What wire should I be using for my custom light? Also can you confirm the negative solder point please on the driver

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
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Hi.

So I’ve done a bit more work on my XM-L U2 MagLite. I’m ready to start messing with the driver but realised I needed some more wire. Any recommendations on gauge or type of wire would be more suitable?

Also while we are at it, this is the driver I’m going to be using. As this is my first attempt at this, could someone confirm that the notches (3 and 9 o’clock) are indeed the battery negative terminals on the driver? And if they aren’t where are they?

Thanks.

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Use high temp silicone wire - AWG 22 or 24 - as thick as you can handle (smaller number is thicker) but no need to go stupid. Silicone wire is great to solder with given its high strand count and also is resistant to burning/melting both on the soldering iron and when next to a hot LED/heatsink/driver. It’s also super flexible and easy to bend to your will >)

Example eBay link:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22-AWG-Red-Black-Silicone-Wire-Lipo-Battery-Cable-Highly-Flexible-/300715903019?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&var=&hash=item460410882b

I’m assuming your location is correct on this one :wink:

As for those notches they most definitely are your ground path (battery negative).

Hope that helps!

- Matt

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^This. Matt nailed it.

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Thanks guys :slight_smile: