MagLite Solitaire LED Upgrade Mod

[scion]

I have some MagLite Solitaire Flashlights sitting around, i decided to order some LEDs to mod these! =D

I ordered a ton of LEDs and I will be mass producing a little "kit" for them and going to list them on ebay or sell on forums, etc.

I think its really great touch to the Solitaire since MagLite does not offer an LED upgrade for them. Its not very difficult.

I ordered some really really bright LEDs so i hope they do the trick.
Once I get this going i'll post some more pics, i dont have the LEDs yet, since they are being shipped at the moment.

Here are my test Dummies! =D



 

[jeffd]

Speaking of flashlights, look what i just ordered

 

[Eku]

Hmmm.

So there 3mm leds by the look of it.
I'd be interested if they were p7 leds >!!!!!!!

Still interesting.

 

[jeffd]

Scion what are the measurements of inside the solitaires? Maybe you could fit a brighter emitter in there from deal extreme DealExtreme: Flashlight DIY Parts & Tools (Page 1)

 

[scion]

Yes, even 5mm fit with little reflector modding. I got these for dirt cheap LOL. So if they aren't good enough for me ill buy higher power LEDs. I'm trying not to modify the flashlight itself. Then go from there. There will be many versions if this mod oncebi complete this one

 

[scion]

Idk if p7 led would fit. I didn't want to spend the money to find out LOL. I got some 15,000 mcd LEDs for $0.12 a piece so I'm gonna try these first. I don't know if there is a market for this mod upgrade or not. If there is I might invest little more but for now I'm sticking with the 3mm ad possibly try out 3 or 4 3mm in one solitaire.

 

[scion]

I got some supplies today, starting on the Battery build.
Still waiting on all the LEDs and Resistors to arrive, im afraid that may take a week or so. I didnt realize i ordered them from HONG KONG! lol. Great deal, long shipping..

Nonetheless, I'll get some more pics up soon.

 

[nikokapo]

I ordered a ton of LEDs and I will be mass producing a little "kit" for them and going to list them on ebay or sell on forums, etc.

Thanks for saying that before I asked the question

Too bad they're too small for a Q5 or P7.

I'll be waiting for this mod, looks cool and small!

(Hope it doesn't use weird cell batts.).

 

[scion]

Thanks for saying that before I asked the question

Too bad they're too small for a Q5 or P7.

I'll be waiting for this mod, looks cool and small!

(Hope it doesn't use weird cell batts.).

I agree, would be sweet to put one in these!!
You can do up to (3) 5mm LEDs but it involves modding the reflector and the size of the LEDs themselves in order to fit, and even then, people have had issues with them turning on and off.

I'm going to safest route possible with the easiest mod possible as well. This way, anyone who buys them wont have to modify their mag, they simple swap out bulb, and battery with led and battery with spacer/resistor.

As a matter of fact, does use weird cell batteries... Here are the cells I took out of a MN21/23 Battery. And the cells joined.

Here are some test results for the batteries.

The LEDs i'm using are rated at 3.0~3.6v per LED.
The cell batteries have 9ohm resistors built in, and i'm also adding a resistor built into the spacer.

The voltage from the batteries is roughly 1.50~1.60 in one single cell.

Two cells were about 3.2v Which would be reasonable voltage, however, having the resistors, I can add an additional cell battery to help pro-long the life of the battery, and essentially more power without (hopefully) killing the LED. I'll have it tested for quality once the LEDs arrive.

So with 3 cells, I was able to collect a rather higher voltage but still, from what I believe to be, in the safe zone. I think with the resistors this shouldnt be a problem.

 

[nikokapo]

I hate cell batteries, seriously... I have to go around the world to get the exact model I need for X apparatus.
I too think 4,6v is a little overkill but maybe those diodes can handle it, I haven't seen them yet.

Cool stuff, keep it up

 

[scion]

I hate cell batteries, seriously... I have to go around the world to get the exact model I need for X apparatus.
I too think 4,6v is a little overkill but maybe those diodes can handle it, I haven't seen them yet.

Cool stuff, keep it up

Imgoing to test both 2 cell and 3 cell. I thnk 3 cell will be perfect because the cells each have a 9 ohm resistor and I'm also adding one. So I don't think he LED will see those voltages.

If your interested in getting one, I will be able to ship you extra batteries.

 

[nikokapo]

I'll have to see the final price and amount of power (in lux, lumens) you achieve with it. A client of mine was looking for a cheap & powerful (like we all want ) pocket flashlight so I'm letting him know about this project.

 

[scion]

I'll have to see the final price and amount of power (in lux, lumens) you achieve with it. A client of mine was looking for a cheap & powerful (like we all want ) pocket flashlight so I'm letting him know about this project.

The luminous intensity of these 3mm LEDs are 15,000mcd

I've heard of using 5mm LEDs that are 26,000mcd
I may attempt the 5mm mod also, but it requires the reflector being filed to fit the LED.

 

[nikokapo]

The luminous intensity of these 3mm LEDs are 15,000mcd

I've heard of using 5mm LEDs that are 26,000mcd
I may attempt the 5mm mod also, but it requires the reflector being filed to fit the LED.

Yeah but remember you're gonna use it at a higher voltage, you may get a higher output.

 

[scion]

The luminous intensity of these 3mm LEDs are 15,000mcd

I've heard of using 5mm LEDs that are 26,000mcd
I may attempt the 5mm mod also, but it requires the reflector being filed to fit the LED.

that could be in question because of few things.
The LED rated to handle 3.0~3.6v
The button batteries together make 4.5v
However, each the 3 button batteries has 9ohm resistor and I'm also adding a resistor. So it may get less than 4v

We will see, but hopefully it achieves 15,000 or greater! Sure has enough voltage! LOL

 

[scion]

Today I picked up some really cheezy LEDs from RadioShack. I dont like them, they look really low quality...

But its only for testing until i get the packages of LEDs i've ordered. I got too anxious, shipping from Hong Kong to US takes too long lol.

I'll post up more pics soon.