Are there any LED mods/replacements for 6 D cell(9.0v) maglites? Update: HSN cancelled order

[Eli]

So I just picked up a 6 D cell maglite thanks to ATHD for $16 and change shipped.

I know some of you frequent the flashlight boards more than I. I've been googling, but comming up empty handed.

I guess at the worst, I could use one of the 4 Cell bulbs(6.0v), use rechargable batteries (1.2v each), and use a dummy spacer cell.(1.2x5=6v).

hm.

Edit: Hmm, found some Luxeon solutions, but they're in Europe... and spendy.Well, that sucks...

We're sorry, we were unable to complete your order listed below. Unfortunately, HSN did not receive enough of this product to fulfill your order. The order has been cancelled.

:Q:frown:

 

[ScoobMaster]

Have you posted this question over at:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ?

I'm sure the "Flash-a-holics" there will have some interesting ideas!

 

[Insane3D]

I'm wondering why if the LED replacement bulbs I've seen work on the 2 or 3 cell Maglite's, why they wouldn't work on the 6 cell one.

Edit:

I need to find a LED replacement for the Maglite myself...but a normal 3 cell one. Hey...get in on that hot deal Eli?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I'm wondering why if the LED replacement bulbs I've seen work on the 2 or 3 cell Maglite's, why they wouldn't work on the 6 cell one.

I noticed that and was confused as well.. Maybe the bulb is specced all the way to 9.0v or something.

But basically, LEDs require specific voltages and currents.. If you go over spec, they aren't very forgiving.. So there is usually some simple electronics in the circuit with the LED.

Since the components in the circuit need to change depending on the input voltage, this necessitates a need for different models.

Since cells in a flashlight are in series, as you add cells.. voltage goes up.

1 cell = 1.5v
2 cells = 3.0v
4 cells = 6.0v
6 cells = 9.0v

A 1 Watt Luxeon Star LED requires 3.42v @ 350mA(max).

That means, with a supply voltage of 9.0v, I would need a 16 Ohm resistor in the circuit with the LED.

With a 4 cell flashlight, you would only need an ~8 Ohm resistor.

 

[Eli]

Well, browsing the good ole 'Net some more, it does indeed appear that the different numbered cell flashlights DO take different bulbs.

I wonder if we both saw the same page... I think it was a page selling knockoff bulbs or something, I don't know.

2 cell = Manufacturer Item #: LWSA201
3 cell = Manufacturer Item #: LWSA301
4 cell = Manufacturer Item #: LWSA401
5 cell = Manufacturer Item #: LWSA501
6 cell = Manufacturer Item #: LWSA601


2 cell bulb = 18 lumens
3 cell = 39 lumens
4 cell = 59 lumens
5 cell = 83 lumens
6 cell = 106 lumens

 

[Insane3D]

I think I'm going to get that 3W, 75lumens replacement.

2 weeks on 24/7 is pretty damn sweet too! :Q

:thumbsup:

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I think I'm going to get that 3W, 75lumens replacement.

2 weeks on 24/7 is pretty damn sweet too! :Q

:thumbsup:

Bastard..

Finding cheap solutions to the 6D maglite seems to be a challenge.

The 5W would be nice, but it's 75 bucks.

 

[ScoobMaster]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I think I'm going to get that 3W, 75lumens replacement.

2 weeks on 24/7 is pretty damn sweet too! :Q

:thumbsup:

Hmmm,

I wonder if this would fit my 3-D cell Brinkmann (mag look-alike)

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: ScoobMaster

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I think I'm going to get that 3W, 75lumens replacement.

2 weeks on 24/7 is pretty damn sweet too! :Q

:thumbsup:

Hmmm,

I wonder if this would fit my 3-D cell Brinkmann (mag look-alike)

Will a Maglite bulb work in your Brinkman?

 

[WhiteKnight]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I think I'm going to get that 3W, 75lumens replacement.

2 weeks on 24/7 is pretty damn sweet too! :Q

:thumbsup:

Bastard..

Finding cheap solutions to the 6D maglite seems to be a challenge.

The 5W would be nice, but it's 75 bucks.

Watch out for those Diamond 5W LEDs with the Fraen lenses. Some people on candlepowerforums have reported problems.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: WhiteKnight

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I think I'm going to get that 3W, 75lumens replacement.

2 weeks on 24/7 is pretty damn sweet too! :Q

:thumbsup:

Bastard..

Finding cheap solutions to the 6D maglite seems to be a challenge.

The 5W would be nice, but it's 75 bucks.

Watch out for those Diamond 5W LEDs with the Fraen lenses. Some people on candlepowerforums have reported problems.

Yeah, the first problem being they are $75...

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: WhiteKnight

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I think I'm going to get that 3W, 75lumens replacement.

