glovebox flashlight upgrade with LED and new batteries

[shogun]

how to: http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E32/Torch/Index.htm
No more need to solder a LED in: MES E10 Screw LED Upgrade Bulb, CREE BMW GloveBox Rechargeable Torch Lamp. Brand: CREE MPN: UL-MESE10 Lightbulb Type: LED EAN: 5060451510058
New Improved 130 Lumen Cree XP-G2 S2 Replacement LED Upgrade Bulb E10 MES Screw Bulb Base. Fits in the removable BMW Glove Box Rechargeable Torch/Flashlight with the screw-in , bulb Torch Part No. 63316962052 (see picture above) Series 3, 5, 6, 7 & X3 X5 Models Produces a wide flood pattern beam, Universal interchangeable fitting for devices between 2v to 9v with MES E10 screw bulbs, Versatile: can be used in other equipment with 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 AAA, AA, C or D cell alkaline & rechargeable or 3LR12 batteries & Sealed Lead Acid batteries - Voltage range: 2v to 9v, 1 Watt Lifetime LED Bulb gives you much longer battery life! Produces a much brighter light than incandescent Krypton/Xenon bulbs. Overall bulb length: 22mm . Diameter: approx. 9.8mm at the top and 9.2mm at the bottom screw part.FEATURES
•Superbright 130 lumen 1 watt output LED
•Extends battery life
•Consistent bright white light even when batteries are low, much nicer than the yellow hue of filament bulbs
•Electronics inside each bulb regulate the power from the batteries to maintain a non-dimming light
•Lifetime bulb rated at 50,000 hours use, never buy a bulb again. The incandescent lamp lasts about 20/30 hours
•Helpfully our LED (unlike many others) is NOT polarity specific. It will work whichever way the batteries are connected and if they are reversed in error. Many LEDs only work with the batteries one way around; ours works both ways so no re-wiring is necessary and which is not always possible
•Works with Alkaline, NiMh and NiCd (rechargeable) batteries
•More reliable & dependable: shock resistant, not like easily broken incandescent bulbs
•Easy to fit, a straight swap - utilises the original reflector. Beam patterns will vary depending on the type of reflector used, BMW owners have told us it is much brighter than the bulb it replaces.
Ebay seller: Rapid2You eBay item number: 222040284934

The difference between normal bulb and this new bulb
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y446/CroughtonE32/4_zpsfzpav4bd.jpg
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y446/CroughtonE32/2_zpsnnvfcblp.jpg
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y446/CroughtonE32/3_zpszjp2m9b0.jpg
Link to Ebay http://stores.ebay.com/Rapid2You?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

[genphreak]

Nice write up. I've done this a few times, but decided that next time I'm going to try to use another type of torch altogether, one that has a magnetic base and an LED head that can be set to any position, this would be better for bad situations like getting in trouble at the side of the road in the night.

Would be best to modify/remove the glovebox socket to suit something new, perhaps a USB socket or something- but it can't be LiIon as they are not stable enough- NiMH seems ok, though NiCd is better if you live in a cold climate. The trouble with all batteries is they don't like temperature change and only last. NiCd is by far the best for high diurnal range applications, especially the cold. Changing to NiMH gives you more capacity but less service life. Not sure I'll ever be keen enough to leave a Li-Ion battery in the car all the time. Here in Oz, a car can hit 90 degrees CENTIGRADE if left in the sun. Batteries, glues, rubbers, plastics, it all just dies.

[rbrickman]

Nice. Might consider this upgrade on my car also.