This build was possible due to the generosity of Dale who generously sent me a quad powered monster X6 along with a few TIR’s and copper stars to suit. Thanks buddy.
Dale may not of approve how this quad is powered as its LD30 circuit board is fed its juice from either a single or pair of AA NiMH batteries to four XPE2 Torch LED’s. It was specifically built to take on my next OS holiday as my last trip 99% of the time I only used a similar powered light with XPG2 3C LED in an 18mm reflector. The quad has a little more light OTF and a few more Lumens to boot. Both lights will be going with me on this trip as the better half will be using one.
Enough waffle. Let the pictures can do the talking.
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This picture bought tears to my eyes after a short that took two days to find gave me a lot of grief.
Left to right in the next two pictures are the above mentioned much traveled XPE2 AA, this light and Dales monster X6 quad.
And finally a front end view alongside the X6 quad. Heres lookin at ya Dale.
First up is the BLF 348 LE. The windmill is about twenty metres away.
Secondly the 18mm reflector, similar LD30 to the quad and XPG2 3C LEDs. this really is a nice little light.
Thirdly is this quad light. There really is not a lot of difference between this light and the one above. I’d love to see this quad with the XPG2 3C leds in it for comparison. One day. On the light meter as mentioned above this light is ahead in light output Lumens wise and OTF.
And finally I’ll let the picture do the talking. It really is that bright. Its downright mean.
Amazing.
I know it’s a boost driver, but I still can’t get my mind around how its powering four XP-E2 with one AA? I try to do the math in my head, but unfortunately, I have a small head.
Did you have to file the 24mm optic down to fit?
What is the other XP-E host, and what are the lens dimensions. I’m looking for AA hosts that take a 20mm optic.
The output is identical with either one or two batteries.Using one battery on a run time test output dropped from a starting measurement of 785 to 737 after seventy minutes at which time my pillow was calling. After turn off the light always starts on low.
I should of mentioned that the MCPCB sits on a solid three mm shelf. The head is all one piece apart from the brass bezel. The 17mm driver is soldered into a 18mm adapter which is pressed into the head.
The clip is a Titanium one from the Rey light, Titanium BLF light, as you could buy extra’s at the time. The long clip I normally use which is on the other AA light here was to long to fit on this light. The Rey Titanium clip works perfectly on this light allowing the light to be clipped to the inside of my pocket.
Tailcap measurements from my totally uncalibrated DMM using Turnigy LSD 2400 mAh batteries were,
Single battery, low .02 A, med .25 A and high 1.58 A.
Two batteries, low .01 A, med .13 AmAh and high .65 A.
The light is slightly brighter on high with a single battery on my light measuring device.
My review on the driver can be found here.
Edit. I should mention that the difference in readings would be attributed to the power supply used during testing and a different DMM used for the measurements.
The LED’s are wired up so they are all in parallel. If the driver is putting out its advertised .5 amp each led would be receiving 1/4 of .5 amp being .125 A. Not a lot hence I’m not sure if this light would be Dale approved.
Of your not the only one with a small head as others here will tell you with the many PM’s I’ve had to other members trying to understand things. :disappointed:
This light was specifically built around this optic. The X^ Monster light Dale sent me was made by him before he had a lathe. He used his exceptional skills to make an adapter to fit the optic into the X6.
The mini C8 can be adapted with a pill to accept the 22mm optic. This uses a AAA battery.
As far as of the shelf hosts go I haven’t bought anything for specific uses like optics etc.
Wth a single nihm on high giving you a tail reading of 1.58A would mean each emitter is running at 0.395A…I think….
Even though that doesn’t seem like a lot, it should push those XP-E2s nice enough, for how long is for you to find out.
I nearly came up with an idea for that quad board today, whilst under the influence of paint thinner fumes from trying to de-dome those damn Oslons…. :confounded:
David is correct. The 1.2 volts of the battery has to be boosted to the voltage the led requires + whatever the voltage the driver need so 1.58 A at the tailcap probably equates to around .5 amp output divided x four as the LED’s are in parallel.
You had me laughing FmC. Did you do any good?
Night shots will be in the first post shortly. Dont scroll down to the last picture to quickly. You know how it is with Dales lights.
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