2 weeks on 24/7 is pretty damn sweet too! :Q

:thumbsup:

Bastard..

Finding cheap solutions to the 6D maglite seems to be a challenge.

The 5W would be nice, but it's 75 bucks.

Watch out for those Diamond 5W LEDs with the Fraen lenses. Some people on candlepowerforums have reported problems.

Noted. What kind of problems?

I'm not really interested in one tho, too much money.

 

[Insane3D]

Shouldn't you be lifting weights in anticipation of carrying that beast around?

lol.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Shouldn't you be lifting weights in anticipation of carrying that beast around?

lol.

Arrr... Watch it, your ass may have a close encounter with Mr. 6D Maglite.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Shouldn't you be lifting weights in anticipation of carrying that beast around?

lol.

Arrr... Watch it, your ass may have a close encounter with Mr. 6D Maglite.

Been there...done th...err...nm.

/runs away

:Q

 

[mercanucaribe]

Why LEDs? Aren't they less efficient than incandescent bulbs?

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Why LEDs? Aren't they less efficient than incandescent bulbs?

Well, depending on what you get..they are brighter. All of them are more efficient than the standard bulbs by a lrge margin. For instance, the replacement I listed above puts out 75 lumens, while the stock bulb puts out 39 lumens. Also, they battery life is extended quite a bit because the LED's use so much less power. I mean, with that replacement bulb and a 3D Maglite, I could keep it on 24/7 for two weeks....try that with a stock bulb.

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Yeah, the first problem being they are $75...

Actually, that would be the last problem, the first problem being that you're using a MagLite.

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Why LEDs? Aren't they less efficient than incandescent bulbs?

Efficiencies are about equal for good quality, handheld flashlight bulbs and LEDs, but this comparison is not exactly apples-to-apples, as the incandescents in this class are typically brighter and have less runtime. LEDs are whiter, shock-proof, have less color shift on lower battery voltage (cf dim, yellow incandescents), and typically have driver circuits that extend usable battery life (by draining the battery further).

I have no experience with the drop-in replacements. A full mod will be more reliable and customizeable, and probably competitively priced.

With 6 batteries, you're going to see a wide range of Vbatt as they discharge, so I would avoid a simple resistor circuit. The cheapest reasonable solution is LuxIII + DownBoy buck convertor. A low Vf LuxV and an nFlex or uFlex board would be nice options. However, all this is $$.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Flatscan

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Yeah, the first problem being they are $75...

Actually, that would be the last problem, the first problem being that you're using a MagLite.

Come on now, they aren't that bad. I got a deal on it, and they are decent flashlights for general use. Not everyone wants to build a custom flashlight, nor needs the best of the best.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Why LEDs? Aren't they less efficient than incandescent bulbs?

Are you kidding? An LED is eleventy billion times more efficient than an incandescent bulb, all else being equal.....

I guess it depends on your specific definition of "efficiency" tho.

They use less energy, (can) put out more light, last longer.. the only real downside is cost.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Why LEDs? Aren't they less efficient than incandescent bulbs?

Are you kidding? An LED is eleventy billion and one times more efficient than an incandescent bulb, all else being equal.....

Fixed for accuracy...

 

[Eli]

Well, that sucks...

We're sorry, we were unable to complete your order listed below. Unfortunately, HSN did not receive enough of this product to fulfill your order. The order has been cancelled.

:Q:frown:

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Why LEDs? Aren't they less efficient than incandescent bulbs?

Well, depending on what you get..they are brighter. All of them are more efficient than the standard bulbs by a lrge margin. For instance, the replacement I listed above puts out 75 lumens, while the stock bulb puts out 39 lumens. Also, they battery life is extended quite a bit because the LED's use so much less power. I mean, with that replacement bulb and a 3D Maglite, I could keep it on 24/7 for two weeks....try that with a stock bulb.

Shenanigans!

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Shenanigans!

I agree. Where is this 2 weeks x 24/7 (336hr total) coming from? I see "2 0" hours listed on the linked page.

The 75 lumens is slightly exaggerated, that's on the high side of a LuxIII T-bin and measured at the emitter (not accounting for losses at the reflector or lens). On the other hand, the 39 lumens for stock sounds like a pretty large exaggeration, though I don't have too much experience with large Mags. The Surefire E2e puts out 60 lumens, IIRC, which is "wow that's bright" to most people.

If this thread stays alive, I'll dig up some runtimes. Maglite stock bulbs are terrible, but good incandescents have strengths and weaknesses versus high-flux LEDs, some of which I mentioned above. I personally prefer LED, but it's not better at everything, and certainly not more efficient by orders of magnitude.

 

[sniperruff]

yeah damn HSN.