This Week: PR-2 with NEW Nichia Design!

[MrEternaLight]

Why is this different? It has an inverter built into the base so that only two 1.5 Volts cells (3volts) are required to drive the lamp to full intensity. Doesn't someone already have that? Yes, but what they don't have is the custom Nichia Lamp made by Nichia exclusively for this application to deliver the most light possible. Put the VersaLux-PR2 lamp into any flashlight that takes a 3 volt PR-2 lamp base (i.e. Maglite and many others). Available only through Technology Associates, Inc. www.techass.com (http://www.techass.com) - check our website later today for complete data!

[Quickbeam]

Is this the critter?

http://safeco2.home.att.net/star2aa4.jpg
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/starlit2.htm

If so, I'm sure everyone will be very happy to have a "local" vendor to buy these from! Excellent!

[Go, Go Gadget Flashlight]

Looks good.
What is the current through the Nichia?
Is it current or voltage regulated?

[Quickbeam]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Looks good.
What is the current through the Nichia?
Is it current or voltage regulated?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This was on the Tech.Assoc. Site:

"The VersaLux-PR2 consumes only 190ma at 3 volts.
Integrated inverter allows for continued operation down to .7 volts."

The one pictured in the post above is from a Sino Union light - looks the same. It may operate down to .7 volts, but I'm quite sure it won't be at full power. It's probably just a simple coil inverter like the Brinkmann - no IC.

I have one of these and it really is great for converting a 2-cell light to LED. Pics available on my site. The beam from this bulb is focusable. In the right reflector housing you can create a very useful beam. I use mine in a WalMart "Sam's Choice" 2-AA faceted reflector light (now discontinued) - creates a great spot with spill-beam. The Sam's Choice 2-D version has been recently made available at W-M and should work great with this bulb.

It is very usable in low light conditions at close ranges (up to about 20 feet) and much more so in total darkness.

[Go, Go Gadget Flashlight]

Thanks Doug. images/icons/smile.gif

I did see that on the site. But I'm interested in the current through the LED itself, not through the step-up.

I want to know if they're driving the Nichia to its potential (35 - 50 mA), or just barely lighting it up (15 - 25 mA). images/icons/wink.gif

[Quickbeam]

The one I have is pretty darn bright, but I don't want to dissect it to get any mA readings! images/icons/blush.gif images/icons/wink.gif I'm pretty sure it's being overdriven.

Perhaps MrEternaLight can give us some actual numbers? images/icons/smile.gif

[Glow Bug]

Gadget,

I just talked to someone at Techass and was told the current running through them was 25-28ma. They manafacture the units themselves. images/icons/smile.gif

[MrEternaLight]

Alright gentlemen, let me clearify somethings about the VersaLux PR-2. There is some confusion between the VersaLux ULM and VersaLux PR2. The PR2, we do not manufacture this, but we are partnered with the person responsible for the manufacture and design of it. Yes, it is the same inverter used in sino chinese one. And it is just an inverter, not a regulated inverter. However, I'm told that the LED is specially made by Nichia exclusively for the person responsible for it's manufacture and it is not the same LED used in the Sino ones. I'm told the Chinese company stole the design and is manufacturing these units now and selling them without the owners permission. The inverter is about 75% efficient and puts about 90ma through the LED (whoa!). The LED leads are packed in silicon to help transfer heat to its surrounding aluminum collar. I hope this clearifies things. Any more Q's feel free to ask!

[Go, Go Gadget Flashlight]

No, that about covers the info I was looking for! images/icons/wink.gif Thanks!

90 mA sounds pretty high, but if the heat has somewhere to go, I bet it will still outlast a standard filament bulb many times over.

It's great to have another manufacturer on the forum!

BTW, you wouldn't happen to need a mechanical engineer, would you? images/icons/smile.gif

[MrEternaLight]

Heck, we can always use a good gear head, just can't always afford one images/icons/frown.gif What design package do you use? Where are you located?

