This week I initiated a whole bunch of projects all at once to use up a bunch of Kaidomain parts, and some old maglits hosts I've had collecting dust for months. Basically, one project led to another in a domino effect:
I Built a 2D 5761
Silver 2D host. Spare 5761 lamp in tailcap.
Used Kiu Socket, Kaidomain D-Cells, Kai MOP reflector (had to dremel the opening to fit the bulb), and AW 3-Level switch. This is likely to take over as my new 2nd most used light behind the LF2x -- the multistage is actually quite convenient. Runtime should be 50min/90min/180min.
Of course, this light was basically unnecessary considering I already had a perfectly good 2C ROP. So I decided to change that:
I converted my 2C ROP to a 2C 5761.
Black 2C host, with green GID switch membrane backlit by 2 UV LEDs. 5761 too big for tailcap.
No point having two lights that serve essentially the same purpose (floody incan lights with ~50 minute runtimes). I installed a Kiu socket, and a Kai SMO reflector -- the reason I chose this instead of the 2D to be the "thrower" is that long runtime isn't necessary for throw, as well as the "shock and awe" factor of pulling a ~1200 lumen spotlight with a super concentrated beam out of my jacket pocket
I'm in the process of building a 4C 1185
Black 4C Host, w/ GID switch baclkit by 3 UV LEDs. Spare bulb in tailcap.
I wanted to do something a lot cooler with the 4C, I've been looking into options for a very long time, but unfortunately there aren't really any powerful lamps that run on voltages available in a 4C. There's tons of overdriven 6V lamps, but once you get past that, there's nothing much until you get into overdriven 12V lamps, which generally require 6 Emoli cells, or 18NiMH cells to really be worthwhile. The few short-life 12V lamps that could in theory work at 14.8V demand currents too high for AW C-Cells. 1185 is really the only interesting lamp I could find in the ~11V range.
This is using the Cammed Fivemega MOP reflector formerly in my 2C ROP, 1185 is installed in the Kai Bipin adapter. I am testing the light out on some unprotected 18650s, but plan to permanently run 3xEmolis with NTC soft starter. Also should give me around 45-50 minutes runtime.
Eventually I want to do something more ambitious with this, to make it distinct from the previous two lights I mentioned. I want to build groups of 3 emoli cells into packs with protection board and balancing taps, that can be charged via a charging jack. I will have to bore a small channel for those wires, as the emoli cells alone are already a tight fit.
I will say though that of these lamps (ROP, 5761, 1185) I was pleasantly surprused with the 1185, its filament geometry provides by far the nicest beam of the three (tested with the same reflectors). Interestingly, though lumen output is similar for these three lights, I believe all will see use, as they each fill slightly different niches.
