At the time Richard didn’t offer an e-switch compatible Buck driver. I think he has addressed that now and does indeed have that option, or so I’m told by KawiBoy.
And yes, I machined the emitter shelf to fit the 26mm MaxToch copper mcpcb and move the contact points further out. That helps get the reflector down onto the surface of the mcpcb to get critical focus for a tight throwy beam.
I’m about to build a light very similar to that one using an L2 and Richards driver, with an XHP-35 emitter. I’ll employ a pair of 26350’s and retain the short tube. The L2 should be here tomorrow or Sat.
My WAG would be that they’re using extruded tube with the proper inner diameter and all the work is done on the outside, so what you’d be seeing is the “raw” inner surface of the tube. Just a guess, but it’s how I do it if tube is available in the proper diameter. Saves from having to reach way in with a boring bar on my small machine, that and time.
If your multimeter has a diode function it’s the easiest way to check and you won’t have to de-solder from the MCPCB, just touch the leads to the pads, when correct polarity the emitter will glow low like a moon mode. The meter will have a diode symbol.
Has there been a consensus reached for the battery issue? I want to order and last I checked the thread I thought the “approved” batteries were GTG. Have I missed something?
I have been trying to make a single cell one . I have the reflector , driver and the emitter bit not the host … And i don’t know who will machine the mcpcb place
I don’t think there’s an “official” consensus. As I reported yesterday, I just got an L6 and batteries and everything fit just fine. I’m wondering if there just isn’t a “bad” (double wrapped?) batch of batteries floating around.
That’s what I was wondering too. Might as well go with the increased capacity of 1x 26650 instead of 2x 26350. And cheaper/simpler driver, including retention of the e-switch.
All else equal (emitter, driver, battery), I wonder how a L6 w/ SMO would compare against a L2? Sure it’s a slightly smaller reflector and you lose the side switch, but the L2 is considerably cheaper, readily available in host form, has an XP-sized option, and comes with a SMO reflector (vs purchased separately). Beamshots, anyone?
Didn’t think about that, the one I use for this has the diode and continuity check on the same tap position with no way to switch between the two functions, maybe that’s why it works?
ETA: Just went and dug out a couple of other meters, 2 of the 3 won’t light the emitter or beep, the third does. Never thought about it before as the third is the meter I always use.
Ok, thanks much for the info, missed your post initially, sorry.
Well, JasonWW was right it seems my led was in backwards.
I just installed a new TA driver with Narsil, and kept the wires reversed……it works!!! (Thanks Lexel & Texas Ace).
This is huge, big deal for me, as it was my first real mod, with my extreme lack of soldering skills. It ain’t pretty, but it is functional. Now to figure out how to keep the ramping going in the same direction.
A single cell won’t deliver max power through an XP-G2 due to high forward voltage. Using 2 cells with a Buck driver allows 5.5A or more, which one cell alone simply can’t reach.
Thanks, I did happen to buy 2 of those drivers….so I’ll get to do it again. I may have to get a new Iron, the old Weller 3202b seems to be inconsistant.