulb. It is a monster to run and even two parallel stacks of 2x123 can't drive it to spec. Sorry about leading you to Mag...if there were a better tubular host I'd be on it.

Wilkey

 

[Pi_is_blue]

How does the WA01183 work with 4 NiMH C or D cells?

 

[Ginseng]

The cells need to supply almost 4 amps. For any cell that is rated 4Ah and above, this is a 1C rate or less. I think it should be ok. Frankly, I was surprised that a double stack of 2x123 did not do the job. IME, SF123 are capable of supplying 2.75A. I'm not sure what the issue is. I would even try 5 cells, nimh C or D. The nimh AA I have are fine at 3.5A so I think there is no issue. You know I don't run any incan setup that is not at least mildly overdriven. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Wilkey

 

[AilSnail]

Good to see you are raising the bar a bit, so that you don't look like complete toddlers when I introduce you to the 3c Mjölner, Maggoth of Doom.

 

[Ginseng]

Bring it on Ail! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Isn't that the name of Thor's hammer? How about I whip out the Gungnir of Ragnarok??? 10 amps of photons that'll send you to Valhalla for sure /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Wilkey

 

[LongFei]

[ QUOTE ]
Ginseng said:
Bring it on Ail! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Isn't that the name of Thor's hammer? How about I whip out the Gungnir of Ragnarok??? 10 amps of photons that'll send you to Valhalla for sure /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Wilkey

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely off-topic, but Thor's hammer was named Mjolnir (your transliteration may vary).

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif

 

[Ginseng]

Right, that's what I remember from the comic books. However, I defer to Ail since being in Norway, he's much closer to the genesis of those mythos. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Wilkey

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

It HOOVERS to be poor and credit card restricted!

I soldier along driving 4.8v .75a bulbs with 2x123, any number of D cell bulb with an extra C, and one 5 cell M*g bulb on 3x123+1AA Lith.

And of course a WA01318 on 4x123+1AA Lith with a Carley 1940 Reflector in a 3C M*G. Quite bright!!!

I'd love to play with bigger badder stuff, but I can't charge more than 4AA at a time. And same goes for C or D. You know... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/broke.gif

 

[Mike Painter]

[ QUOTE ]
PaulW said:
[ QUOTE ]
Ginseng said:
Paul,
...I'm just waiting for the opportunity to say "Hmm, I got mine at Walmart just like you. Maybe yours is broken?" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Wilkey

[/ QUOTE ]
Priceless! I'm going to remember that line. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Paul

[/ QUOTE ]
Years ago a co-worker and I ordered a small chocolate sunday at a fast food place. I had just started dating the waitress. She gave my friend a small chocolate sunday and I got this huge thing in a big cup with whipped cream, cherries, nuts etc.

My friend looked at his, then at mine and asked what I had ordered. I told him "A chocolate sunday. He looked at his and mine and asked what size I had ordered. I told him "small".
He looked back and forth between the two, shrugged and went on eating. I never told him about the waitress...
I said