Handheld Spotlight

[seekermeister]

I just tried the light out, and while it isn't as bright or as wide of a beam as I had hoped, it is adequate for it's purpose. I'm glad that I didn't buy anything weaker.

 

[seekermeister]

I may or may not do it, but I would like to make this light brighter than it is, therefore I've been shopping for a bulb mod. The spec. in the manual for this bulb is "Quartz Halogen Bulb: 12V, 50/120 Watt, H4". The problem is that while I do understand the obvious, such as the general bulb type, voltage and watts, I'm not certain what H4 means. Is that simply a bulb size or what?

The bulbs that I've found on eBay often uses H4 in their descriptions also, even though they are of a different category of bulb. Which is the brightest... h4 bi xenon hid kit, h4 headlight, hid conversion kit h4, hid kit h4 8000, hid kit, h4 hid kit 55w, h4 led or what?

EDIT: BTW, I received a response of sorts from both Wagan Tech and the seller, both of which indicated that the battery was charged during manufacture. However both responses ignored the part of my question regarding whether the light should have arrived sealed. Rather annoyingly, after the seller said that the battery was charged at manufacture, he asked that I call him for an explanation if I didn't understand. The only part that I don't understand is whether the light should have been sealed or not, and I'm not going to pay for a long distance phone call to hear his answer, because it seems obvious that I wouldn't be able to trust his answer anyway, since he could have as easily answered it in his email response.

This is not the first time that a seller has avoided answering a question in writing, I guess they feel safer if they can't deny whatever they have to say at a later time.

 

[Anak]

I'm not certain what H4 means. Is that simply a bulb size or what?

The H stands for Halogen, A digit preceded by an H like H1 is a reference to the bulb fitting socket and they occur anywhere in the range from H1 to H12, the H4 has two filaments a high, and low beam.
These designation can also be used for xenon bulbs.

See Group1 Wiki/Automotive_lamp_types

H1 H4 H7 - Auto Lamp Headlight Bulbs Images

 

[seekermeister]

So, if I understand, any bulb designated as H4 should fit the light....right? So is Xenons the brightest, or are HID bulbs? Am I correct in thinking that the brighter the bulb, the greater the wattage, and the battery charge will not last as long?

 

[Anak]

So, if I understand, any bulb designated as H4 should fit the light....right?

Right.

So is Xenons the brightest, or are HID bulbs?

Xenon's, but be careful of the terminology Xenon's are also considered as an HID.

Am I correct in thinking that the brighter the bulb, the greater the wattage, and the battery charge will not last as long?

Yes,
There is something else to consider; brighter = higher wattage = more heat.
You wouldn't want to warp the housing.

I could not find what type of material is used in the making of the housing, but I did run across an MSDS for the Battery.

   Note

NOTE: The glass of the new bulb must not be touched with bare hands. Finger grease deposited on the glass will create hot spots on the bulb and decrease its life. If the bulb glass is accidentally touched, it can be cleaned with a lint free cloth dampened with alcohol.

Source: Found in manual

If you are thinking of saving the original bulb you must also protect your fingers from spreading body oils to the old bulb.
It has been found that these hot spots will not only decrease the bulb life, but can also create an explosion hazard.

Whenever I am dealing with changing any type of HID I first put on a clean pair of latex or nitril disposable gloves. That way I don't inadvertently reach for the new bulb with bare hands, it also creates a greater gripping coefficient of friction.

 

[seekermeister]

Thanks for the info and link, but I'm less concerned about damaging the case, because I feel that I could monitor that myself (although it would definitely be nice to know beforehand...then again, I suppose that the increased wattage might harm the power switch or wiring, which would not be so easy to see before damage was done). What is more on my mind at the moment, is how to determine if the increased brightness would be enough to make the cost of a new bulb worthwhile, because they certainly are not cheap. Would a 120 watt xenon bulb be brighter than a 120 watt halon?

EDIT: Another question to ponder...is the beam width strictly determined by the parabolic design of the reflector? In other words, would the beam width remain the same, regardless of the bulb used?

 

[seekermeister]

I'm beginning to think that I'm not going to change the bulb, because I just attempted to access it to inspect the bulb configuration, but even though the manual shows a total of 16 screws holding the assembly together, none of them are accessible from the outside. The only thing that I can think of is that the rubber cover has to be removed first, but I put as much force on twisting it as I thought safe...assuming that it twists off like a jar lid.

