.
It all started with discovering here on BLF that Lexel made a better driver for the Haikelite MT07 Buffalo. Same light that was entered in the Old Lumens Flashlight Challenge 2019. So I ordered the 12v 6amp driver, the stock driver is 6v. The problem started when I could not find a 36mm 12v mcpcb, so I modded the existing one, and my first attempt was poor. And I’m pretty sure the re-flow was poor to boot. I did find the Haikelite store and ordered 2 more and try again to modify one to 12v. Also ordered some Kester RF741 No-Clean Electronics Rework Flux 6cc Syringe to help next time re-flowing already used led’s. I am still not sure what caused it to fail, so any suggestions are welcome. Do you think 18 ga between the driver and mcpcb is too big ? Still learning what no to do :person_facepalming:
.
.
.
I accidentally ripped off the top copper trying to bend the wire around the mounting screw. I later realized the reflector would contact the solder, so it was necessary to move the connection outboard and file the reflector to get clearance.
.
These switch wires are confusing, so i found the White and Black were on and off so i onle hooked those up and left the switch leds disconnected. Any help on this would be great.
Thanks, very happy with the result.
I let a colleague copy the pinkpanda spacer from my regular rrt01 on his lathe.
I reduced the optic using a rotary tool.
C8S is a sweet host and that deal that came up from the ThorFire rep on the forum was too good to pass up. Larger driver, tail standing and thumb compatible switch, nice machining.
Since I dislike low CRI CW and since the UV light of the K3 lite is too easily activated, it got a SST-20@4000K (main, for a little more throw) and a 219B sw45k D200 because everything else is red or rosy, too.
Not a nice mod. Fitorch lived up to the RoHS regulation and used leadfree solder. Melted at approx. 230 °C Taking this apart is also not nice
Edit:
Armytek Zippy. The 5000K Nichia 219C is a little tilted. I never before reflow over a candle. May fail or not, LED swap is easy enough for a second try.
Good news for SP40 users: 219B with no beam artifacts
Don’t know if turbo is healthy for the LED, probably not, but color is still ok.
I found out the 17mm forward clicky from mountain electronics will fit a Lumintop Tool AA with some dremeling to reduce the diameter a little bit. I used an old surefire switch boot with no nub and it’s worked great so far.
Also swapped Osram W2s into a FW3A, my first emitter swap. I love the W2 emitter. Love the torch labs clips too. Their 1” clip just took a little sanding on the inner diameter to fit and the Convoy had to be drilled and tapped. The convoy next to the FW3A was modded by Skylumen with an sbt90.