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I would just like to say I have now set up a few emergency torches, using the very latest super white LED's (the series Z4004). These have only just come on the market, they use Quantum well theory and emit a "cold " white/bluish light. The LED's are good for 100,000 hours plus. In a 4-cell torch using 4 C cells the LED will operate continuously for an amazing three months per battery set, or charge. Now to make a replacement bulb, take the existing torch bulb and break the glass. Then dig out the "bog" in the base of the bulb, unsolder the two residual wires. Next get a 100 ohm, quarter watt resistor, and join one end of the resistor to the long lead on the LED (this is the positive lead). Cut off surplus wire, and solder the other end of the resistor to the center connection on the old bulb base.

Be sure to position the light area of the LED at the same distance from the bulb base so that the light will be in the same focal point of the torch reflector, for maximum brightness, and focus. Now solder the other end of the LED to the outside portion of the bulb base where the original bulb wire was soldered, re-bog it in cement if you desire, but careful measuring and soldering will mean you will have a well positioned LED without trying to re-cement it. Hey presto you now have an amazing long life light. While not quite as bright as the old bulb, it will last nearly forever, and extend torch batteries by a factor of 100 times. More LED's could be used for more light, and larger D cells would double the time the LED will run. I now have two, and some friends have ordered some from me, thought it is easy to do, and any one can make them with a bit of care (about 15 minutes at most).

Offered by Darryl.

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