Panasonic 14.4 Volt Torch with XM-L Emitter?

peterharvey73 · Jan 25, 2012

I have a Panasonic cordless drill and flashlight combo powered by superb Panasonic Mn Co Li 14.4 Volt rechargeable battery, with a massive 3.3 AH capacity.
My model actually has slightly more AH capacity than the photograph below.
The battery's internal resistance is probably very low, in order to deliver a high current necessary for cordless power tools.

The flashlight has a huge 89mm bezel diameter to contain a massive reflector.
The flashlight isn't that nice to hold in the hand, because it's very bottom heavy; it is more or less designed to stand on the floor, or on a table top etc.
The Panasonic flashlight currently uses a krypton bulb.

Does anyone know how to substitute the krypton bulb for an XM-L emitter, to take advantage of that superb Mn Co Li 14.4 volt battery with a massive 3.3 AH capacity, the 89mm bezel diameter reflector, and that superb stand?

Lynx_Arc · Jan 25, 2012

You would have to either custom mod it or look on ebay for a drop in. Most likely they won't be XM-L either as drop ins for such things are usually not on the bleeding edge of output and quality but more mid range and functionality with questionable performance.

jorn · Jan 25, 2012

It cant be driven hard in a plastic host.

Lynx_Arc · Jan 25, 2012

jorn said:
It cant be driven hard in a plastic host.

probably not too hard unless it had a massive heat sink in it

peterharvey73 · Jan 26, 2012

Would something like this simply drop into the Panasonic flashlight, just by removing it's krypton bulb, and replacing it with this bulb?
This bulb can apparently handle 3V to 18V.
No other modifications to the electronic circuitry is required?

Quote:
Solarforce LC-XPG R5 CREE LED bulb 340 lumens single mode
This solarforce drop-in LED lamp assembly fits straight into your 6P / 9P style torch (ie. many of the common ones, including the Solarforce L2 range and Ultrafire WF-50X range). Upgrade that last generation torch to get the more performance and runtime.The module works with a range of input voltages because of the built in constant current circuitry, so it's very versatile and can be used with a wide variety of battery types and voltages.

P60 dropin fits any surefire 6P / 9P style torches as well as C2/D2/G2/G2Z/M2/Z2
Also compatible with Solarforce L2, L2P, L2r, L2i, L2T, L2m
Module consists of a CREE XP-G LED and an aluminum reflector
R5 binned LED for an output of 340 lumens max
Working voltage of 3V to 18V
Single mode bulb.

Lynx_Arc · Jan 26, 2012

no that would not just "drop in" you would have to modify it to fit and it won't be nothing easily done most likely. Those modules also expect a metal host for heatsinking purposes so without one you cannot drive it to its full potential without possible risk of burning things up.

peterharvey73 · Jan 26, 2012

Wow, upgrading this Panasonic isn't easy.
I did more research, and it actually already has a Xenon bulb 14.4 volts and 0.55 amps.
Apparently, krypton bulbs last longer, but are not as bright.
Meanwhile, with xenon bulbs, it is the gas that illuminates, therefore it is brighter than krypton, but doesn't last as long durability wise.

Then I stumbled across this 14.4 volt LED bulb for Makita, Bosch, Hitachi, Black & Decker, Craftsman, Milwaukee, and De Walt flashlights on eBay!
In the photograph, it looks like a straight easy fit!

However, the instructions below the bulb confuse me - citing that it is not as bright as a xenon bulb at the same voltage???
But my xenon bulb is so warm, dark and candle-like.
And the ad below does claim the LED bulb has a white light...

Product intro:

LED BULB FOR MAKITA BOSCH HITACHI DEWALT FLASH 14.4V.
LED technology, low power rate, increae battery life.
Bulb life of 100,000 hours, save battery and money.
standand P13.5 base(Base Diameter 9.1mm), easy to replace.
Automatically regulates voltage can fit 6V-15.6V.
Fits most work lights, including:
Bosch , Milwaukee, Makita, Black and Decker Fire Storm DeWalt, Ryobi FLASHLIGHT, Craftsmane, Hitachi.
**We sell brand new replacement/compatible LED bulbs that are manufactured to meet or exceed the specifications of the original brand manufacturer.
**Please note, LED bulb will NOT as bright as Xenon bulb at same voltage.

