Regulator in Dorcy Metal Gear?

thematrix · Apr 20, 2006

Hello-

I, like many others, find the Dorcy Metal Gear case to be pleasing (minus the crappy belt clip made of REGULAR steel) but the contents lacking.

I've read numerous threads regarding modding this light, but none talking about adding regulation to it. There is sufficient space inside for additional components...is there some other reason no one has done this?

TM

trivergata · Apr 20, 2006

Here's one I did awhile ago - there is more room in there than there should be - you could add 5 regulator boards, I bet!

A FluPic metal gear would be pretty cool.........................

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/102003

Josh

thematrix · Apr 20, 2006

I saw your post, but I guess I overlooked that part. I've been involved in electronics all my life, but I'm very new to all this flashlight stuff. In my mind I should be able to pop in a LM317, but according to National's specs, that needs at least ~4V input. Do you, or anyone, know of any regulation circuits recommended for use in this circumstance?

Thanks.

TM

trivergata · Apr 20, 2006

Isn't the metal gear a 3XAAA setup? That should net you 4 to 4.5 volts, and work fine with the specs you quoted.

Josh

Pellidon · Apr 20, 2006

I put a Dorcy single AAA in one and bypassed the output resistor and pound it with a 3.7 volt LI-Ion Rechargeable for extra damage. Suprise it hasn't smoked yet.

thematrix · Apr 20, 2006

trivergata, right, but what happens when the batteries drop that half a volt and go below the minimum input threshold? Will the regulator just begin to drop its output, or will it completely stop? Perhaps I should experiment for myself...

legtu · Apr 20, 2006

thematrix said:
In my mind I should be able to pop in a LM317, but according to National's specs, that needs at least ~4V input. Do you, or anyone, know of any regulation circuits recommended for use in this circumstance?

Unfortunately, an LM317 also requires a ~2.5v working voltage in addition to its output voltage. Eg. If your LED vf is ~3.2v, you need ~5.7v input.

Also consider that alkalines(especially AAA's) won't hold their rated 1.5v under medium-heavy loads.

With 3-cell setups, I'd recommend using an LDO.

Regulator in Dorcy Metal Gear?

thematrix

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trivergata

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thematrix

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trivergata

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Pellidon

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thematrix

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legtu

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