1300 Lumen Duracell DuraBeam Ultra $15CDN Costco

markz

markz

100 TW
Joined
Jan 9, 2014
Messages
12,179
Location
Canada and the USA
Just scored it today, I am going to modify it. 3 Beam settings (High, Low and Flash) plus Zoom Focus (Square).
It looks like a Mag Light, very long about 11.5" long, takes 4C 1.5V batteries that come with it.
I will cut it down so its just the tip of the flashlight, probably go and buy another 2 or 3.
Once I give it a try at night.

http://www.costco.com/Duracell-Durabeam-Ultra-1300-Lumen-Flashlight.product.100241717.html

This is the packaging mine came in, from one of my local Costco stores, not online Costco



closer look at costco light.jpg
View attachment 1
 
View attachment 6Cut down, will incorperate the switch for high, low and strobe. Needs 6V dc (4 x 1.5V C-cans), I have a DC-DC converter I bought from Lyen when I bought his 18fet Low RDS controller.

View attachment 9
View attachment 8
View attachment 7

Will cut off the threaded part for the switch, and mount it to the flashlight head.
Mounting it, I will fab something up.

View attachment 6

one more cut.jpg

Definately buying a few more of these, have a 2 light setup for 2600 Lumens of light for each bike.
Just thought of a great idea, use a C cell itself, epoxy the heck out of it.
plan 2.jpg
plan 22.jpg
plan 222.jpg

Best deal in town, the aluminum hand-saws easily, files easy too.

Even saw Jann Arden shopping at Costco today. Google it, yeah shes a Canadian singer.

wired.jpg

tight sqeece.jpg

The metal handles have to be connected electrically too, it doesnt solder too well.

Its got a very weird sound to it when it turns on, a bit of a buzz on high beam , then the sound lowers on low beam.
Looking at package to see what the Lumens is for low beam, doesnt say. Just says 2 hours on high, 35 hours on low.
The sound is more noticable on the strobe flash. I didnt notice the sound when the unit was new, maybe its just a soft contact on the housing. Seems like its coming from the button/circuitry. <----Confirmed, soft contact makes the sound.
 
Interesting note, using the built-in switch the light is noticeably dimmer then if its just hardwired to the batteries.
I wonder if thats for their promotion of 35h low, 2h high, or for light bulb/led longevity.

Im testing it now, by passing the switch and hardwired straight to batteries, the light is a ton more bright, it actually hurts the eyes and the beam is just reflecting off my black desk writing mat.

It states on the battery under C - MN 1400 then 1.5V LR15 then expiry date mar 2025.
So maybe these are 1400mAh batteries.

This light sure beats china crap, or the expensive lights. I bought a china crap light someone recommended here on ES and it did not last long at all. I bought a smaller light like this one I bought, it was a metal case small sliding focus and different strobe patterns. The lense ended up breaking on it, after a year or so of light use.

If I properly attach the 2 sides so that the button works properly, and have a bypass switch to get extra light lumens out of the flashlight, then this will be a totally awesome light for $15.

I am blinded, I am blinded LMFAO
Yeah I am buying a handful more of these puppies. I wonder if I can get a more powerful LED.
 
Batteries are 40 degrees C
White wall in shade is 21
Window is 15
black desk mat is 25
housing is is 40-44
lens is 49

I have it hooked straight to battery, time 13:30 minutes

I will give it 1 hour!!!!

Any bets, whos betting - for fun of course???????
I will put the results in a spoiler thingy

Testing the spoiler "thingy" below,
Its been 25 minutes same tempratures, I havent been paying attention to intesity of light because well I am blinded from trying to guage it :oops: 29 minutes lense temp rose to 60-65C I think it depends on the angle of the temp gun, batt cans 45C

Hmmmmm what to do, what to do!!! I will babysit them for a bit, Batteries are getting hot to touch 53C.
35:30 minutes point. Might have to shut errrrrrr down boys!!!!! If it climbs any more, still 50-53C.
So thats why they reduced the brightness, reduces the current draw and C-rate.
This temp laser needs to be correctly pointed otherwise I get false readings. The temps are all the same, havent changed or increased b/c of my temp laser angle.

44 minutes

I need to know what voltages this thing can take. Stock is 6V so maybe I can do 8-10V, be nice to know how much longevity I lose.
I see 50 minutes now on my timer

I will just stick with a couple Li-Ion 18650 in the 3 to 3.5Ah range :) Stock form with a switch to a more powerful light in cases where I need extra light.

Samsung INR 18650-35E, Sanyo GA's 3500mAh - though those are 4.2V. So two of those is 8.4V.
Maybe two of these would work fine! Could even charge them on my RC charger!! :) 3.2V 10Ah EACH! :)
Endless hours of blind fun :twisted:

ONE HOUR AND 20 MINUTES
 
Yes this has been the same flashlight all throughout this thread.

This flashlight that I bought at Costco is indeed very bright, in all seriousness.
I am not being sarcastic at all.

I am testing it right now though, I just want to see how long the stock batteries last in this setup, where I bypassed the mode switch. Because it is way brighter this way, but the stock brightness was impressive as well. I want to guage what capacity (Ah) I will need for a proper LiFePO4 (3.2V) battery pack, or as mentioned I might use the DC-DC off my main pack. As mentioned leaving an old C can in, using epoxy and having the wires come out is easy. Having an electrical connection between the mode button and bulb side will be trickier. I found some rubber clamps used for conduit for a mount on the flashlight, might do the same for the handlebars too.

Sorry for being silly about it all with my ramblings and thoughts and measurements. I am just bored at work.
I can see how it would seem sarcastic.

I am going out tomorrow and buying 3 or 4 more of these Duracell Durabeam Ultra flashlights, for all of my bikes.
It only takes about 5 minutes of modifications with a rotary diamond cutoff wheel and soldering the wires.
I will make a stylish mount for them as well. I am not sure how I can secure the sliding mechanism for the beam so it doesnt move on different terrain.
 
No no, I was wondering if this is the "Tactical Flashlight" the big deal is made about. Haven't seen anyone with one, but some of the pictures are amazing if they're not doctored. I'm thinking that was expensive for a flashlight, but I supposed it would be worth it if it was for real.
 
Dauntless said:
No no, I was wondering if this is the "Tactical Flashlight" the big deal is made about. Haven't seen anyone with one, but some of the pictures are amazing if they're not doctored. I'm thinking that was expensive for a flashlight, but I supposed it would be worth it if it was for real.
Click to expand...

Ah I see what you mean, I dont know if its a "Tactical Flashlight" or what the big deal is made about. The packaging doesnt mention tactical, maybe its online websites that mention that.

I haven't doctored any pictures except with my awesome Vista O/S Paint program skills - all I know is its an aluminum tube, seems solid, the weight seems normal when I had it unmodified and batteries inserted. I can not find a way to get at the bulb area.

I found online that Costco also sells a 1800 Lumen flashlight, most likely in different markets. The price for that one is significantly higher.

The concern with these types of sliding flashlights is when riding will it zoom in and out, simple duct tape will keep it in place. The other is unmodified they are like a foot long.
 
They've gotten brighter, less expensive, and battery/bulb life is much improved since I bought my last flashlights 5 or 6 years ago. They even make a flashlight/stun gun combo that's really cool. 8) But after two daylight attacks, I went back to pepper spray and blades. :twisted:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top