ViReN
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hello All,
I am glad to inform you that i have done my Second Official Mod. This one is for the very very famous Mini M-G Lite /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif using a SSC (Simple Switching Circuit)
Ok, Lets have some pictures first.....
Pic1: MiniM-G, Peak LED's McKinley 7 Led Hi-Power, The Circuit (very simple switching circuit) Assembly, etc...
Pic2:Assembly Complete, Note the LED's Outside, Hmm, this mod is not a Water Proof one /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif, but it has its own Advantages Also note the level of brightness of the surroundings.
Pic3: Twist ON the Light, Notice the surrounding, The camera settings are not changed. The light almost blinds the camera lense, hense appears darker
Pic4: Head ON with Peak LED's McKinley Hi-Power (Read Important Notice below ## ), Both are with FRESH batteries, in fact, the M@G's batteries are used to some extent (may be 1/2 Hr on the Stock bulb) where as, Peak Has NEW Duracell Ultra, opened up just from the pack
Pic5: What do you think ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Another Image, More Inclined towards the White Background. Which one is More Brighter & Whiter /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Lets talk about some details here....
Circuit Used : 2 2N3904 Switching DC-DC Converter, Operating at efficiency of 62% to 68% (depending upon the battery condition, yeah less according to CPF standards /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif hey..but wait... read further), Its Of Course a NON-Regulating Circuit. Uses PTH Components, Size Ristrictions prohibit me to use any additional components to make it regulating.
LED's Used: Six, Chi-Wings 15,000 MCD @ 20 mA 5mm. I am driving these LED's in 3S2P (3 in series, 2 such series in parallel) Configuration, Each LED is fed about 14mA to 15 mA (Not Over Driving at all)
<font color="red">Cost:</font> The MOST Important factor is the COST of the Whole thing. it is <font color="red">$6 Only</font> YEP /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif . <font color="CCCCCC">If there is Any interest for any members to get this Mod from Me, I will be making some more refinements mostly Cosmetic changes (proper glueing of PCB's, Potting of back portion to make it a more compact look, better PCB Quality, Yeah it is gonna increase in cost but it will be below $9 most likely assuming that i am earning $1.5 as a profit (out of which, from each Mod, $0.75 - $1 will go to CPF, as a personal support to CPF from my side. I have yet to talk / speak to Sasha in this regards, if such a thing is possible or not. So please bear this fact in mind.) .. Oh Shipping will be additional /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ... yet to calculate how much will it take to various parts of globe... any ways... lets see... </font> EDIT: Please Note that italic-grayed out content is really a gray matter. I in fact do not intend to market / sell or earn profit from this. My intent to post the cost-logistics here is that i just wanted to prove that things can be "Brighter" & "Lighter" in terms of cost & ofcourse "Simpler" too.... also, I wanted to post that such a thing is also possible for M-G Lite... I am not aware of any MOD Available for more than 5 LED's /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ... may be this could give some manufacturer a idea... for editing this content, i have not been asked to do so by anyone. I just realized a few things and thats why this editing. The best thing is, Its just my second mod... and i am happy that i was able to do it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ... I will still keep this thread updated for the runtime test + Efficiency @ various voltage & Other Technical aspects.
It would be better if we discuss some Disadvantages & Advantages of this MOD
Disadvantages First /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
1) No Security for LED's, they are exposed, Cant keep em inside Coz no space inside /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
2) Chi-Wing LED's are Nice, White, Snow BUT Not all 15,000 MCD LED's have same characteristics. I have noted that out of these 6, 1 was slightly Yelloish in color, 1 was slightly dimmer. (this is a fact, please note this). I do not have any control over this.
3) The Third and the Biggest Disadvantage is there is NO Regulation.
4) NOT Water Proof (though it is water resistant) it SURE is NOT submersible.
