So, after some waiting, my new torch finally arrived. Its a 3Watt "Luxeon" LED torch. But I am not sure if the LED is the real McCoy but then again, if it was, the price would not be that cheep (cheep). Anyway, I got this from a guy (neosaint99) via Lelong.com.my for RM80. (Actually, it cost more because my Mom went and gave the POSlaju guy a tip)
Having gained some experience from my Lightsaber project, a Luxeon LED, when it is driven straight on, can get quite hot pretty fast. So, fearing for the worst, I unscrewed the torch to test if my theory was right. Yep, the Luxeon LED is secured with only a metal disc, and also to the barrel which both acts as a heatsink. After playing with it for a few minutes, the torch felt a bit warm.
Luxeon LEDs have a very wide angle spread of light radiation and therefore, you need a collimating lens or a refector to focus the light. Still, its bright enough for my job.
Having gained some experience from my Lightsaber project, a Luxeon LED, when it is driven straight on, can get quite hot pretty fast. So, fearing for the worst, I unscrewed the torch to test if my theory was right. Yep, the Luxeon LED is secured with only a metal disc, and also to the barrel which both acts as a heatsink. After playing with it for a few minutes, the torch felt a bit warm.
Luxeon LEDs have a very wide angle spread of light radiation and therefore, you need a collimating lens or a refector to focus the light. Still, its bright enough for my job.
This is what I got today, the 3w LED MXDL torch and a holster
Side to side comparison with my old 9-LED White Torch
Front view
When disassembled, they looked almost the same, except the MXDL Torch has a slightly larger barrel
The 3W LED is stuck in the barrel (you cannot take it out) while the 9-LED is wedged inside the torch's head
A closer look at the solder solder side of my old 9-LED torch
A closer look at the 3W MXDL LED
5 feet side by side test. The 3W MXDL Torch is brighter
My old torch only managed to make a "dim" spot (bottom left)
5 feet side by side test. The MXDL torch is on the left and my old 9-LED torch is on the right
The MXDL torch against my 3W LUXEON Cyan lightsaber
[Update 29.10.2005]
I saw one at ACE Hardeware in Ikano selling for RM166.90 but I am not sure if its 1Watt or a 3Watt version. I am guessing its a 1Watt because the packaging said its 10 times brighter than a LED (the brightest could be about 1 Lumen) since a 1Watt Luxeon gives about an average of 10 Lumens.
[Update 06.10.2005]
Just got more spare time today, and I managed to pry off the LED part. So, if I wanted to, I can replace the 3W LED with a true Luxeon just to put my mind at ease. But I prefer not to. Still, instead of using a colour filter, I can actually order a BLUE Luxeon or even a RED one if I am sick of the White. Then again, sometimes, its better just to keep my itchy hands in my pockets.
The 3W LED is soldered to a terminal under it.
The whole assembly is stuck to a piece of metal which acts as heatsink.
Once its overturned, you can see the fibreglass PCB.
*The metal heatsink is shown as the inner ring after the plastic piece at the edge
I saw one at ACE Hardeware in Ikano selling for RM166.90 but I am not sure if its 1Watt or a 3Watt version. I am guessing its a 1Watt because the packaging said its 10 times brighter than a LED (the brightest could be about 1 Lumen) since a 1Watt Luxeon gives about an average of 10 Lumens.
[Update 06.10.2005]
Just got more spare time today, and I managed to pry off the LED part. So, if I wanted to, I can replace the 3W LED with a true Luxeon just to put my mind at ease. But I prefer not to. Still, instead of using a colour filter, I can actually order a BLUE Luxeon or even a RED one if I am sick of the White. Then again, sometimes, its better just to keep my itchy hands in my pockets.
The 3W LED is soldered to a terminal under it.
The whole assembly is stuck to a piece of metal which acts as heatsink.
Once its overturned, you can see the fibreglass PCB.
*The metal heatsink is shown as the inner ring after the plastic piece at the edge
