LED Flashlight Mod

[titanpat57]

Hi all,

Im constantly farkin' around with LED's...I'm kinda of addicted to modding with them. The draw is of course is the little power usage, coupled with some pretty bright beams.

One of my favorites was to take my Dewalt 14.4 flashlight that came with some kit I bought and convert it from stardard type bulb to an inserted LED module.

I took the ol' handy dandy Dremel cut off wheel and enlarged the opening at the rear of the chrome reflector big enough for the module to fit snuggly. Next I took the leads to the existing wiring and connected them to leads off the module (remeember that positive and negitive HAVE to be correct on an LED or it will not light). After that I made sure the back of the module made good contact with the tension spring and WHA-LAA..Let there be light!!

Here's a few pics. The standard bulb would run about 3 hours on a good charge. This will run about 24-30 hours, and no batteries to throw out, based on the extended run times. These are the same modules I used for back up lights on my trailer....small, compact, great beam and reasonably priced for what you get.

Here's the link for the LED modules.

Waterproof LED Spotlight - Car & Home - Ultra Intensity!

 

[e9999]

I saw these things cover a huge range of voltage 8-24V IIRC. What effect does the voltage have on the module and intensity?

 

[titanpat57]

I saw these things cover a huge range of voltage 8-24V IIRC. What effect does the voltage have on the module and intensity?

I have one hooked up to 12v Vulcan emergency light, the same way, and there is no obvious difference in intensity. The Vulcan has a 12v battery (bigger in volume than the dewalt though). I havn't charged it for 6 months...

I do have an 18v Rigid flashlight I guess I'm going to have do now...

 

[davegonz]

Those are cool Pat. I've been meaning to mod my two Hella Matadors that I'm going to put on my trailer. This seems like a cheap way to do it.

 

[e9999]

the beauty of this if I am not mistaken is that the LED is very directional so you don't really need the reflector. Therefore -and especially since it is supposed to last for a very long time- you can just glue it in the flashlight head without much concern for position and it should be good. No need to be too subtle there.

 

[carboncycles]

the beauty of this if I am not mistaken is that the LED is very directional so you don't really need the reflector.

Not true unless the LED has been created around a built in collimator, which is very rare due to the costs associated with it. Most are simply a transistor with a clear material housing it.

 

[titanpat57]

Not true unless the LED has been created around a built in collimator, which is very rare due to the costs associated with it. Most are simply a transistor with a clear material housing it.

This mod is based on a LED module with a built 25 degree lens. If you look at the link it describes the type used and the picture clearly shows the built in lens. My only complaint after buying 6 of these modules so far is a slight color variation between the pods.

And your so right e9999...just kinda plug and play..the reflector and the existing spring on the back basically holds the module.

Hey Dave, I Goggled your type of light and the only thing I would check out is what happens when the LED is shown through the diffusing lens of the light ( I assuming it's glass?) but you may be able to put at least two through the back. Does the light come apart so you have access to the inside?

If you look at the last picture it almost hurts your eyes to stare at the light emitted..and nothing has ben enhanced or doctored. That sh*t is bright!

 

[carboncycles]

This mod is based on a LED module with a built 25 degree lens. If you look at the link it describes the type used and the picture clearly shows the built in lens. My only complaint after buying 6 of these modules so far is a slight color variation between the pods.

And your so right e9999...just kinda plug and play..the reflector and the existing spring on the back basically holds the module.

Ah, I see what you did now. The LEDs that I have played with have been nothing more than just a bulb as I described above. What maker did you use to visually notice a difference between the modules?

 

[titanpat57]

Here's the link again:

Waterproof LED Spotlight - Car & Home - Ultra Intensity!

Here's a few more pics of my work flashlight I did: