Just wondering how much interest there might be in a a M@gl1te drop in? I used to offer a few different versions. I don’t know how much interest there might be in this?
A customer is asking me about a Mag mod drop-in, with a regulation circuit, and got me to thinking about it. I used to make drop ins with from 1 to 5 LEDs. I also used to simply mod a Mag with a heat sink post permanently pressed into the body, but this is not a drop in but a completed modified flashlight. I’m thinking along the lines of a single LED, possibly a 30mm or 45mm reflector, in something in this:
I could the same circuit I use in the EDC-XML-R in it’s base, so the modded M@g could have various modes of brightness, high being 2.8A and 930 lumens.
Just looking for some feedback here, and comments or suggestions.
It holds lots of air. Not that much pill it looks. In my opinion the whole point of a big head/light is mostly a big reflector, or max heatsinking. Usually a combination. The design on the picture does not seem to offer neither in an optimal way. A 45mm reflector and a more solid pill would be better if you are building like that.
Personally, I would rather build something myself. Or buy a more unique light from Old-Lumens or some of the other builders here depending on budget.
Triple emitter or large reflector and a hard driven LED is usually the options I would consider in a Maglite build.
I <3 Mag mods and have several D and C cell hosts begging to be used.
Here’s a couple ideas of which I’ve been dreaming for some time, uniquely epic ones in bold:
1.) Triple XP-G2 dropin that can work with 2xLi-ion, 6xNiMH, or 3xCR123 would PERFECT for Mag 2C/2D and above.
2.) Quad XP-G2 dropin that can be driven by 2-3xLi-ion, 6-9xNiMH, or several CR123 would rock in Mag 2C/2D and above . 3.) A Cree MK-R dropin unifies the output of the above Quad XP-G2 under the dome of a single emitter. Combine with a faceted reflector and this could rock. A 6xAA holder would be sick for use with Mag 2D, as would 9xAA NiMH in 3D. An aside: 8xAA fits albeit a little snugly in every Mag 2D I own; thus 8xAA in 2D could be viable given the 8xAA holder’s diameter is no larger than 4xAA. 4.) Triple MK-R dropin. 24mm^2 worth of light emitting surface area, equivalent to 6 XM-Ls. ’Nuff said!*
The looks are deceptive, in the picture, perhaps I can add more pictures later. The sink is basically an aluminum cup, sometimes made of one part, sometimes of a flat base and a cylinder wall. The base can be from .200” thick up to .350 or so, perhaps more depending on design. The base presses firmly both to the head of the flashlight and also to the top of the tube of the flashlight, for superb heat transfer to the head and body.
So, this is an excellent heat sinking device, even though the image does not show it. I’m known to really overdo it in terms of heat sinking, and this is a big concern of mine in this simple design.
Big reflector, yes, I believe I might be able to fit my 45mm reflector in there, but at this point I need to try and make one and see if that works. It would be a nice option. But the 30mm reflector really does a nice job (use it in my EDC-XML-R). And, I have some 20mm collimators that have a really great beam, or the Iris 30mm collimator, which has a fantastic beam ( I use the Iris in my Anglelux-XML, and I love the beam.) Actually, I might try using the 30mm collimator first, I think it would be better. I think I just got an order for one, might use the 30mm reflector or the 30mm collimator, depends on what the customer wants.
(BTW, I’ve been doing D cell mods, and Mag mods since as far back as 2001, even before the Luxeon 1W, I was putting arrays of Nichia 5mm LEDs, as many as 20, into big D cell flashlights. )
Thank you for your feedback and input, much appreciated,
Wayne
The footprint of the MK-R does not match any circuit boards I have. If someone is selling this on a star board, please let me know who, and I’ll buy a few for testing. I can have boards for it made myself, but, that’s an investment I’d not be willing to make until I have a few and test them. Comparable to a SST-90, except the high voltage requirement. Actually, 12v nowdays is not a problem, 3 18650 or 26650, will do this easy, and amperage is low, which is a good thing.
A Triple MK-R might be a bit much for a Mag mod?
I’d rather not see this thread divert off on the direction of the MK-R, so, if there’s a thread on this in the BLF forums, comments about this LED should go there, I think.
Here are a couple of Drop-Ins I’m working on today:
This is a Big Bruiser heat sink/LED assembly and optics, in a drop in for a M@g:
At 3.6V, but with resistance in the Mag itself, I doubt it would hit 9 amps, have to do some testing. Requires NIMH to power to full brightness. My guess is 7 amps at most (on my bench it powers at 9 amps or more, but in the flashlight itself there is resistance). Could be used in a 4 cell Mag if resistance added, or, in a 2C with one 26650 and spacer, etc.
The following is a Cree XML, bin U2. direct drive from 3 cells (NIMH). I plan to put a EDC-XML-R circuit in it, but not sure of operation from 3C, might need 4C, or power from a 26650 or 18650 with spacer in tube, etc.
Wayne, nice stuff here. I’d love to see thjs project come to fruition. I especially like the triple XPG2 and XML (2) idea, and the single XML2. I think there is a real market for these too, since Mac’s Customs doesn’t make his
Mag drop-ins anymore. Malkoff Devices can’t keep any of their C or D drop-ins in stock, they’re in such high demand. I’ve got several nice custom hosts just begging for one right now, and people are always looking for good Mag drop-ins both bere and CPF.
