Well as the title says, modding is new to me. I have a machining background and some electronics, but there is so much to learn my head is swimming. Been reading here and at CPF and just end up confused with where to start.
Tho I have talked myself into picking up a Blackshadow Terminator next payday.
But I still have a slew of old lights that could use a new lease on life.
Namely a first gen SF KL1 and KL3, Minimags and a couple old Fultons.
I’m assuming I start with deciding on a host and battery type?
Thinking my old Minimag may be my first victim and for now I’m thinking of staying with AA unless 14500 LiIon is a superior choice.
LiIon are used because they put out more voltage, correct?
Next step is to match an emitter and driver to the input voltage I’ll supply?
Welcome to BLF. I’m fairly new here too, participation wise. I know what you mean by head swimming. Flashlight have a lot of aspects to them (optics, emitters, batteries, switches, driver circuitry, materials, thermal properties, etc). And there are many ways to do the same thing. It’s a great personal challenge to engage in this hobby for me.
Most folks here probably use 18650 li-ions because they hold a lot of power. 18650’s (18mm wide, 65mm long) have been extensively developed for laptop and other uses. The have a nominal charge of 3.6 or 3.7 volts and charge up to about 4.2 volts. There are safety considerations that are really a must with handling these batteries. Especially, when charging them or using more than one in a flashlight. It is magnified by the fact that most flashlight bodies are sealed metallic tubes.
Keep reading and things will start falling into place.
Welcome! Where in Wisconsin are you located? If you're close enough I could give you a rundown of the different lights and battery choices (although my collection is small compared to most). There are a ton (too many really) of options in flashlights, to the point where our opinions are really mostly personal preferences. A majority of the lights discussed on here will really do the "job" fine, but we like finding/building lights that have more throw, different modes, multiple emitters, etc.
Thanks for the links. I found Flashlight wiki too. I’m picking up that Li Ions get used most since they have V similar to the Vf of most LEDs. Then different chemistries depending on particular properties you want?
If you are looking to do a AA Minmag, I suggest you look up Oldlumens and peruse his post list. Also Match, JohnnyMac, and me although I’m a relative newcomer to this. Each has different ways of getting the job done, just pick one you find appealing and go for it. Post any questions you have and they will get answered pdq. If you have access to milling machinery, you might pay particular attention to Match’s Mods.