I've been looking again at the bulbs in your last two links, and I'm not positive that any of them match. Firstly, because the H4 shown in the link, has a dark tip at the front, which mine doesn't have, and none of the bulbs in your second link has wattages equal to mine (50/120). Of course the bulbs in the first link that are specifically labeled xenon, do have wattages given.

EDIT: BTW, I did check out the battery, and as I suspected, it is identical to the battery used in my APC.

 

[kellymac35]

This Torch burns bright. Currently being tested by Guinness World Records this is the world's brightest and most powerful flashlight. With 4100 lumens of raw light power, it's a full 100 lumens brighter than the previous record holder.
World's Brightest & Most Powerful Flashlight | The Torch

 

[seekermeister]

That a very interesting light, and I wouldn't mind having one, except for the price. Curiously, the claim for the world's record at 4100 lumens made me go back to find a user's review on the Peak Cyclops 18MIL that I had seen before:

I then removed both their Phillips 130 watt quartz halogen lamps and replaced them with a pair of Seoul H4 55 watt 6000K Xenon HID bulbs which were parts of an auto light replacement HID kit that I bought on eBay and hooked them to their Hella ballasts which came with the kit and tucked the ballasts under the reflectors where there is an ample volume for that. I resealed both spotlights, fully charged the batteries and turned them both on.

YeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaa !!!!! The Sun shown at 11:00 PM PDST!!! .... I instantly ended up with a pair of Cyclops 4500 Lumens each, turning the Pacific Northwest late summer, early fall night into broad daylight at a fraction of the cost of buying an HID Spotlight. [...]

http://www.amazon.com/Cyclops-C18MIL-Colossus-Rechargable-Spotlight/dp/B0018F1CJ4

I have no way to know if he was telling the truth, nor how he measured the output, but if true, it kind of makes that world record look a little weak.

EDIT: I also thought it odd that the bulb used in that world record light is of a lower wattage bulb than mine uses, but then it also uses a higher voltage battery. Maybe that is the difference.

 

[Anak]

Thanks for the info and link, but I'm less concerned about damaging the case, because I feel that I could monitor that myself (although it would definitely be nice to know beforehand...

Your welcome.

then again, I suppose that the increased wattage might harm the power switch or wiring, which would not be so easy to see before damage was done).

There has been much discussion, and changing of laws amongst the various State DOT Bureau's on just that concern as younger drivers opt to install those brighter headlight systems, not only are they blindingly bright, but they can set the wiring systems of the vehicles they are installed in on fire if they are not matched properly.

What is more on my mind at the moment, is how to determine if the increased brightness would be enough to make the cost of a new bulb worthwhile, because they certainly are not cheap. Would a 120 watt xenon bulb be brighter than a 120 watt halon?

I have found some references that xenon's are brighter, but no actual studies.
By the way, I have found references that it is okay to physically touch Xenon bulbs. Caveat Emptor.

EDIT: Another question to ponder...is the beam width strictly determined by the parabolic design of the reflector? In other words, would the beam width remain the same, regardless of the bulb used?

I would think so.
Consider the Mag-Light with its capability to adjust the beam angle from spot to flood. you may find this page there interesting: Flashlight Performance.

I'm beginning to think that I'm not going to change the bulb, because I just attempted to access it to inspect the bulb configuration, but even though the manual shows a total of 16 screws holding the assembly together, none of them are accessible from the outside. The only thing that I can think of is that the rubber cover has to be removed first, but I put as much force on twisting it as I thought safe...assuming that it twists off like a jar lid.

On page five of the manual it states "4. Pull off the front rubber edging." Pulling it off/removing it would be difficult being its brand new.
Using a hair dryer to warm the front rubber cover, small screwdriver, and a small cat's paw would be tools I would consider.

I've been looking again at the bulbs in your last two links, and I'm not positive that any of them match. Firstly, because the H4 shown in the link, has a dark tip at the front, which mine doesn't have, and none of the bulbs in your second link has wattages equal to mine (50/120). Of course the bulbs in the first link that are specifically labeled xenon, do have wattages given.

EDIT: BTW, I did check out the battery, and as I suspected, it is identical to the battery used in my APC.