I had done drop-ins for Mags, quite a few of them, in the past. At some point I decided I just wanted to do completed modified Maglites, and, a lot of people do not want to fuss with modding their Mag, they just want one that is upgraded to LED tech. Anyway, at the time, I had been using the SSC P4 LEDs, up to 5 in a drop-in:
At the time LEDs were only up to around 200 lumens, 240 or something like that, and power consumption was not so high, so a 5 LED drop in was feasible. With the XML at around 1000 lumens and 3 amps, or the new Cree MTG at looks like up to 4A and 1750 or so lumens, might be interesting to go with these in a drop in.
Direct drive is the way I’ve always done it, this is good but has some limitations, and not always the performance one would expect, that is, not as consistent as I’d like to see. Anyway, I’m considering a number of different options for a drop-in. I think one direction is low power consumption, efficient and long running is a good way to go, for those thinking of emergency use or camping. So this would be a XML LED, 30mm reflector, boosted with a Micropuck 2009SHO for 700mA. I get 24 hours to 50% of brightness using 2D cells, in my Anglelux, I’ve tested it to 72 hours and still giving light, I have not tested longer because I do not have the patience to see how long it will go until no light comes out the front. I also can configure the puck for buck, or buck boost, or even stack them for increased power. A buck configuration will allow voltage input from 3.7 to 8V, so works with 4 cells nimh or alkaline, at 700ma output. Buck boost will give lower output of 500mA, but input voltage can be from 1v - 7V, and will suck the batteries dry just like the boost option, so, nimh not recommended as it might ruin them. But this buck boost could be used with from 1 battery up to 4 batteries. Not the highest brightness around, but super long run times.
I have a circuit that works with from 4V to 6V, which I use in the EDC-XML-R, and it has multiple modes of brightness. This could work in a 4 cell only, as it cuts down brightness and blinks to notify low voltage. This would be good for four NIMH as it would not destroy the batteries by over discharging them, but also works with 4 alkaline.
For max brightness:
I’ve found a source for the MTG LED mounted on a board, but it will be at least a few weeks before I might have one. This could be put in a drop-in, I suppose a 4C with 3 26650. This might be kinda cool. I would think over 1500 lumens anyway. Of course, mounted on a post drop-in would be good as then it could be used with the stock reflector.
Now you’ve really got me wanting some drop-ins! Only thing I can say is whatever you come up with, I’ll probably have to have 2 or 3 of each! Don’t forget about the SST-90 either! It would be cool to convert a 3D Mag into a Blaster NG (which I own & love btw)……well that’d be a little tougher to get the heat-sinking of the Blaster but…Seriously if you want to sell that triple XML prototype…I’ll stay logged into my PP account just in case. :bigsmile:
Wayne, are these still on your radar? I know you’ve been spending lots of time thinking about the Bruiser 9000. That’s a cool concept too, but we need some more Mag drop-ins! J) Especially a triple XML2 or MTG!!!
Monster-1-XML2-Boost Drop-In: $49.99
Works with 2D M@gl!te flashlight
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Monster-1-XML2-Buck/Boost Drop-In: $49.99
Works with from 1D to 4D M@gl!te flashlight
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Monster-3-DD-XML2-Drop-In: $79.99
Works with 3D cell only, as it is direct drive. Brightness is around 2000 lumens. 19 degrees floody beam (same as Biig Bruiser)
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Here is the shopping cart page, for these 3 different versions of drop-ins:
For now, I have to make the parts myself, so will be slow in delivery, probably a week or so from time of order to ship. Eventually I will have my machine shop make the parts for me and this will save a lot of time.
All will be using the newer brighter XM-L2 LEDs. You remove the stock reflector and light bulb to use these drop ins.
I thought the driver used in the XML-R was a linear one (NANJG 105c) which ran down around 3v before the low voltage warning? In which case it would over-discharge 4 Ni-mh cells a bit, but work well with 3 cells.
Anyway, the triple XM-L optic based drop-in looks awesome!
I also can use the circuit you mention, not a problem. This circuit also has multiple level brightness settings. This is the circuit I use in the EDC-XML-R. But this circuit works best with li-ion batteries, probably better in a 4 cell Mag. Maximum input voltage is 6V
Which battery do you recommend using? I’m looking at a D cell from Imedion at 9500mAh with Low Self Discharge chemistry. Will these be ideal for this 3D ML drop-in? (not cheap at nearly 30 bucks a pair!)
Please advise.
Thanks, been looking for major light output for this light for a while now!
Edit: I have a 32650 Li-ion 5500mAh cell running this light at the moment, will this work for this drop-in or do you recommend going to the Alkaline or NiMH chemisty?
Most D cells will work. Watch out for the low internal resistance alkaline batteries, as, at 4.5V total it will damage the drop in. (Note, the triple LED drop-in works with 3 cells, not two.) “Monster-3-DD-XML2-Drop-In: 2000 lumens, for your 3D M@gl!te flashlight.” I think Radio Shack sells such a alkaline battery, or, at least, they did.
If you want to use the 32650, you can, but I need to add resistance to accomodate the 4.2V. It will run at 3000 lumens, 9 amps, and, probably your Mag host switch will fry. Power would still need to be cut to 6 amps max, to work in a Maglite. It’s just the switch that limits the power level. I didn’t necessarily design this drop in to produce maximum lumens, but to safely work in a Mag, of which I am familiar with it’s limitations. Considering a stock 2D Mag is only rated at 30 lumens, even 1 LED is an amazing improvement.
Send me an email if you intend to use the 32650, and we can discuss settup of the drop-in.