Now Advantages /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
1) Cheapest by cost /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif (ok, you will get some other complete LED flashlights below $6 (Cheap Chinese ones), so please dont say that. its Cheapest MiniM-G Mod.. fine now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )
2) Even though it is not regulating, my priliminary test's shown that it had lasted for about 12 - 16 hours of usable light on Fresh AA Alkalines. (I Am yet to do a proper Graph, awaiting for my "Light-Meter")
3) BRIGHTER than the Peak LED's Mc-Kinley 7 LED Light.
## - Important Notice: See, I do not have anything against Peak LED's Lights, I use it every day (thats why i had to change battery before taking pictures /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ), its sweet little light & is BRIGHT to a very good extent. I like it very very much. Since I do not have a Proper Light Meter, I cannot measure exact CD Rating for my Mod. This renders me to compare it with the Known Light. Please remember this fact.
4) Strange but True: The efficiency increases as the battery goes down !!! (will post detailed graph of Time V/S Currents V/S Efficiency V/S Relative Brightness) I am also currently in a process of building a PS to test these kind of circuits for various voltage & Current levels.... probably i will try to mimic the battery so as to give more realistic graphs.
EDIT: Added
5) I Did run this light for atleast 1 hour, there was NO Heat Trouble. The Circuit & LED's simple dont get warm at all !!!... however, the transistors & inductor was slightly... very very slightly warm. This was not the case with Peak's light (that i have) (as compared) ... it gets HOT in 3-5 Minutes !!!!!!!!! (is this normal with Peak's Mc-Kinley 7 LED Hi-Power ???)
Comments & Suggestions are Welcome, Cheers & Jeers also welcome /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I will be updating this to add some action plots too...
EDIT: Added I also forgot to mention a few more things. These things come up here last, but they are the very first and important things. I am very thankful to everyone who has helped me in understanding the principles of switching and other various important aspects as regards to improving efficiency etc etc.... There are a loads of special mentions to Mr Al, NewBie, Doug Owen ... and Every one else (if names are not specifically mentioned.. dosent mean that i am not thankful to you guys) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif i am ... and from the bottom of my heart .... to everyone who has helped me, guided me, supported me...
Thanks & Regards,
ViReN
I am glad to inform you that i have done my Second Official Mod. This one is for the very very famous Mini M-G Lite /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif using a SSC (Simple Switching Circuit)
Ok, Lets have some pictures first.....
Pic1: MiniM-G, Peak LED's McKinley 7 Led Hi-Power, The Circuit (very simple switching circuit) Assembly, etc...
Pic2:Assembly Complete, Note the LED's Outside, Hmm, this mod is not a Water Proof one /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif, but it has its own Advantages Also note the level of brightness of the surroundings.
Pic3: Twist ON the Light, Notice the surrounding, The camera settings are not changed. The light almost blinds the camera lense, hense appears darker
Pic4: Head ON with Peak LED's McKinley Hi-Power (Read Important Notice below ## ), Both are with FRESH batteries, in fact, the M@G's batteries are used to some extent (may be 1/2 Hr on the Stock bulb) where as, Peak Has NEW Duracell Ultra, opened up just from the pack
Pic5: What do you think ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Another Image, More Inclined towards the White Background. Which one is More Brighter & Whiter /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Lets talk about some details here....
Circuit Used : 2 2N3904 Switching DC-DC Converter, Operating at efficiency of 62% to 68% (depending upon the battery condition, yeah less according to CPF standards /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif hey..but wait... read further), Its Of Course a NON-Regulating Circuit. Uses PTH Components, Size Ristrictions prohibit me to use any additional components to make it regulating.