Technical Specifications:

Bulb Type : LED(P13.5 base)
Voltage :14.4V
Lumen :75-80 Lumen
Light Color :white
Current :0.2 Amp
Dimension :28mm(Height ) X 9.1mm(Diameter)
Product Type :Replacement (Brand New)
Weight :1 g per item

Lynx_Arc · Jan 26, 2012

The problem with PR base drop ins is they typically have limited heatsinking which greatly restricts the current that the emitter can be driven at as they cannot depend on the construction of the bulb holder to be a good heat transfer many of which are plastic instead of metal and don't transfer heat well. Most of the time people that upgrade these drill motor light accessories want more light with less power and that typically requires you yanking out the whole light engine (bulb, reflector, socket, holder, etc) and designing from scratch a heatsink, reflector/optics, driver, and holder/positioner. This can be done but is not something that is a 1 hour job nor on the level a novice can do it but more akin to someone familiar with modding lights already.
In other words either learn to mod, or buy a light that uses an XM-L by working a few extra hours to make the money with the time and expense of redesigning the light engine of this one.

peterharvey73 · Jan 27, 2012

Thanks for your help Lynx Arc; greatly appreciated.
I will have to think about posting it on another part of this forum to have it modded by someone else.
Do you know which part of the forum specialises in modding these lights?

Lynx_Arc · Jan 27, 2012

peterharvey73 said:
Thanks for your help Lynx Arc; greatly appreciated.
I will have to think about posting it on another part of this forum to have it modded by someone else.
Do you know which part of the forum specialises in modding these lights?

You could try the custom and modified flashlights area on this forum.

peterharvey73 · Feb 16, 2012

I just purchased one of these simple LED bulbs for $18.99 including postage.
It delivers a nice white tinted beam.
However, the hotspot is tiny compared to an XP-G, let alone an XM-L emitter.
However tiny, the hotspot is intensely white and bright.
Compared to my SC600, the Panasonic 14.4 volt with LED bulb lack flood, but it has a tremendous amount of throw!
I actually out-throws my SC600; easily.
It reminds me of an LED Maglite - tremendous throw, but little flood.
However, this is supposed to be a light for a building and handyman purposes.
We'd want flood for close up work; not long distance throw?
Yet Panasonic made the bezel diameter a whopping 89mm for excellent throw, but actually drastically diminishing it's flood as a result of the big reflector!
I don't think Panasonic really knew what they were doing when they engineered this light.
Or the engineers who engineered this light were not proper flashlight engineers.
Nevermind, at least the Panasonic with LED bulb has a nice cool tint now...

Lynx_Arc · Feb 16, 2012

peterharvey73 said:
I just purchased one of these simple LED bulbs for $18.99 including postage.
It delivers a nice white tinted beam.
However, the hotspot is tiny compared to an XP-G, let alone an XM-L emitter.
However tiny, the hotspot is intensely white and bright.
Compared to my SC600, the Panasonic 14.4 volt with LED bulb lack flood, but it has a tremendous amount of throw!
I actually out-throws my SC600; easily.
It reminds me of an LED Maglite - tremendous throw, but little flood.
However, this is supposed to be a light for a building and handyman purposes.
We'd want flood for close up work; not long distance throw?
Yet Panasonic made the bezel diameter a whopping 89mm for excellent throw, but actually drastically diminishing it's flood as a result of the big reflector!
I don't think Panasonic really knew what they were doing when they engineered this light.
Or the engineers who engineered this light were not proper flashlight engineers.
Nevermind, at least the Panasonic with LED bulb has a nice cool tint now...

About the only things you can do with the excessive throw/hotspot is to either defocus the light by
loosening the reflector or try some diffusion film you can get it from several place in the marketplace for
around $1.50 or so a sheet.

peterharvey73 · Feb 16, 2012

That's very clever thinking.
I'll try that...

Norm · Feb 16, 2012

Try reading some of the threads in this search,

Particularly: 2 Custom Ryobi 18volt flashlights

You should at least get some ideas.

Norm

peterharvey73 · Feb 17, 2012

Thanks for that link Norm - quite amazing how they mod it...

Panasonic 14.4 Volt Torch with XM-L Emitter?

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