Kenom
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- Joined
- May 4, 2007
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Recently Maglight has taken it upon themselves to move over to the world of Luxeons and have made a production flashlight I'm sure we've all seen that includes a 3 watt Luxeon running off 2 or 3 AA batteries. Most of the light modifications I'm doing are converting flashlights into lasers. So I picked up one of these maglites with the intent of checking it's usability as a laser mod. The journey there is interesting and I'd like to share with you all over here on the light side the modification I've done. (I did not use this as a laser and don't think it's going to be an easy mod but it can be done.)
Obviously, in order to utilize a luxeon led, you need to have some kind of current regulation. To keep the led at a consistent output current wise regardless of battery condition. So, I figured the regulator in there may be putting out right around where I need it to use for a laser. Well, it doesn't! Oh it's regulated alright. But the regulator is running 650ma at exactly 3v. In regards to current regulation for a Luxeon 3 watt, it's a bit weak. If I remember correctly the 3 watt could handle 750ma Nicely. Now there isn't much heatsink under the LED so I'm sure Maglight figured that into the equation. (thankfully it's not a K2! and it's heat generating horridness) I've recently been shown the cree Q5 and would like to see if this is going to be a reasonable swap for the 3 watt led in it.
1. the reflector. Nice long reflector for those nice tight beams.
2. the driver and light.
The beam (first as powered on spot)
Middle of the road (flood/spot)
Head almost off (flood)
I'm pretty impressed with this light. It's more powerfull brightness wise than any of the dorcy's I've got (not that they are all that bright) but they are sure bright for me. Having 3 batteries means longer run time and I like the feel of the mini mag that is a big longer like the larger D sized maglights. I'm no flashaholic but the beam looks good tight and starts to turn to crap after the thing goes to flood.
I've no doubt I could put a cree p4 in this and not have too many issues. The hardest would be trying to come up with some means of heatsinking it so that I don't cook the light while trying to make it brighter.
So, there is my ramblings. Hope it benefits someone. I know it was fun to open it up and figure it's inner workings.
Obviously, in order to utilize a luxeon led, you need to have some kind of current regulation. To keep the led at a consistent output current wise regardless of battery condition. So, I figured the regulator in there may be putting out right around where I need it to use for a laser. Well, it doesn't! Oh it's regulated alright. But the regulator is running 650ma at exactly 3v. In regards to current regulation for a Luxeon 3 watt, it's a bit weak. If I remember correctly the 3 watt could handle 750ma Nicely. Now there isn't much heatsink under the LED so I'm sure Maglight figured that into the equation. (thankfully it's not a K2! and it's heat generating horridness) I've recently been shown the cree Q5 and would like to see if this is going to be a reasonable swap for the 3 watt led in it.
1. the reflector. Nice long reflector for those nice tight beams.
2. the driver and light.
The beam (first as powered on spot)
Middle of the road (flood/spot)
Head almost off (flood)
I'm pretty impressed with this light. It's more powerfull brightness wise than any of the dorcy's I've got (not that they are all that bright) but they are sure bright for me. Having 3 batteries means longer run time and I like the feel of the mini mag that is a big longer like the larger D sized maglights. I'm no flashaholic but the beam looks good tight and starts to turn to crap after the thing goes to flood.
I've no doubt I could put a cree p4 in this and not have too many issues. The hardest would be trying to come up with some means of heatsinking it so that I don't cook the light while trying to make it brighter.
So, there is my ramblings. Hope it benefits someone. I know it was fun to open it up and figure it's inner workings.