LED's Used: Six, Chi-Wings 15,000 MCD @ 20 mA 5mm. I am driving these LED's in 3S2P (3 in series, 2 such series in parallel) Configuration, Each LED is fed about 14mA to 15 mA (Not Over Driving at all)
<font color="red">Cost:</font> The MOST Important factor is the COST of the Whole thing. it is <font color="red">$6 Only</font> YEP /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif . <font color="CCCCCC">If there is Any interest for any members to get this Mod from Me, I will be making some more refinements mostly Cosmetic changes (proper glueing of PCB's, Potting of back portion to make it a more compact look, better PCB Quality, Yeah it is gonna increase in cost but it will be below $9 most likely assuming that i am earning $1.5 as a profit (out of which, from each Mod, $0.75 - $1 will go to CPF, as a personal support to CPF from my side. I have yet to talk / speak to Sasha in this regards, if such a thing is possible or not. So please bear this fact in mind.) .. Oh Shipping will be additional /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ... yet to calculate how much will it take to various parts of globe... any ways... lets see... </font> EDIT: Please Note that italic-grayed out content is really a gray matter. I in fact do not intend to market / sell or earn profit from this. My intent to post the cost-logistics here is that i just wanted to prove that things can be "Brighter" & "Lighter" in terms of cost & ofcourse "Simpler" too.... also, I wanted to post that such a thing is also possible for M-G Lite... I am not aware of any MOD Available for more than 5 LED's /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ... may be this could give some manufacturer a idea... for editing this content, i have not been asked to do so by anyone. I just realized a few things and thats why this editing. The best thing is, Its just my second mod... and i am happy that i was able to do it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ... I will still keep this thread updated for the runtime test + Efficiency @ various voltage & Other Technical aspects.
It would be better if we discuss some Disadvantages & Advantages of this MOD
Disadvantages First /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
1) No Security for LED's, they are exposed, Cant keep em inside Coz no space inside /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
2) Chi-Wing LED's are Nice, White, Snow BUT Not all 15,000 MCD LED's have same characteristics. I have noted that out of these 6, 1 was slightly Yelloish in color, 1 was slightly dimmer. (this is a fact, please note this). I do not have any control over this.
3) The Third and the Biggest Disadvantage is there is NO Regulation.
4) NOT Water Proof (though it is water resistant) it SURE is NOT submersible.
Now Advantages /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
1) Cheapest by cost /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif (ok, you will get some other complete LED flashlights below $6 (Cheap Chinese ones), so please dont say that. its Cheapest MiniM-G Mod.. fine now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )
2) Even though it is not regulating, my priliminary test's shown that it had lasted for about 12 - 16 hours of usable light on Fresh AA Alkalines. (I Am yet to do a proper Graph, awaiting for my "Light-Meter")
3) BRIGHTER than the Peak LED's Mc-Kinley 7 LED Light.
## - Important Notice: See, I do not have anything against Peak LED's Lights, I use it every day (thats why i had to change battery before taking pictures /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ), its sweet little light & is BRIGHT to a very good extent. I like it very very much. Since I do not have a Proper Light Meter, I cannot measure exact CD Rating for my Mod. This renders me to compare it with the Known Light. Please remember this fact.
4) Strange but True: The efficiency increases as the battery goes down !!! (will post detailed graph of Time V/S Currents V/S Efficiency V/S Relative Brightness) I am also currently in a process of building a PS to test these kind of circuits for various voltage & Current levels.... probably i will try to mimic the battery so as to give more realistic graphs.
EDIT: Added
5) I Did run this light for atleast 1 hour, there was NO Heat Trouble. The Circuit & LED's simple dont get warm at all !!!... however, the transistors & inductor was slightly... very very slightly warm. This was not the case with Peak's light (that i have) (as compared) ... it gets HOT in 3-5 Minutes !!!!!!!!! (is this normal with Peak's Mc-Kinley 7 LED Hi-Power ???)
Comments & Suggestions are Welcome, Cheers & Jeers also welcome /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I will be updating this to add some action plots too...
EDIT: Added I also forgot to mention a few more things. These things come up here last, but they are the very first and important things. I am very thankful to everyone who has helped me in understanding the principles of switching and other various important aspects as regards to improving efficiency etc etc.... There are a loads of special mentions to Mr Al, NewBie, Doug Owen ... and Every one else (if names are not specifically mentioned.. dosent mean that i am not thankful to you guys) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif i am ... and from the bottom of my heart .... to everyone who has helped me, guided me, supported me...
Thanks & Regards,
ViReN