Turning a Thrower into a Flooder - How?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

So I have my eyes on the Small Sun ZY-T08. I like the parallel cell arrangement for long runtimes, but I'd like it to be more of a flooder like an XM-L in a P60, not total flood, and retain some throw). What's the best way to get more flood from it? Sputter the reflector with "glass frosting spray"? Or would that not make it floody enough? Spray the glass lens with the "glass frosting spray"? Or use a diffusion film on the lens? (If this is an option, would someone please link me to where I can get some?) Oh, and it would be nice if someone had before and after photos to see the beam pattern result.

It would be nice if whatever I do could be reversed to turn it back into a thrower. If I could buy an extra reflector and/or lens that would be great.

I know some of you kringe at the idea of "ruining" a perfectly good thrower! Maybe, in the spirit of BLF, I just need to buy two of them.

Thanks,
-Garry

2

I'll send you a couple pieces of film. If one doesn't do the job, double up !

3

Is using the film produce a better result than "frosting" a reflector or lens? Or is it just convenient because it can be removed? And where is this film sold and what is it called, "diffusion film"? (Not saying I won't take a free sample!) I don't have the light yet; kinda weighing the options now and making sure this is feasible.

I think I've heard that some people have used Scotch "Magic Tape" with good results. Anyone confirm?

-Garry

4

Results are similar to a frosted lens, but conveniently removable.

DC Fix is the common brand of film, if you're looking.

Scotch tape is OK, but seems to cut more lumen than necessary to achieve the desired diffusion, as well as leaving a residue upon removal.

If a permanent fix is needed, I like to lightly bead-blast the lens (thanks to Old-Lumens for that tip.)

5

What about "Glad brand Press-n-Seal" which you recommended back in July here? I do want to keep as mush output as I can of course.

Got a good source for DC Fix? I googled it and found different varieties of it.

-Garry

6

Here the link for DC fix is.

7

Thanks scaru! I might just go ahead and order some as it's cheap enough.

-Garry

8

Great stuff, and available at most grocery stores.

Still recommended.

9

I hate to (partially) disagree with Chicago X but Press n Seal (which will work) also is somewhat directional as I recall (I’ve tried most films at one point or another).

DCfix seems to be the best for most applications and Magic Tape works well (but I do agree with Chicago X’s comments here) for those times when the design of the light makes the stiffer DCfix harder to use.

If you really want to experiment sometime order one of the Lee Filters sample gell packs and there are many different grades of diffusion.

DCfix is what I end up using most often however.

10

Yes, buy two, LOL.

Make one a thrower and the other a flooder. Ues Krylon on the flooder reflector. It's permanent, but I think it dosen't loose as much light as film does. Just my feeling.

11

Wonder what a half and half reflector would do?

Half OL with krylon and half factory!

12

That's not the right spray. You need Acrylic Crystal Clear Gloss. The frosting spray can be applied to the inside of the lens to get a frosted lens effect, but sputtering the reflector requires crystal clear gloss or you'll lose a lot of output.

Of the choices given so far, I'd choose DC Fix. It retains the most output and has the convenience of being semi-permanent.

13

No disagreement here - due to the patterning of the film, it can be a tad uneven on smaller lenses. Since the subject was one of throwers with typically larger reflectors, it likely won't apply.

14

Thanks guys! Good thing I didn't use the frosting spray on a reflector yet! I'll probably pickup the DC Fix and Glad press-n-seal as well as some extra P60/C8 lenses to experiment with.

-Garry

15

Press n Seal acts the same with big or small reflectors. It has a polarizing effect and creates an elongated oval shaped beam. You have to use two layers oriented 90 degrees to each other to get a round beam, but the resulting output loss is significant.

The stuff is fine if you use just one layer and don't mind an oval shaped beam. But not so good if you want a round beam.

16

I just went back and tried some again - you guys are right. I never noticed the effect before with a single layer.

17

I just ordered a big sheet of that d-c-fix film, can send out small sheets when I get it.

18

Here’s an experiment that I performed awhile ago:
First picture is of a stock MagLED.
Second picture is the same light with the reflector sputtered with clear hairspray.
Third picture is of the stock reflector and/or with the sputtered reflector behind a diffusion film.

Note that the sputtered beam loses the rings, but, is otherwise almost the same as stock. Also note that the hard edge of the spill is gone with the diffusion film.

19

What you can’t see in the first two pictures is the hotspot. It’s in that round spot, which is actually the corona. The hotspot in the last picture is as shown.

20

So in your experiment you never got lots of flood. So perhaps diffusion film isn't enough for me to get that "XM-L in a P60" type of beam?

(BTW - I'm getting a "you don't have enough posts" message on CPFMP when I login. Will I still be able to order? I don't get the notice on the regular CPF (where I have a whopping 13 post count!)

Oh, and I looked for the Glad press-n-seal. I only found a "limited edition" apparently with some sort of winter print/design to it so I didn't buy it.

-Garry