[The_LED_Museum]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MrEternaLight:
The PR2, we do not manufacture this, but we are partnered with the person responsible for the manufacture and design of it<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm taking a shot in the dark here, but by any chance does this person share his name with a rather notable NBA basket ball player?
images/icons/tongue.gif

[Go, Go Gadget Flashlight]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MrEternaLight:
Heck, we can always use a good gear head, just can't always afford one images/icons/frown.gif What design package do you use? Where are you located?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm fluent in Cadkey Solids 98.
Unfortunately, my school chose not to follow industry standards and use Autocad. images/icons/frown.gif I've used it a little, but always felt the interface was a little clunky. Solidworks is better, IMHO, and I have gone through an inch thick tutorial book with it. Cadkey is still my favorite.

I'm located in So. Indiana. Looking for a change of pace.

[Go, Go Gadget Flashlight]

MrEternaLight,

Where can I email you? Did not see an email in your profile or on the TechAss sight.

[JollyRoger]

I believe Mr. Eternalight *is* Technology Associates....I mean, I believe he is the one that checks the email, takes the calls, handles most of the business....

[Glow Bug]

MrEternaLight,

Just received 2 Vesalux LEDS and went to the testing grounds(dark room)to test them. I am very impressed! I put one in a Sams Choice AA and one in a Garrity AA. The Sams Choice had a broader beam than the Garrity. I like both of them. I also tried it against a Luxeon Star that is in a Sure Fire 6p that Gadget converted for me. The Versalux is not as bright as the Luxeon, however; there is not very much difference in the two. You must be overdriving the LED to some degree to be soooo bright. I am very happy with both the brightness and color of the LEDS. images/icons/smile.gif

[MrEternaLight]

The speculation was fun but now the cape and mask comes off. Yes, I'm responsible for running the business of Technology Associates, maker's of the EternaLight. GOGo, my email is tomh@techass.com. And, just becuase we don't always talk doesn't mean we aren't always listening images/icons/wink.gif

I've received many comments and suggestions from you folks and appreciate them all very much. We do what we can when we can and it makes sense too. Having every possible idea in front of us gives us many valuable
options when we're decding where to plant our next foot step. Thank you all!

[Quickbeam]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>The Sams Choice had a broader beam than the Garrity. I like both of them. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have also found that the Sam's Choice lights work well with this type of LED setup (it's the one seen on my site in my review of the sino-union version of this bulb). The faceted reflector sends out a really nice beam. Get the 2AA and 3-D while you can - they're discontinued! The 2-D is the only one available, but it should work will with this bulb, too.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Hello Versa-dudes,

I am very interested in getting a PR-2 type bulb, but for my 2cell and 3cell Maglites.

Any ideas for a compatible bulb for these guys?

David (I *do* like flashlights) Smith
Austin

[Gransee]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Stingmon:
I'm taking a shot in the dark here, but by any chance does this person share his name with a rather notable NBA basket ball player?
images/icons/tongue.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

How much you want to bet...

Peter Gransee

[SchneiderDriver]

I might find the answer at techass.com, thought I'd go ahead and ask here anyway....

Would it be OK to use one of these PR-2's in a B&D VersaPack flashlight with a 3.8 volt battery pack in it?

joe

[JollyRoger]

SchneiderDriver...I wouldn't do this...the led is already being overdriven so much with 3V in. I think 3.8V would be pushing it a bit too much...

[Empath]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SchneiderDriver:
Would it be OK to use one of these PR-2's in a B&D VersaPack flashlight with a 3.8 volt battery pack in it?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The lamps come with a small piece of paper warning not to use them with Lithiums. The only reason I know of for such a warning is the small difference in voltage. I suspect that 3.0 volts is the maximum.

[SchneiderDriver]

Thanks for the answer on the Versa Pack question.....

I was never so excited to buy a $3.97 flashlight in my life! So I bought two. Two different ones actually. I bought a Garrity G-Tech AA light at Meijer, and a GreatLand AA light at Target. The PR-2 LED's work pretty well in them. I like the multifaceted reflector in the Garrity, but the GreatLand light actually did a better job of lighting, before and after the LED mod. I replaced the heavy duty batteries in both of them with alkalines. The Garrity has a rubberized ring around the head, and the body has a "knobby" rubber sleeve on it. It's available in yellow, blue, and red. http://store6.yimg.com/I/celebritycookware_1664_29518045

I didn't find a picture of the GreatLand flashlight. It is a completely rubberized body, with the exception of a small red plastic ring between the body and the head.

I like the Garrity better, but the GreatLand does do a little bit better job....

Bottom line, these PR-2 replacements are cool!

joe