The bridgelux from FT are a very cool white. They are definately brighter, yes maybe twice. I would be concerned with leaving one lead unsoldered off the star as it is very important to have good thermal contact from the base of the led to the star. These modules only rely on the force of the TIR optics pressing down on the led after the face plate is screwed down for physical (thermal) contact. I soldered mine onto the star, that is reflowed the base to the star.
On second thought having one lead unsoldered to the star will a least allow the led to “pivot” on the soldered end when the TIR presses down on it and not lead to a situation where the led is permanently bridging the pad if it is not soldered properly.
Yes I thought about these theoretical problems, but since 5 of these small LEDs cost less than a dollar I risked it and it works flawlessly. I didn’t understand the last part, one leg is soldered to the star the other leg is soldered to a cable no bridging possible as there will be no movement.
Thanks for the info about the bridgelux, then I won’t order them I like the warm white tint and the output is usable.
It would be fun if we could find a reflector which fits in the mr16 alu, to use it with a single XML or so…sadly I killed the stock reflector :_(
I noticed these when searching for the 3W x 3 LED 12v bulb.
Could this be plopped into a maglite as well? Same dimensions as the other bulb. I can’t seem to find an example of what it would look like, but I’m assuming it’s just pure flood. They seem to go for the same $1.50 - 2.00 price as the 3W x 3. I figured it might be worth a shot at that price unless someone knows it wont work without a ridiculous amount of modification.
The real issue though is can you either run the bulb with 12v as is or splitting the LEDs to run on less as I did. The fact that there is a total of 18 LEDs is encouraging as 18 is a multiple of 3. If you can pick one up for $2 go for it. If it doesn’t work out, what have you lost? Remember you don’t have to mod the Mag in a non-reversible way. In other words, you can restore your Mag to it’s original condition.
Yes it would be pure flood. I use mine around the house, great for looking for stuff.
If you modify the traces in the 18LED light with cutter and drill the PCB might look ugly and this has no lens which hides it…
If you want a flooder and it doesn’t work with this light you could also remove the PCB and use a normal cree leD without optics maybe a driver, this will also make flood. But it will make the mod some hundred percent more expensive… :bigsmile:
The 3led modules are quite nice and make useable beam and colour.
New style available. Metal plate is gone.
Looks quite a bit nicer imho. More finished and clean.
US $2.31 MR16 12v warm white led bulb SCA-1156
Pictures show the combined triple TIR snaps into the heatsink with 3 tabs. Should come apart without an issue.
Appears to be the same size and all. Seller: “48 x 48 x 50mm”. Each TIR looks larger tho. There isn’t dead space around each TIR like in the metal plate bulbs.
If you do decide to, pick one or a few off ebay. The chinese sellers have buddies/alt account who auto bid up to about $1.40 ish, meaning if you bid last minute for around 1.50 then it’s yours.
I grabbed two 9W MR16 12v 3x3W Led Bulbs about a week ago for about 1.50 each (1 cool 1 warm). If all else fails I get some uber cheap components to fry for experience.
It does look better! I wonder if I can just swap my stars over to the new host. I had upgraded the 2 lights that I have done to 3x3W by ordering 3W emitters from FT. The second light I did was a 2C Mag and I run it off a single 18650. That’s the light I use around the house.
EDIT:
I ordered one, let’s see how long it takes to get here
Good find Helios! Can’t wait to see how this one turns out for Ya’ll!
I just finished this mod on my 3d mag I’ve had around the house for years. Love the outcome!
IT was pretty straight forward. Now I gotta find a brighter white than the 3000k I ended up with.
(and make it brighter! of course!)
What about batteries? What are the best combinations, suggestions? (I just put the D primaries in for now, but want rechargeable fun!)…Have alot of 18650’s on hand and ton o AA duraloops…
If we use a 9w like OL found, how does that change the battery scheme? THanks
Got mine today! Ordered Nov 4th, delivered today Nov 18th (no tracking China Post). The two I ordered look slightly different - like the TIR's are different angles. No thermal paste under the star, but otherwise decent. TIR snaps out very easy (but not too easy). Did not test for output yet.
i might do a simmilar mod to a 3D mag Incan i have kicking around im not using.
