Help torchmodilliterate pick a simple m@gmod

islw2863

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jan 3, 2005
Messages
65
Location
Great Soggy Northwest
Pardon me for asking what must be a FAQ. In my defense I have searched all these questions here on CPF but the volume of answers and options just makes my head swim. I had to wrap it in duct tape to keep it from exploding.


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I have a 4D m@g I have never been pleased with due to so-so output and sickly yellow color. I remember seeing much discussion here about bi-pin socket retrofitting and bi-pin bulbs.

Tonight I was browsing the Home Depot light bulb section and noticed a 'regular size' bi-pin bulb with specs of 15 watt, 6 volt, 330 lumens, part SL-7001-A1-A. My 4D m@g is nominally 6v with fresh batteries, would this bulb perform well in the 4D with addition of bi-pin socket and no other parts modified?

In either case,

A>where can I get the bi-pin socket?

2<what is the best bi-pin lamp to use then without adding additional(reflector etc.) parts, and

III-where can I get that lamp?


I will be very very grateful for answers that are tailored to my complete torchmodilliteracy by being very simple. And short.

Thank You for your patience and time. . . .
 

DonShock

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 28, 2005
Messages
1,641
Location
Belton Texas
Here is the link for Kiu's MagD high temp socket:
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/104816

However, I think you'll be dissapointed with a 6v/15w bulb in the 4D. Once thing that's a little confusing is that a single alkaline is normally considered 1.5v, when in reality it typically drops to about 1.2v when put under any significant load. You'll find that this is the number that most people use here on CPF (4D x 1.2v = 4.8v).

I tried a WA1160 bulb (5v/17w) in a Mag4D. Definitely an improvement over the stock bulb but still rather yellow since it's a little underdriven at 4.8v. Not a nice white like the Mag11, Mag74, and Mag85's that I later built which all overdrive the bulbs at a little more than their rated voltages. However it does have the advantage of not needing any battery adapters and can even use the stock reflector and lens as long as run times are kept reasonably short. I have been buying my bulbs from either
LightEdge.com http://light-edge.com/products.asp?section=Super%20Bulbs&cat=40
or from this offer on BST https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/108339


The brightest Mag mods use custom battery adapters, aluminum reflector, and glass lenses in addition to the hotwire sockets and bipin bulbs. The Mag85 is probably the best that can be had a a reasonable cost, but is built on a Mag3D not a Mag4D. Here's a recent post detailing the construction: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/113100 including links to the various parts. You can also buy completed Mag85s at LightEdge.com or find them being offered in BST periodically.
 
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