This XML T6 looks like a cheap chinese copy. You should replace it with a genuine XML2 or a Luminus SST40. Make sure to use thermal paste underneath the led.
To increase the output you could add one or two resistors on top of the four 1R0 which should be the current sense resistors and responsible for the high mode. If you add resistors be careful because too much current could fry the driver or the led.
If you want higher quality flashlights have a look at Sofirn or Convoy on Aliexpress. Those generic zoomie flashlights are quite bad in both manufacturing and performance. If you are determined enough to put in a new led and driver and maybe some copper to improve thermal properties you can actually turn it into a quite decent flashlight.
The resistors are 1R8 but i guess the advice would be the same?
What kind of flashlight would you recommend? By the time i get a flashlight and swap led, driver and cooling, can’t I just get all those parts and get a flashlight case for that?
I was also thinking of building a flashlight from scratch and I really would like to do that with the XHP 70, but i guess this would be pretty hard because of the high heat output. Any recommendations here?
Yeah, sorry, but any cheapie light that still has “XML T6” on it is likely garbage.
There are so many decent lights out there (even on Amazon) that would likely be cheaper and better vs just trying to mod/replace the driver. Nonzoomie, but look up the FC11 or SC31 if you want a great light with onboard charging.
Anyhoo, before anyone says “Just shut up if you don’t have anything to contribute!” , you can bypass those 4 “1R0” chip-resistors (its “regulation”, if you could call it that) which make up a ballast resistance of ¼Ω with a few more on top, reducing the resistance a bit more.
You’ll still have whatever Angry Blue™ LED is in there, but at least you’ll be pushing it harder.
I just ordered some resistors and i will try my luck.
I really like tinkering with this stuff, so i don’t mind if it doesn’t get me the best experience from the start.
@ forsh how big is the difference between the xhp 50 and the xhp 70?
I already ordered a xhp 70 a few days ago, and i would really like to try it out, I only need a case for it and the convoy c8 only accepts one 18650 cell and i need two.
Now that you have the flashlight you can try to improve it. 1R0 is 1 ohm, 1R8 is 1.8 ohm. Those big resistors in parallel with an R on them can be easily recognized as the sense resistors that limit the high mode. Adding resistors or bypassing them like Lightbringer suggested gives you more output on high.
I would recommend you the flashlight hosts from Sofirn or Convoy as they are manufactured a lot better than any generic flashlights. You can also get the leds and drivers at the official Convoy or Sofirn store on Aliexpress. Assembling those parts is an easy start to modding flashlights.
For the XHP70 you could have a look at the C8.2 host with 10mm reflector led hole on Aliexpress: Link
The XHP70 is difficult indeed because the heat it produces has to be transferred to the flashlight or it will overheat. That is valid for every led though, it is just that the XHP70 produces a lot of heat.
All the XHPs (except for the new’n’special 3V ones) are 6V or more. If you could get a boost-driver to fit, it’d work.
Beware, though, that zoomies in general do not have the best thermal path, so what might work great in a regular tubelight or plunger-light, will likely build up too much heat in a zoomie’s LED.
And if doesn’t have a solid shelf but a “hollow” one (sits on a ridge/ledge instead, big gaping hole in the middle), it’ll be even worse.
If I get this host, is there anything I can improve on it thermally, so it is better suited for the xhp 70?
Or do I just have to get a good host in the beginning and then get a fitting LED?
This host is already pretty good thermally with an integrated shelf and deep cooling fins. You should use a 20mm copper PCB for the XHP70 with a good thermal paste underneath. The driver would need to be 22mm.
I just ordered the host, now it only needs to arrive.
Do you have any Suggestion, Where i get decent cree LEDs, not the nockoffs and Also decent drivers for them?
Can you sugfest me a driver for the xhp 70, or what am I looking for?
Today the resistors arrived. I added 4 of the new resistors on top of the old ones, but i don’t think it did much.
I now measure 1.3A at the LED. Can I add more resistors, or is that too much for the board?
Ok I just kept adding resistors, until the current at the LED didnt change anymore. It runs at 1.75A now and is noticeably brighter. It also gets a lot warmer than before, so i think i will leave it here. The other parts are ordered, I will keep you posted once they arrive.
The XHP70.2 is normally not sold as a bare nockoff, you will find those mostly in flashlights. One source for XHP70.2 is Kaidomain or you can search for XHP70.2 on Aliexpress. For a genuine XHP70.2 in the brightest P2 bin: Convoy flashlight store
The XHP70 needs a driver with 6V and 5A. You can buy a boost driver that is used with one battery (1S) or a buck driver for two batteries. 1S boost driver2S/3S buck driver
Thanks for the answer. I already ordered a xhp70 with driver on aliexpress but i now know, that the driver is too big…
I will order one of the suggested drivers now. Hope they wont take too long to get here.
You would need a 22mm driver. Also, you need to decide if you want to use the C8.2 with the extension tube and two batteries or only with one battery and shorter. You can use a buck driver only with two batteries and a boost driver only with one battery. That is important to know and decide before purchase. Normally it takes a month with registered shipping for parts to arrive.