As stated, I’m real green…but tinkering is in my blood. I have two lights I may mod and I’m wanting your ideas. Granted, I’m not sure if I’ll get to any actual work until the kids are back in school, but I want to get the collective brainstorming started. Here’s what I’ve got:
On the left is this: http://www.topusa.com/pages/products_details.aspx?id=joimnqr4 and was sent to me free of charge to sway me into buying a bundle for my company. It has a side switch and functions well. The build is done well (for an inexpensive light). The 12 cheapy LEDs do a decent job, but I could do more with it given that it is powered by 3 aaa and there’s room in the tube for something fatter. The 12LED “pill” drops right out. Both head and tail screw off. The ID of the head is about 1 5/32 of and inch (sorry for SAE, I’ll have to take it to my shop for real measurements).
On right is a true cheapie! I believe i got is as a coupon freebee from harbor freight, but not sure. It has 9 LEDs and only one really works, others strobe and/or are dimly lit in a very random pattern. The ID of the head is about 15/16” and appears to be straight from head to tail. LEDs/pill doesn’t drop out. Also runs on 3 AAAs. Clearly this is the one I’d like to play with first as it isn’t really working at all.
So, teach me/show me some mods. Let the brainstroming begin.
EDIT: Obviously I don’t know how to get photos in the post…anyone?
My thought on most of the multiple led lights, is that it’s harder to do any mods with them, since many times the dimensions are odd and nothing comes close to fitting them. I would not even touch the red one, since the aluminum is so thin, it would not be much fun to work with, but in any event, first thing would be to take the lights apart and do all the measurements in mm and take some photos. If you look around at some of the reviews and mods here, you will get a feel for what dimensions are important. Head ID, body ID and length, pill OD and depth, etc.
