RaceR`s 3xAA P60 host. Price, 8.75$

I used a 3 amp drop-in. Never had it on high for more than 7 or so minutes of continuous use. Did not have any issues. The button is fairly similar to one of the Omten 1,5A switches being sold from FT. If stock switch should say "bye, bye, Ive had it". There are replacement options that could be fitted or be made to fit.

Stock tailcap spring looks quite crappy, so copper braid mod would not be a dumb idea btw.

Right now, I mainly have it as a back-up light. I don't use my P60s that much. And I prefer the complete P60 reflector to this cut one. (The one in my bling AA light is good though, barely cut anything off it). I just like having the ability to put whatever I want in a 3xAA light. :)

Edit: Btw, nice drop-ins! ;) drool....

If cutting down the reflector is a bit fiddly, how much easier or harder would it be to fit a TIR in this light?

Never done it, just curious as to whether it would be a viable option. Or would it be too fiddly making spacers, etc?

If you have accsess to a lathe, cutting down reflector is the worlds easiest thing.

My cut reflector is roughly 18,5mm deep (including threads) and 22,7mm wide.

Im not aware of any TIR optics in that size. The typical TIR optics Im aware of are 20mm wide, and they would fall through the opening in the head.

Edit: Also the P60 reflector is the main thing transferring heat to the head when using a P60 pill.

OK, thanks for that RaceR86

It's a bit hard to tell from pictures alone. So the reflector is actually touching the material of the head just like in a P60 host then? I sort of figured from the pictures in the OP that maybe some heat might be transferred via the spring but I wouldn't have figured it to be much.

I was actually going to ask about heatsinking..... Interesting that you used a 3A dropin and got up to 7 mins on high. Did you ever do a tailcap test to see if it was actually drawing this much as it seems a lot of heat for such a small host?

I owe you guys an apology. I kept walking past this thread without dropping in. Being the quiet night it is I dropped in. I’m glad I did. Its full off modified lights. I like em all thanks guys. It still amazes me what you all turn out with what you have at hand. Its very inspirational. Cheers.

Its only the top of the head that is properly touching the body. If i were concerned about heat I would just wrap it.

No, I did not measure the tailcap after 7 minutes, but (first gen) XM-L + 3 good AA seems to hold fairly high current. In that light, I could not care if output is not perfectly regulated at a constant 3 amps..

I have not used the light lately, I just have it standing ready if I want to put one of my various P60s in it. Its nice having the option of putting whatever I want in a 3AA light, weather it should be a multi-color led, UV-led (soon to be made), a Nichia on copper pushing max output (2A+), or a more regular drop-in...

Actually, my cousin just recently just saw my multi-color drop-in in action and wanted it. Police strobe is cool! ;) So I just took it out the the host, put it in a super cheap black 501B that I had laying around, and then I had a fairly cheap light ready for him at no time. If he was not familiar with li-ion and electronics, I could have just given him the 3xAA light instead. Its nice having options. That is the beauty of P60s. Easy customization on the spot. Having various hosts with various battery types just adds to it.

When that is said, personally, Id take a nice and short 18650 with a a proper reflector 98% of the time.

Yep, the P60 format still has a lot of appeal as far as I'm concerned - for exactly the "mix and match" reasons you describe. Thermal constraints mean it isn't the best choice for super-high output in the hands of the uninitiated but as a general purpose light, it's quite adequate.

I really like the 3AA option and your use of such an economical host makes it all that much more affordable. Good light to hand out to kids for camping and running about. I don't think this Manafont one will replace my 3AA Javelin, but for the price difference I might get a couple just to play with.

Thanks again for sharing.

is the one in camouflage a wf501b? i’m looking for something like that for my little brother but don’t know if there’s any take take AA batteries, he’s crazy for camouflage stuff.

Build thread here.

Nice, inventive on cutting the P-60 reflector, awesome!

What an inspiring mod!
I see you hardly lost any reflector surface, and looks better than most P60 hosts i.m.o.

But this I also have to know:

That little silver one is so extremely attractive.
What is it and where did you get it?
It’s so pretty!

Here you are Jerommel. :)

(btw, it was linked to in OP)

(yes, I see now. Missed that.. thanks)

( no problem :) )

Wait…why does the head look threaded…as in a Convoy S series pill will just screw right down into it

Stock pill is threaded. Body tube is threaded. Which is why the head is threaded.

Its too wide for S-series pill.. Looks like different threads too.

I don’t know how it is on brass, but lately I’ve been using those regular Dremel sanding drums to grind down copper Sinkpads. They take them down pretty quick.

This thread inspired me… kind of, so I’ve ordered one of the SS ZY-123 and the 8W Police… still waiting for them.

In the meantime, I just tried to test fit a P60 pill into a bunch of AA tube style lights, and the P60 pill (with reflector removed) is way too wide diameter-wise, so I was wondering if the heads of those 2 other 3xAA lights are that much wider than normal 1xAA lights?

Just received the ZY-123, and I may’ve misunderstood something. Does the P60 pill just SLIDE into the head? Or does it screw into the head?

The P60 slides nicely into the head once you have modified the reflector. (made it narrower)