I only offered those visuals as a guideline to the H4 reference, if my bulb didn't have a coating on the tip I would not use it as a replacement either, unless I had no other choice, and I desperately needed a replacement bulb.

EDIT: I also thought it odd that the bulb used in that world record light is of a lower wattage bulb than mine uses, but then it also uses a higher voltage battery. Maybe that is the difference.

The Count understood a universal law of nature.
You can take any object, and apply a force to it, and under experimentation find the limits of said force until the object will stop working.
Once the consequences are understood, the usage of a mis-matched system can produce increased performance. But, at the cost of decreased longevity.

 

[seekermeister]

There has been much discussion, and changing of laws amongst the various State DOT Bureau's on just that concern as younger drivers opt to install those brighter headlight systems, not only are they blindingly bright, but they can set the wiring systems of the vehicles they are installed in on fire if they are not matched properly.

I'm beginning to feel that it would be best if I left things as they are...too many possible risks to consider.

I have found some references that xenon's are brighter, but no actual studies.
By the way, I have found references that it is okay to physically touch Xenon bulbs. Caveat Emptor.

I would think so.
Consider the Mag-Light with its capability to adjust the beam angle from spot to flood. you may find this page there interesting: Flashlight Performance.

I'll look in a moment.

On page five of the manual it states "4. Pull off the front rubber edging." Pulling it off/removing it would be difficult being its brand new.
Using a hair dryer to warm the front rubber cover, small screwdriver, and a small cat's paw would be tools I would consider.

Thanks for find that, I have a tendency not to read instructions too closely

I only offered those visuals as a guideline to the H4 reference, if my bulb didn't have a coating on the tip I would not use it as a replacement either, unless I had no other choice, and I desperately needed a replacement bulb.

Fortunately, I'm not at a point to have to make a decision yet.

The Count understood a universal law of nature.
You can take any object, and apply a force to it, and under experimentation find the limits of said force until the object will stop working.
Once the consequences are understood, the usage of a mis-matched system can produce increased performance. But, at the cost of decreased longevity.

Laws of nature, I somewhat understand, but who is the Count?

 

[carwiz]

You need to compare the specifications of the individual bulbs. A watt is not a measure of brightness. It's simply the amount of power or energy used by the bulb.

 

[seekermeister]

Thanks, I know what a watt is, but I had thought that there would be a direct correlation between it and brightness, but I was wrong.

 

[Anak]

Laws of nature, I somewhat understand, but who is the Count?

The Count is the person you quoted from the Amazon link you provided in your post #69.

His full review:

By
Count Bernadotte, IV "Countbernadotte" (Kingdom of Sweeden) -

This review is from: Cyclops C18MIL Thor X Colossus 18 Million Candle Power Rechargable Halogen Spotlight (Tools & Home Improvement)
I had had the Cyclops C15MIL, rated by the manufacturer 15 Million Candle Power, before I bought this from Amazon. I tested the light intensity output of both only to find out that not only were they identical, but they also fell far below the fantastic claims of 15 and 18 Million Candle Power. ... Actually candle power rating is such a misleading method of rating light output that it should be outlawed!

Instead, I measured their Luminosity in terms of Lumen Units; both have registered identical readings of 1423 and 1417 Lumens respectively, where my older C15MIL scoring the negligibly higher rating.

The part you used:

I then removed both their Phillips 130 watt quartz halogen lamps and replaced them with a pair of Seoul H4 55 watt 6000K Xenon HID bulbs which were parts of an auto light replacement HID kit that I bought on eBay and hooked them to their Hella ballasts which came with the kit and tucked the ballasts under the reflectors where there is an ample volume for that. I resealed both spotlights, fully charged the batteries and turned them both on.

YeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaa !!!!! The Sun shown at 11:00 PM PDST!!! .... I instantly ended up with a pair of Cyclops 4500 Lumens each, turning the Pacific Northwest late summer, early fall night into broad daylight at a fraction of the cost of buying an HID Spotlight. [...]

Source: Amazon.com: Cyclops C18MIL Thor X Colossus 18 Million Candle Power Rechargable Halogen Spotlight: Home Improvement

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Maybe you can get the latest firmware updates and overlamp your flashlights bulb? of course you'll void your warranty!