Best bulb for 4X123 Mag mod

davidra

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I've got a few with 3X123 running a GH24, which is a great light. If I cram another in there, what would be the best PR base bulb (or is there one?)
 

bwaites

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There really isn't one.

The Carley 1499 is also a great lamp for 3X123, but because 12 volts but less than 2 amps (the spot where 123's tend to start to really dive in output) is not very common, the only bulbs designed for them are Surefires M4 lamps and similar, at least as far as I can tell.

Bill
 

vhyper007

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hi davidra,

maybe i'm just lucky but i have a 1274 on top of 4x123 and it is absolutely awesome. the next may insta flash but this one is unbelievably blinding. it is in fivemega's 2 1/2c light. anybody who doesn't have one of these oughta get one.
regards,
vhyper
 

Ginseng

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Oh yes, the WA01274 is hot on 4x123. It's the 50% blow rate that dissaudes most folks from trying it.

The Carley 809 was a good bulb for the 4x123 setup.

Wilkey
 

Lurveleven

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I'm with Wilkey on this one, the 809 should be the one to go for, even though it will probably be slightly underdriven. Litho123 should have two of them left here. You will probably get about the same brightness as with the GH24 but with much better runtime.
If you could have used bi-pin bulbs, then you would have had more options, e.g. WA1306 and WA1328 and other 9.6V bulbs.

Sigbjoern
 

Krit

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I'm thinking about how to prevent reflector form heat. I would like to find good aluminam reflector for my mag2C too.
 

davidra

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Assuming I get a bipin slug, and will be running 4X123 (this would be ideal to keep in my boat with the longer runtime), and have the option of all the bulbs listed, which one would you favor?
 

litho123

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I have been using the potted 820 on 4x123 which is spec'd at

10.0v
0.80a
B-lumens @ 213
T-lumens @ 139

It's still on its first set of batts...doesn't get much use since the USL along with other lights have been around for testing.

If this is something you want to keep on a boat, I would recommend keeping away from the overdrive edge. Murphy's law says that when you need it most is when it will fail. Being stranded out on a lake without a light isn't fun.

There haven't really been any other good combos to work on 4x123 that I've seen ... then again, at the time I picked up this bulb my focus was more on runtime at a relatively decent brightness.
 

davidra

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Litho, what about the 809 mentioned above...is it underdriven enough to be moderately safe? If I can get an extended runtime and match the GH24 output with 3 123's I would be happy. I have several LED's on board also, but the 3X124/GH24 is a nice small form factor and still allows me to pick up channel markers at a distance.
 

Lurveleven

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If going bi-pin WA1306 would be the one I would prefer, and it is one of the bulbs easily available at the moment. From Silverfox's 123 test results I find that 4x123 will give a MPV of 10V when running this bulb, something which gives the following bulb numbers:
Bulb lumens = 282, Torch lumens = 183, Runtime = 60 minutes, Bulb life = 30 hours

If I needed more runtime, then the CA820, that Litho123 recommended, would be my choice.

Sigbjoern
 

davidra

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Litho sent me three bulbs, all potted; 808, 809, and an 820 to compare in a 4X124 Mag mod. Just got them today, and haven't had a chance for beamshots, but I've tried each of them in the wooded yard in comparison to a 3X123 running the GH24 Reflectlite. Both lights are using Borofloat lenses and Fivemega smooth reflectors, and both are in a 2C Mag host, one with a DSpeck extender to take the extra 123. Both lights are using new Battery Station 123's. Initial eyes-only eval:
Of these three bulbs, the 808 is the best thrower, the 820 next, and the 809 is almost identical to the GH24. The filament on the 820 is slightly more visible, and the 808 bulb seems to focus a little more tightly, which may provide the little extra throw. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me as the 808 and 809 filaments and bulbs look very similar. However, with all the trees around, it's harder to determine than on the water. It may be a few weeks before I can give that a try. I will say that the difference between the 808 and the GH24 is not huge at all, but I expect the runtime would be better with the 808?
 

litho123

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Hi Davidra -

The specs on the bulbs sent to you are as follows
Carley 808 specs
9.6v 1.20a
MSCP of 23 = 239 b-Lumens/188 t-lumens @ spec. Around 250 t-lumens on 4x123.
The bulb doesn't like too much overdrive and there were a few reported flashings from those testing it on 4x123. I never had any flash, but the bulb capsule blackend too quick for my liking. If you look closely, you'll see it on the sample I sent.


Carley 809 specs
10.5v 1.20a
MSCP of 25 = 314 b-Lumens/204t-Lumens @ spec
On 4 fresh 123 batteries it starts at spec, but is underdriven for most of its runtime. The Carley 809 really perks up on 4.5x123 in a 4C though. Doubling to a 2x4.5x123 stack then fits in a 3D and I've used it as a LOLA to the HOLA 1185. In the double stack confuration, the 809 gives around 2 hours of light and really is impressive.


Carley 820 specs
10.0v 0.80a
MSCP of 17 = 213 b-lumens/139 t-lumens @ spec. Just under 200 lumens on 4x123. At 8 watts, there are no heat problems so one is not required to upgrade the lens/reflector.


In terms of comparing runtimes, you'll want to look at the amps each bulb draws...the lower the amperage, the longer the runtime.

Here is the estimated runtime on 123 batteries...
the GH24 @ 1.70a = 33 minutes
Carley 808 @ 1.20a = 53 minutes
Carley 809 @ 1.20a = 53 minutes
Carley 820 @ 0.80a = 90 minutes

Can't wait to hear the results of your testing!
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