I've seen posts discussing Solitaire with "hot wire" bulb upgrades, Mag 2AA bulb & Rayovac 3AAA 2.4V 300MA bulbs etc. But old posts were not able to get to a good beam quality & I didn't see any beam shots,
so I decided to try one out.
Went to Radio Shack & found this bulb: #272-1150.
Mini-Krypton 2.5V/430mA. (Tried Mag 2AA bulb, + 10440 =
).
Radio Shack bulb on left/Mag 2AA bulb on right. Both are slightly longer than Solitaire bulb. Bottom: the bulb holder (top "plug" piece is drilled out to sink the bulb deeper, otherwise the bulb will poke the lens)
Then, take the Soli. Reflector out (Bend the tabs one by one using sharp tool & it'll slide out).
The bulb won't go in, as it's slightly fatter than the reflector opening.
A light coat of "clear spray" to stipple the reflector making it OP,
then drill out the hole (The spray helps to prevent the reflector coating
from "flaking off" during drilling process too).
Now, sanding to frost the bulb. This is more important than "spray" the reflector, the frosted bulb runs nice on Stock smooth reflector but the "sprayed" reflector still give a bad beam on clear bulb.
While I have the bulb socket out, I always cut the "skirt" around the the battery positive contact point,
as the 10440 has more of a flat top vs. regular AAA, may experience contact issues.
The skirt-less bulb holder :laughing:
Insert 10440 li-ion, No after 5 min. make a nice Solitaire Candle:candle:
Beam shots compare to stock soli. stock to come after dark!
so I decided to try one out.
Went to Radio Shack & found this bulb: #272-1150.
Mini-Krypton 2.5V/430mA. (Tried Mag 2AA bulb, + 10440 =
).Radio Shack bulb on left/Mag 2AA bulb on right. Both are slightly longer than Solitaire bulb. Bottom: the bulb holder (top "plug" piece is drilled out to sink the bulb deeper, otherwise the bulb will poke the lens)
Then, take the Soli. Reflector out (Bend the tabs one by one using sharp tool & it'll slide out).
The bulb won't go in, as it's slightly fatter than the reflector opening.
A light coat of "clear spray" to stipple the reflector making it OP,
then drill out the hole (The spray helps to prevent the reflector coating
from "flaking off" during drilling process too).
Now, sanding to frost the bulb. This is more important than "spray" the reflector, the frosted bulb runs nice on Stock smooth reflector but the "sprayed" reflector still give a bad beam on clear bulb.
While I have the bulb socket out, I always cut the "skirt" around the the battery positive contact point,
as the 10440 has more of a flat top vs. regular AAA, may experience contact issues.
The skirt-less bulb holder :laughing:
Insert 10440 li-ion, No
after 5 min. make a nice Solitaire Candle:candle:
Beam shots compare to stock soli. stock to come after dark!
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