Brian McCoy

Well, I hit up a Batteries Plus last night looking for my own solution. I'd found out that the Radio Shack LEDs like more juice than your other varieties (4.5v, actually) so I was looking to stack a 1.5 with a 3. I picked up a CR1620 3v and a 344/SR1136SW 1.5v. Quickly stacked them to see if it would work, and it does (though the LED would run fine on 3v, it's dim).

I ran into a problem with the CR1620 in that it's about a mm to big to fit in the stock key - so since it was a trashed spare I was working with, I broke out the dremmel with a drum sanding bit. A few seconds, some burnt plastic smell and dust yielded an opening that fits perfectly. As luck would have it, the total height of the 2 batteries is almost exactly the same as the stocker - so no shimming required. I'm not happy with the way I have the contacts laid out in the key (I'm guessing the + lead will break off soon with the way I have things rigged) - but this was just a temp run. I'm not sure I like the blue LED, so I'm considering ordering a 3v white and trying to find a higher mA 3v for longer life.

Just one more experience.

jason952

<a href="http://www.ledsupply.com" target="_blank">www.ledsupply.com</a> is where I got a 9000mcd white led. it'll be here soon....

Jason

ArcticCzar

I've been using an 1100mcd l.e.d. and two 1616 lithium buttons for about eight months now, and it is still EXACTLY as bright as the new ones I'm making. When I tested it recently, the batteries lasted for over 36 hours straight. But the lithiums will last a lot longer if they're only used in bursts. Jason952 - I fear you'll be disappointed with that 9000 l.e.d. The viewing angle is only 20 degrees. That's pretty pin-point; it won't act as a flood. I've experimented with easily over 50 different l.e.d.s, and found the good ol' (most expensive) Radio Shack 1100 is the "brightest".

jason952

yes, thx for the warning, we'll see, although the current 30 deg. one i have now is pretty cool.

Jason

Paul C 944

What about the radio shack blue 2600 would yuo expect it to be brighter?

Blue 2600 MCD intensity, T-1-3/4 (5mm) size LED

$3.99 Brand: RadioShack
Catalog #: 276-316

Wavelength: 468 nm (typ.), Type: T-1-3/4 (5mm), Lens Color: Clear, Viewing Angle: 30°, If mA: 20 (max.), Vf: 3.7 (volts typ.), Vf: 4.5 (volts

ArcticCzar

I'm certain I've tried it. I went to Radio Shack and just got one of everything. Right now, white and blue l.e.d.s are in their infancy. As good as they are now, Philips and H.P. are making incredible strides in improving them.