I have decided I want to modify my minimag 2xAA light. I had been looking at a new light but i think i could get more out of a modification than a new light for the price. I've got an idea of what i want to do but have a few questions and figured it would be a good idea to see what people think to see if I am way off the mark. I am good with electronics and can solder but I lack in tools (I have a drill and calipers but not a dremmel or lathe).
My current plan involves:
Keep the same nimh batteries, reflector/head.
LED: cree MX-L T5 (on a 14mm wafer) from cutter.com.au or shinningbeam (since it looks like i would get drivers from there)
Driver:
14mm 1 AA. would run the batteries in parallel (some how?) or 1 battery and 1 blank
http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-176/**NEW**-3-dsh-Mode-Regulated-Circuit/Detail
OR
15mm would have to shave it down to the 14.5 ID of the light, would test it with 2XAA and see if it was a constant blink or only on turn on.
http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-252/**NEW**--3-dsh-Mode-Regulated/Detail
Heatsink: something custom, fitting in the front of the body of the light.
Switch: might try to keep the original mechanism (if i can get the HS the size it needs to be and the right spacers) or change to a push button on the back end (haven't looked in to this yet).
so my questions:
1) answered in another thread http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?313104-driver-wiring-and-the-battery-connections
With the above drivers, the wires are for the LED, but I'm not 100% where the battery connects. the drivers pictured above have components on one side and the other has a large circle with a larger outer ring, are these the battery contacts? if so am I right in assuming the positive is the inside and the negative the outside?
pic:
http://www.shiningbeam.com/media/00/a20792a12cb2968f3712e4_m.jpg
2) considering i want to run around 1000ma to the LED and fit the driver in a 14.5mm body, is there any other drivers you would recommend for 1xAA or 2xAA?
As I said, I am open to suggestions and advise. If anyone has a driver they would recommend or supplier or something I'm all ears.
My current plan involves:
Keep the same nimh batteries, reflector/head.
LED: cree MX-L T5 (on a 14mm wafer) from cutter.com.au or shinningbeam (since it looks like i would get drivers from there)
Driver:
14mm 1 AA. would run the batteries in parallel (some how?) or 1 battery and 1 blank
http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-176/**NEW**-3-dsh-Mode-Regulated-Circuit/Detail
OR
15mm would have to shave it down to the 14.5 ID of the light, would test it with 2XAA and see if it was a constant blink or only on turn on.
http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-252/**NEW**--3-dsh-Mode-Regulated/Detail
Heatsink: something custom, fitting in the front of the body of the light.
Switch: might try to keep the original mechanism (if i can get the HS the size it needs to be and the right spacers) or change to a push button on the back end (haven't looked in to this yet).
so my questions:
1) answered in another thread http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?313104-driver-wiring-and-the-battery-connections
With the above drivers, the wires are for the LED, but I'm not 100% where the battery connects. the drivers pictured above have components on one side and the other has a large circle with a larger outer ring, are these the battery contacts? if so am I right in assuming the positive is the inside and the negative the outside?
pic:
http://www.shiningbeam.com/media/00/a20792a12cb2968f3712e4_m.jpg
2) considering i want to run around 1000ma to the LED and fit the driver in a 14.5mm body, is there any other drivers you would recommend for 1xAA or 2xAA?
As I said, I am open to suggestions and advise. If anyone has a driver they would recommend or supplier or something I'm all ears.
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