lctorana
Flashlight Enthusiast
Had an expensive disaster last night.
First a bit of history. My own little corner of the candlepower world is PAR36 sealed-beam lanterns (epecially the Australian version of the Eveready Model 101C - the "Big Jim".)
I started with a standard, old-model with the 4546 bulb. Heavy-duty Zinc-Carbon battery.
My next purchase was the brighter, newer-model with the 4547 bulb, and a SHD Zinc-Chloride battery - more than double the lux on a ceiling-bounce test.
Third step was to use a H7550 with a 6V SLA battery - the "HaloJim" - more than triple the lux.
Then, after joining CPF and reading about the Roar of the Pelican, I built the "Roar of the Big Jim", with 7xSubC cells plus a 1ohm NTC, driving a 30W GE 4515 stage lamp. Eighteen times the lux.
The next step was to upgrade the Roar of the Big Jim to a H4515 - now 28 times the lux.
The next step up was to the H7604 - 12.8V 50W, driven by 14xSubC cells plus a 2.2ohm NTC, which I dubbed "The Tractor Beam", because of the bulb's intended use as a spotlight for nighttime tractor use. We are now seeing more than 50 times the lux of the 4546. At the last Melbourne meet, I threw down the gauntlet to challenge "any HID present" for brightness and throw - with honours even!
But on with the horsepower race.
My next step was to build another battery with 14xSubC cells of higher capacity plus a 1ohm NTC, and modify a Big Jim to add a buffering relay.
I'm moving into big-power, beyond the reach of the stock switch.
Then I went with a GE 4500 (13V 85W) runway light, which took me to more than 70 times the lux.
Starting to get nervous now.
With the addition of a GE 4509 (13V 100W) arcraft landing light, the "AeroJim" delivers an eye-watering 126 times the lux of the 4546 original.
Googling some aircraft forums recommended me the legendary Q4509 - which is also 13V 100W, but was found to be about double the brightness of the 4509 by the aircraft boys, and at 100 hours v 25 hours, should stand up to some serious overdriving.
OK, so I lashed out and bought a genuine GE Q4509.
Cost me more than A$50.
Nervous, and excited.
The NTC was cold, and the battery had been run down a little.
Hooked it up to the AeroJim in place of the 4509, and switched on.
Watched the lux climb as the NTC warmed up, and
Just.
Like.
That.
First a bit of history. My own little corner of the candlepower world is PAR36 sealed-beam lanterns (epecially the Australian version of the Eveready Model 101C - the "Big Jim".)
I started with a standard, old-model with the 4546 bulb. Heavy-duty Zinc-Carbon battery.
My next purchase was the brighter, newer-model with the 4547 bulb, and a SHD Zinc-Chloride battery - more than double the lux on a ceiling-bounce test.
Third step was to use a H7550 with a 6V SLA battery - the "HaloJim" - more than triple the lux.
Then, after joining CPF and reading about the Roar of the Pelican, I built the "Roar of the Big Jim", with 7xSubC cells plus a 1ohm NTC, driving a 30W GE 4515 stage lamp. Eighteen times the lux.
The next step was to upgrade the Roar of the Big Jim to a H4515 - now 28 times the lux.
The next step up was to the H7604 - 12.8V 50W, driven by 14xSubC cells plus a 2.2ohm NTC, which I dubbed "The Tractor Beam", because of the bulb's intended use as a spotlight for nighttime tractor use. We are now seeing more than 50 times the lux of the 4546. At the last Melbourne meet, I threw down the gauntlet to challenge "any HID present" for brightness and throw - with honours even!
But on with the horsepower race.
My next step was to build another battery with 14xSubC cells of higher capacity plus a 1ohm NTC, and modify a Big Jim to add a buffering relay.
I'm moving into big-power, beyond the reach of the stock switch.
Then I went with a GE 4500 (13V 85W) runway light, which took me to more than 70 times the lux.
Starting to get nervous now.
With the addition of a GE 4509 (13V 100W) arcraft landing light, the "AeroJim" delivers an eye-watering 126 times the lux of the 4546 original.
Googling some aircraft forums recommended me the legendary Q4509 - which is also 13V 100W, but was found to be about double the brightness of the 4509 by the aircraft boys, and at 100 hours v 25 hours, should stand up to some serious overdriving.
OK, so I lashed out and bought a genuine GE Q4509.
Cost me more than A$50.
Nervous, and excited.
The NTC was cold, and the battery had been run down a little.
Hooked it up to the AeroJim in place of the 4509, and switched on.
Watched the lux climb as the NTC warmed up, and
Just.
Like.
That.
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