Mag Instrument: Difference between revisions
→Thermal management
| Line 239: | Line 239: | ||
|date=15 September 2010 | |date=15 September 2010 | ||
|quote=The 2nd-gen models solved the thermal problem. Previous models over-heat easily, and their light dim down after just a few minute of operation.}} | |quote=The 2nd-gen models solved the thermal problem. Previous models over-heat easily, and their light dim down after just a few minute of operation.}} | ||
</ref> | </ref> and some other Maglite LED flashlights, used two techniques to avoid overheating: | ||
and some other Maglite LED flashlights, used two techniques to avoid overheating: | |||
* To cool off the LED, each of these flashlights included imperfect heat-dissipation technology:<ref>{{cite web | * To cool off the LED, each of these flashlights included imperfect heat-dissipation technology:<ref>{{cite web | ||
| Line 249: | Line 248: | ||
|author=Wang, Robin | |author=Wang, Robin | ||
|date=20 January 2012 | |date=20 January 2012 | ||
|quote=Previous generations of Maglite’s MAG-LED technology, including the original LED drop-in replacements and even the current LED D-cell lights, had problems with heat dissipation and irregular beam patterns because they were originally designed for incandescent bulbs.}}</ref> a poorly-designed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_management_of_electronic_devices_and_systems#Heat_sinks heat sink,] | |quote=Previous generations of Maglite’s MAG-LED technology, including the original LED drop-in replacements and even the current LED D-cell lights, had problems with heat dissipation and irregular beam patterns because they were originally designed for incandescent bulbs.}}</ref> a poorly-designed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_management_of_electronic_devices_and_systems#Heat_sinks heat sink,]<ref name="2C_upgrade"> | ||
<ref name="2C_upgrade"> | |||
{{cite web | {{cite web | ||
|title=MagLite 2C LED drop-in Technical Review | |title=MagLite 2C LED drop-in Technical Review | ||
| Line 258: | Line 256: | ||
|author="NewBie" | |author="NewBie" | ||
|date=16 July 2006|at=Post 1 | |date=16 July 2006|at=Post 1 | ||
|quote=We are looking at nearly a 60% drop in output, due to the LED getting hot, from a severe lack of good heatsinking}}.</ref> made of thin [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamping_(metalworking) stamped] metal. <ref> | |quote=We are looking at nearly a 60% drop in output, due to the LED getting hot, from a severe lack of good heatsinking}}.</ref> made of thin [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamping_(metalworking) stamped] metal. <ref>{{cite web | ||
{{cite web | |||
|title=MagLite 2C LED drop-in Technical Review | |title=MagLite 2C LED drop-in Technical Review | ||
|url=http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?119665-MagLite-2C-2D-4D-3W-LED-drop-in-Technical-Review | |url=http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?119665-MagLite-2C-2D-4D-3W-LED-drop-in-Technical-Review | ||
| Line 268: | Line 265: | ||
|date=16 July 2006 | |date=16 July 2006 | ||
|at=Post 1 | |at=Post 1 | ||
|quote=Here we go, one of those for your eyes only, which reveals the secrets and the shortcomings, and explains a great many things [...]}}. | |quote=Here we go, one of those for your eyes only, which reveals the secrets and the shortcomings, and explains a great many things [...]}}.</ref> | ||
</ref> | |||
* Also, as each flashlight's LED heated up, the flashlight provided less power to the LED, which caused it to dim and to produce less heat. If the flashlight was moved into a cooler environment, it instantly brightened again. | * Also, as each flashlight's LED heated up, the flashlight provided less power to the LED, which caused it to dim and to produce less heat. If the flashlight was moved into a cooler environment, it instantly brightened again. | ||
| Line 282: | Line 278: | ||
Some criticized these flashlights for dimming so much so much due to the poor heat sink. | Some criticized these flashlights for dimming so much so much due to the poor heat sink. | ||
<ref name="2C_upgrade" /> | <ref name="2C_upgrade" /><ref> | ||
<ref> | |||
{{cite web | {{cite web | ||
|title=Maglite Mag-LED: 2, 3, and 4 cell modules | |title=Maglite Mag-LED: 2, 3, and 4 cell modules | ||
| Line 293: | Line 288: | ||
|author= | |author= | ||
|date=July 2006 | |date=July 2006 | ||
|quote=Some very knowledgeable folks [...] discovered poor heatsinking for the LED, which the circuitry then has to compensate for by quickly lowering output as the module heats up. [...] What I didn't like: Module heats up quickly and output drops quickly.}} | |quote=Some very knowledgeable folks [...] discovered poor heatsinking for the LED, which the circuitry then has to compensate for by quickly lowering output as the module heats up. [...] What I didn't like: Module heats up quickly and output drops quickly.}}</ref> There existed costlier flashlights with better thermal management. | ||
</ref> | |||
There existed costlier flashlights with better thermal management. | |||
In 2009, Mag Instrument modified the 2xAA Mini Maglite LED and 3D Maglite LED to each include a better heat sink. Even during extended use, those flashlights now stay at a reasonable temperature without dimming themselves. | In 2009, Mag Instrument modified the 2xAA Mini Maglite LED and 3D Maglite LED to each include a better heat sink. Even during extended use, those flashlights now stay at a reasonable temperature without dimming themselves. | ||