NITECORE TIP MODS?

I’ve replaced XP-G2 s3 with 219C sw40 R9050. Also I added thermal paste instead of glue if I decide to disassemble it again which I already decided. Sice there is small gap between mcpcb and it’s plastic slot there is no much cooling for emitter. I will isolate back side with capton tape and in between mcpcb and it’s slot I will add copper tape and stretch it over whole body. That should improve cooling dramatically! :slight_smile:

I got a $10 TIP CRI.
Wasn’t happy with the Greyish tint, swapped a 219C 4500K that was sitting loose on the bench, doubt it is high CRI but I do find the light to be more practical for my purposes.

Never did take out the rest of the internals. Used fresh thermal plaster to hold the reflector back in.

O yeah, i removed the LED gasket and stuck the reflector holder / head / bezel directly on the LED board with grey epoxy, so it has a better thermal path (with the gasket there was a minute gap between it and the LED board), and with some grease it transfers heat to the aluminium shell.

I know you’ve all probably seen this but I’ll add it here anyway.

Nichia 219C D320 5000K and Red LED with momentary switch.
Replaced glue with thermal paste, potted internals with silicone and copper tape on inside of casing from reflector down.

Yep, seen it, and glad you posted it, more mods we have in one area for a particular light the better!!!

Dont forget to mention the GITD epoxy/resin, can see it a little in 3rd photo

I would like potted internals when mods are done as well, does Permatex blue rtv silicone work well? Or should i pick up some clear stuff that is less acidic?

Less acidic is better.

What are all the advantages to the copper tape? I know it helps heat transfer but is it better for extended time before stepdown? Just longer life in general because cool electrics is happy electrics? Runtimes?

I like it technical lol!!!

These are awesome guys!!! Keep’em coming, i don’t care if it’s just an idea, lets hear it!!!

SWEET! So what are you using, lol? I know if the $100 stuff but what’s best for budget?

Most likely not much at all but there was space for it so I put it in :slight_smile:

I used this stuff but take no responsibility for anyone else using it :smiley:

So here’s the TIP with a clip:

Much better than that chunk of plastic it comes with.

Mine flickers only on medium, any idea what it could be?

Nicely done clip

CRX said-Most likely not much at all but there was space for it so I put it in :slight_smile:

Never hurts to ease the mind a little

CRX said- used this stuff but take no responsibility for anyone else using it

Thankee! And duly noted!!!
I dont have a sig line but was thinking of something to put down there that limits my liability lol!!!

Super job!!! Im def. gonna put a clip on it, mines first gen so didnt get a clip at all!

I like that clip! My TIP plastic one went in the garbage on day one.

It matches my Leatherman PST. Clip came from a SK98, replaced where the lanyard loop was. EDC the PST for more than 25 years.

Good to know i ain’t missing anything with the new plastic clip lol! Nice Leatherman mod as well! Awesome to know the original leatherman PST is still goin strong after all these years! Love my Black Charge ALX, it’s used daily for one thing or another.

Jerommel - x3 great clip, will have to see if I can find something similar.

CRX - x3 I think your mod is the ultimate.

Gray - Even the CRI wasn’t warm enough for my taste, so I took a cool tint one I had and stuck in a 4000 XP-L HI. Now my TIP rivals many of my larger lights.

Like others I also found the thermal heatsinking wanting. Most of the internals are plastic and the primary path for heat from the emitter appears to be from the emitter/board -to the reflector -to the shell. So I Arctic Adhered all three areas, almost potting the reflector, to help with any possible heat issues.

Awesome info! Im either goin with highest cri i can get or the xpl-hi, not sure yet. I bet the HI in such a little light looks ridic!!

Whats the runtimes for the HI TIP now?
Are there different reflectors available somewhere that will fit the TIP (SMO, OP, TIR)?

I have both the original TIP CRI (neutral) and recently ordered a 2017 CRI in the hope that it would be warmer but it was similarly (cool-)neutral, which was the reason I swapped emitters. (The host for this swap was a cool TIP version, my CRIs remain as is.)

Runtime/battery life don’t appear to be affected by the swap from XP-G2 to XP-L HI. (Although I’ve never run my battery out before a weekly recharge.) FWIW, both emitters have similar V-fs with the XP-L putting out maybe 10+% more lumens for the same power.

As for throw, while there might be a marginal gain in a (slightly) tighter hot spot with the HI, the TIP is not a thrower because the reflector is simply too small and shallow. AFAIK there aren’t any retail replacement reflectors for the TIP; it’s smaller than those of any of the throwy AAA lights I own.

A TIR might be a good option but keep in mind that the thermal transfer path for the TIP involves the reflector, one would need to create a new thermal pathway for heat to escape from the emitter.

Looking forward to seeing more of your TIP journey.