Quite a few people don't like these lights, but I'm kind of fond of them. Although, I don't see myself buying any more of them. Well, for a penny, I will. One can make a real cheap AA light with them. They have a nice size, reflector and tail switch. You can't make a blaster out of them, but you can get some cheap high CRI light. Lots of mouse overs here to save space.
This build only needed an emitter and some copper scraps. Used this emitter from TexasPyro. Here are the original parts plus a piece of 1/2" (ID) copper coupling. Everything pushes out the front of the light. Plastic lens holds everything in place. The 1/2" copper coupling is a real tight fit. Mouse over is coupling with copper disk soldered in. Coupling came to 1/2" long when completed. Spring, emitter, and plastic pill tossed. Filed off about most of the straight section from the bottom of the reflector (about .9", I think).
Nichia 119 on home-made base. Stuck a piece of 1/2" copper pipe for driver to rest on. Driver appears to be some kind of Joule Thief circuit. Not sure if it can be modded. I see no resister, but I think changing the resister on a Joule Thief circuit adjusts voltage. Mouse over shows top of pill.
Almost finished pill.
Before I pushed on the lens. I forgot to clean emitter and put in a reflector centering ring. If I ever install a glass lens, I'll fix that.
Light weighs a lot more now. Feels like it might actually be worth something. Actually, I wouldn't recommend seeking out these lights. If you already have some or get some for a penny, this mod may be for you.