This will be a continuing article regarding my quest for superior night shooting.  Check back periodically as I make changes to my IR light.

Background
We use Sony video cameras because they are the only ones that have TRUE 0lux capability.  This means that the Sony's, when in NightShot mode are capable of shooting video on COMPLETE darkness.  However there is a problem.  While NightShot works great, it relies on a good source of IR light.  The cameras are equipped with IR illuminators but these seldom work much beyond a few feet.

The solution is an external IR illuminator.  There aren't a whole lot of choices out there and they can get VERY expensive.  I don't have a TAPS-like budget so I need to look at the lower end offerings.  Sony makes 2 IR illuminators but both provide lackluster performance.  They will get you up to 10-12 feet of viewing area.  Better - but still not great.  The Sony's will also set you back $100.  While shopping at Best Buy one day we found another choice - The Sima SL-10IR. Thoug still not cheap it is a good bit less expensive than the Sonys.

The Light

The features and marketing hype are as follows:

Capture clear digital footage in low- or no-light situations on your digital camcorder using this infrared video light that features up to a 25' illumination range.

Product Features

• Attaches to most digital camcorders via the camcorder's built-in shoe mount
• Allows you to capture clear digital footage in low- or no-light situations
• Up to 25' illumination range to help keep your subjects in visible perspective
• Antiflicker technology for improved image clarity
• Slim, lightweight design
• Includes 2 AAA NiMH batteries and DC wall charger

So I grabbed one.  Right away the difference is incredible.  The 25 foot range estimate is definately pretty close to reality.  The light is definately worth the money from a functionallity standpoint.  It does however have 3 glaring issues:

1. The battery life is RUBBISH.  45 minutes average and 60 minutes on a good day
2. The charging method is RUBBISH. 8-10 hours for a full charge BUT the charger doesn't turn itself off so longer than that and you run the risk of damaging the batteries.  When it has a partial charge you have no idea how long to charge it for
3. The light mounts to a hotshoe but it's actual mount is a coldshoe so the light can not run off the camera battery

So this is why I set out to modify the light . . .

The Modifications Begin
As stated, it runs off 2 rechargable NiMH AAA batteries.  Turns out these are 700mAh AAAs wired in series, which means the light runs off of 2.4v and has 700mAh worth of capacity.  Not a whole lot in the grand scheme of things.  Also not hard to work with.  All AA and AAA rechargables run at 1.2v so the answer was pretty simple - set the light up to run off AAs instead of AAAs.  I reviewed several other options and the AA method was by far the most cost-effective.

The mod is cheap and easy.  I went to Radio Shack and picked up a 2 AA holder.  They have several to choose from.  Any will work depending on what you want to do.  All are cheap (Under $2).  I went with the "enclosure" since I didn't want to run the risk of the batteries falling out.  The rest of the stuff I used is as follows:

• 2 Rechargable NiMH AAs (The higher the mAh the better - 2850mah is about as high as you will find currently)
• Battery holder - I used THIS ONE
• Velcro adhesive strips
• Heat shrink
• Soldering iron
• Drill and 1/8" drillbit (Something close is fine)

Mounting the battery holder and drilling the hole for the wires to pass through is subjective.  Mount it wherever you want and put the hole wherever you want .  I went through the lower corner of the side of the rear portion of the cover.

Next solder the red and black wires from the new battery holder to the red and black wires that go to the internal battery tabs.  Make sure you remove the included AAAs first.

That is basically it.  Put it back together, charge up your new AAs, put them in the holder and turn it on. 

The Results
Does it work?  Yes.  Does it work as well as intended?  Yes.  Run time has easily doubled for a total cost of about $10 and 15 minutes worth of time.  The chart below is a representation of the before and after results.  Note that the voltage numbers mean nothing in terms of the battery output itself.  What they are is the voltage output generated by a photocell as a result of the light hitting it.