Mixing LED Tints

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

I was planning on getting an xml triple, but couldn't decide on a tint. Cool white has the lumens but are a bit blue for my taste, warm whites have better definition outdoors but are a bit yellow for me, so neutrals should be my obvious choice.

Then I thought how about mixing together all three? The only difference between these LEDS are the phosphor mixtures creating spikes in different parts of the spectrum, so how about using all three to create a "better" neutral tint that covers more of the spectrum than a single type of led can, even a neutral. Maybe this has been done before but I cant seem to find anything on it.

Modders have been adding red LEDs into white LED arrays since the very beginning to increase CRI but how about mixing tints?

Just an Idea! what do you guys think?

2

It's a workable and practical idea, but the manufacturers hope the high-CRI LEDs will obviate the need to do so.

The XM-L EZ-White (really a 4-die package, similar to MC-E) can be ordered with different color temp dies in each quadrant, if desired.

The first light for sale that I recall mixing tints was the uber-pricey SPY 007 Tri-V. Three grand.

3

I wasn't aware that the EZ white xmls could be ordered with a different tint per quadrant, sounds great! For my application however EZ whites (which require over 6V I believe) wont work because I'll be using one 26650.

One side effect of a multi tinted xml triple that I can foresee is some pretty funky looking spill at the edges, depending on how the flashlight bezel blocks the emitter. It should only really show itself during white wall hunting though so no biggie.

4

I thought of the same idea, but I didn't follow through on it because I was concerned about weird spill colours too. Then I thought of getting a 5xXM-L light, and using the "different" LED in the centre position only. Then if the spill is a bit strange looking, at least it'll be symmetrical.

5

Well cutter has this as a recommendation for this 5 xpg optic so I don't see why it wont work for XML's. http://www.cutter.com.au/proddetail.php?prod=cut96

I just don't know how much of a difference one xml of different tint make to the mix when there are 4 others present, worth a try though.

6

I think the more interesting approach would be to have proportionately more current going to either the warm or cool emitter from a neutral base with a ring control.



When you want a warmer beam turn the right one way. When you want a cooler beam turn it the other way.



I suppose you would end up with the same problems inherent in mixing RGB in anything other than a diffused beam and that is each color (tint) would focus at a slightly different point.

7

Those things are fugly... looks like a flask or a cigarette lighter. Maybe when Ultrafire clones one and that would be debatable.

Here's my mix of tints:

3 4500K neutrals and one 3000K warm. Run with 4 Shiningbeam drivers. Works fine, adds a little warmth to the tint and combines nicely. Narrow frosted optics.

I'd pass on using any cool tints if you want a neutral.

The neutrals from LED Supply are the best tint so far from U.S. suppliers I use.

Rich

8

Yea I never quite got the point of the SPY 007, I mean what exactly does it do that justifies that pricing.

That mag mod looks great btw. Yea I guess using a cool white might just wash out the warmth of the other emitters, especially since it will be more efficient. I'll have a look getting cool white on the slightly more neutral side like 2B or something to keep the tint neutralish.

I've realised that this method wont really gain much at all in CRI but it should really help in terms of getting the beam to discern more details and features.