Replacement Bulb For Craftsman 3D

Any recommendations for a replacement LED bulb for a 3D? I'm looking for brightest output of course. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I was at Sears and picked-up a Craftsman incandescent, aluminum 3D flashlight for $20. Nice finish, has a battery life indicator and puts out a bright light, ~5,700 Lux, giving my Streamlight SL-20X a run for its money, ~6,400 Lux (currently, been as high as 7,200 Lux on a fresh charge). The 3D also comes with an extra bulb and is an all-around great flashlight at $20.

Only two complaints, small and non-uniform hot spot which is probably due to the bulb, a Philips HPX30, as the reflector appears to be flawless; but what the heck do I know? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Anyway, please advise on an LED replacement bulb, thanks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The only drop-ins I know of are the LEDCorp Epion 3-cell, or the much-awaited LEDynamics EverLED. I don't have either, so I can't comment on comparitive brightness. There has been some discussion here on both of those.

You could possibly mod it into a "Blaster" using a 1W LS & 30MM optics or the reflector. I think that would be fairly bright.

If you wanted to go the 5W LS mod route, you'd either have to use a BB700 or similar stepup converter, or use more than 3 cells. You'd also probably have to modify or disconnect the battery indicator.

The battery indicator circuit in my Sears 4AA Tool Light has much more circuitry than I would have guessed. It has 3 or 4 transistors and some other components. I would guess yours is similar. Mine never changes from green since I put one of Willie Hunt's LVR incandescent PWM regulators in it. That's probably due to the pulsed current demand on the batteries - the indicator curcuit still sees adequate voltage between load pulses.

Have fun - John

I have one of these in the 2D version and it is ****-yellow on fresh batteries. Anybody have a recommendation for an upgrade bulb? Incan is fine, I'd just like a brighter, whiter beam. (Don't we all?) That pic above puts mine to shame, and I know it's not just the extra cell...... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Do either of you have the ability to test the indicators with a power supply?

I'm curious if they're better than the one on my 4D rubber Craftsman lantern, where the indicator doesn't quit being green until 1.1V per cell or so, and a slow fading between colors as the batteries fail rather than a clear G,Y,R sequence.

The indicator on the Ray-O-Vac industrial 2D lights that have indicators (Home Depot has 'em) have sharp changes between light colors, and useful voltage points.

I can test the one in my Sears 4AA to check the voltage transition points - give me a little time and I'll get to it.

John

Tested the indicator on the Sears 4AA.

Colors slowly fade from green to orange to red. Orange is actually a continually changing shade - likely a mix of red and green. There is only point where it actually looks orange.

On falling voltage, green begins transition to orange at at 3 volts. Orange begins transition to red at 2.75 volts. Not terribly useful for a 4-cell application IMO.

John

On that 2D light you might try a piece of 1" plastic pipe and 3C cells.

Any 2D I can do that to has been done!

The bulbs don't seem to last as long as driving a 3 cell with 4, but seem to do okay.
(gotta use Krypton - Xenons and Kalogens don't like it!)