Not a flashlight mod but a mod none the less.
I took an old feit 9w led bulb and replaced the original some 2835 leds with some 5000k and 4000k Bridgelux Thrive 2835s. I alternated between 5000k and 4000k trying to get 4500k.
I didn’t take any before measurements with the Opple since I just received it and I had already had taken the bulb apart and was too eager to start reflowing some leds.
Overall I’m pretty happy with the CCT and obviously the CRI is great. I was hoping the tint would’ve been closer to the BBL, but it only cost about $2.50 and less than an hour of my time. So, in the end it was definitely worth it.
I spent many many hours filing, sanding, and polishing a cheapo AA flashlight in order to reuse a 5700K 519A LED that came with a Convoy S2+. I purchased the MAO S2+ with the intension of converting it into a triple dedomed 5000K 519A and it turned out great.
I made a makeshift lathe using a portable drill, a large drill bit, and plenty of tape. I think the host turned out pretty darn good. I added another hole for the lanyard so it will be able to tail stand.
The worse part of trying to use the cheapo AA flashlight as a host is the pressed in driver retaining ring. It’s not reusable and was very difficult to remove. So I took an S2+ retaining ring and added solder to the perimeter. Then screwed it back and forth onto the head along with some oil to cut new threads. Now I’ll be able to use it to secure the new copper (cap) pill and the driver that came with the S2+.
I just ordered the lens, reflector, silicone switch cover, etc. from Kaidomain so will have to patiently wait until the parts arrive.
T3 519A 5000K (dedome + 60 TIR) getting 3600-3750K (had to file down the TIR to fit the T3)
It's little to long like 0.1mm or so, to screw it down all the way, but there's an o-ring, so there shouldn't be a problem with water
WB 5000K, 1/60s, ISO50, f1.8
And teaser (I will try to finish it soon, for now it's a test fit, and it fit perfect)
innovative rotary design, you can change the brightness, and tint, by screwing in different bulb
100% center 3622K Duv -0.0032 97Ra
100% side 3707K Duv -0.0039 96.5Ra
20% center 3726K Duv -0.0040 97.3Ra
20% side 3833K Duv -0.0054 97.4Ra
20% near opple, center 3606K Duv -0.0031 97.3Ra
20% near opple, side 3676K Duv -0.0037 Ra 97.1
did you lock the white balance? at what value?
I don't remember if the picture was on, 100% or 20%. It could be 20%. so it's Duv -0.0040 center to Duv -0.0054 sides, and my wall is white...
that is why I take the photo during daylight when the CCT is about 5300K and the Tint DUV is about 0.0032
I dont know if your photo would look like mine, if you took it at the same time of day… that is why I think it is helpful to compare Opple numbers… they bypass photo WB differences.
anyway… just pointing out how much photos can vary… I do think it is great that you can lock WB… your pic looks great…
innovative rotary design, you can change the brightness, and tint, by screwing in different bulb
I didn't bother to take out the MPCB, I just cover it...
Soldering, with my FWAA CU in hand. You can tell, it's my 5 time soldering anything.
Isolation (it was sparking :D) didn't bother to heat shrink it.
parasitic drain is 256µA
moonlight mode is 30mA (and it's working)
next mode is full brightness all the time, on any ramp mode 850/1400mA (depending if with 3W, or 6W bulb)
Strobe, battery check and so on, works ok.
The only problem is with the 6W bulb, as when screwed it, it's always in moon mode, you can't turn the flashlight off (the 3W bulb works fine, you can turn it on, and off)
and “tactical” forward switch (instead of the factory reverse clicky), you can see I got some trouble to get it working as I melted the first switch during soldering and had to “shave” the rubber boot because the forward switch is taller than the factory one
Few weeks back I modified Maglite ML25LT with better led. I used Samsung LH351D, because it’s dome is somewhat diffused in hopes of cleaner beam with stock reflector. It was a real hurdle to disassemble this light. No parts that you usually find in led flashlights, but I managed to pull it through. Vastly improved light that is safe to give to kids.
