Maglite AAA Mods?

I was just wondering if anyone has modified these little lights into something better, such as utilizing LED modules, or turning them into a single cell light, or both. If so, would any pictures be available? Thanks in advance!

JK

http://www.molalla.net/~leeper/mag_soli.jpg

http://www.molalla.net/~leeper/luxaaa.jpg

Some photos of the mod:




More:
http://www.molalla.net/~leeper/solinar.jpg
http://www.molalla.net/~leeper/soliwide.jpg
http://www.molalla.net/~leeper/solib1.jpg

First haywire proto made under naked eye without magnification, looks really sloppy, and my hands had just been operated on (you try soldering something that small when you have hands wrapped up after surgery...):
http://www.molalla.net/~leeper/sminver.jpg

That was a Solitaire mod, but was JediKnife asking about the 2 AAA Maglite? I'd be interested in a mod for those if someone could come up with a good, easy one. I think the last one I saw was from LED mods As Small As Possible and it wasn't easy for him to do it so I'm not about to try.

NewBe.....If you can, change the size of your pics please....they're running off the side of the screen.

Look here for a drop-in mod for the AAA MiniMag.

Mattman: I've done a simple 2AA Maglite mod using LEDdynamics's 2009 micropuck driver, a 1W emmiter, kroll tailcap, Fraen optic, and Arctic alumina epoxy (for heatsinking). You can find all this stuff except for the 2009 at http://secure3.dnsaction.com/~anlighte/shop/default.php?osCsid=dcae41e7c83f6d86eeaa20abff38d0a4 and the 2009 at http://elektrolumens.com/. This took me about 1.5 hours to solder and glue together, and it puts out alot of light. You can still use the Maglite in 'candle ode', too.

Hey folks! check the title of the post again....he's asking about AAA MiniMags...that's three A's! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/poke2.gif

Thanks guys for all the replies. I was originally looking for AAA mods (such as the drop in mentioned by Roy), but the solitaire pics and other information still make for great information. Remember the Mini Mini Mag? It would be cool to see a Mini Mini Mini Mag (one cell AAA Mag)! I know the Solitaire is a single cell AAA light, but the 2 cell has the bigger reflector and all. Anyway, thanks again!

JK

NewBie,

I also read your another post (Re: They are back- Microlux Luxeon Solitaire lights!). I am very impressed by your mod, focusable, candle mode, etc.

Recently I just finished a CMG Infinity mod and I am planning to mod my 15 years old Solitaire. I want it being like yours. But I can't figure out from your pics how you structure the part emitter/heatsink, fixing it onto to the tube. For sure it is not like "LED mods As Small As Possible" mod because his mod couldn't be candle mode, nor a drop in sandwich like Ill Pill. I guess your design is similar to tonyb's Microlux Luxeon Solitaire light. Differences are you remove those "black plastic component", put the circuit components inside the tube and make two pins for the emitter +/- post. But how do you connect them to the circuit? Can you give me some hint?

The other issue is the heatsink problem, in turn-on position, any design like tonyb's mod will make the emitter base board(heatsink) discontact with the tube. That means the emitter can't use the flash body as a heatsink. And it means we can't drive the emitter too hard. Right?

The last question is you mention that your circuit is high efficiency, how do you compare it with the Zetex circuit? I always wondering how the Zetex circuit that is widely used performs compare with such as Madmax, Badboy, Ill Pill and yours. I wonder because I can buy a flash with a Zetex built in with about 1/3 to 1/2 of the prize to buy one such sandwich, and I can easily mod that Zetex circuit to drive harder. There must be some difference.

The emitter is mounted on a copper slug, wires pass down to the board below. The copper slug is cemented to the body with thermal epoxy.

Look at the datasheet charts for the TPS61020 for the efficiency curves. Hint: Use as big of an inductor as you can possibly fit, with the lowest DC resistance. Order several different ones, as it is hard to predict AC losses from the ferrite, and test them all in circuit, pick the one that gives the highest efficiency. Also consider issues of using an unshielded inductor next to an aluminum body, think of eddy current losses and more.