@ Vectrex - Yes, the stock parts are junk and not suited to high amp drivers or LEDs. Part of the solution will be the reflector change. The stock reflector is somewhere around 30mm in length (I am guessing), so the replacement will have to be signifigantly shorter, to give room for a much larger (deeper) Heat Sink. I am really hoping that I can just go direct instead of using the driver. Direct is so much simpler and if it was a P7 I wouldn't even be concerned about Vf.
@ Essexman - I may have to replace the stock switch. I don't really like those chinese clicky switches, but I will have to look at it some. There are some viable replacements that would work.
Glad you're working out the details for me because I wasn't thinking it'd need a shorter reflector. Before/after beamshots would be great;)
I'm interested in lens dimensions too. I can see myself camping w/ one of these in each back pocket - one floody, the other w/ http://www.dealextreme.com/p/50mm-18mm-2-80-degree-glass-optics-12834
edit:i suspect the emitter would be closer than focal length:(
Serial/Parallel battery circuit (towards the bottom of the page). I like these circuits for using AA batteries in 4D-6D Mag-lites, as you get more voltage and more amperage by making a series/parallel battery pack.
The problem with modding the c-88 is lots of people like it .. just like it is .
the Saik being 1/2 the price may be twice as hard to mod ... but who says that's not fun too.
First thing i'd do is fill that dang hole with copper ..I have a cheap old light I just pressed a pill into a hollow pill like that ...I had a pill that looked like it would fit .....I made it fit :)
Watching with interest! Old Lumens-a man after my own heart! No rich guy stuff here either. All hand tools, some of them pretty rickety. But the rewards are great!
Checked out your link. Great Mod! Went to CPF too and read the thread there. Good info if I ever do multiple emitters. 7 of them in a 4" head... Someday maybe.
Just in case everyone was wondering, I found that the DX package came into the US today, so hopefully it will get here after Thanksgiving. Maybe around next Monday (I Hope)...
From some measurements that Essexman gave me on his SAiK, I think there will be a Lot of Modification, since the stock lens and reflector are not anywhere near the dimensions of some of the replacement stuff available. It ought to be interesting if it can even be done. Unfortunately I may have to go looking for a different reflector. The lens will end up being a UV filter from a camera.
I put ared phlatlight emitter in one of these a couple of months ago. Just DD off of the three aa batts. So never had a heat issue with the plastic reflector.
interesting that you'd choose a UV filter for the lens - that just happens to be on hand? or happens to fit? I'm sure you'll share component sources when finished...just curious.
do you have a role in mind for the finished product (ie throw, flood)?