Triple XM-L P60?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

Just wondering if the parts exist to build one? I know it could never be driven hard due to the heat but I wonder how it would do with output and heat sag when splitting 3A (1A to each emitter) vs, 3A to a single XM-L? Just looking at Match's XM-L testing I'm seeing 392.1@1A which gives a total 1176.3 emitter lumens with 3 emitters vs. 881.4 for a single XM-L driven at 3A. I'd also have to assume there would be less heat generated and less output sag due to the emitters being more efficient at lower current.

Am I missing something here?

Thanks,

Tony

2

It would seem like the physical limitations of the P60 diameter would be the biggest barrier. Just not enough space. But I would definitely buy one if they somehow figured it out! :)

3

well there's a triple xp-g p60 drop-in..xm-l's are a bit bigger but not a staggering difference..i'm sure it could be done and i'd love to have one lol

4

$148 for the triple XP-G! Wow! Sounded real good until I saw that price!

-Garry

5

It would be interesting, but really you are not going to notice a huge difference between 1100 emitter lumens and 800 emitter lumens, not enough IMO to justify the large price difference.

6

How close are we talking pounder? Could I reflow XM-Ls onto a star intended for 3 XP-Gs? I'd be willing to try this if I could source the parts. Right now I'm seeing the star and optics as being the big issues. The driver I have on hand and I'm pretty sure I could come up with a reasonable copper heat sink out of plumbing bits from the hardware store.

7

But imagine the "turbo" mode. If we could find the right driver with a time or heat limited turbo mode you'd have a very bright light with a few seconds of insanity at a time and all that wrapped in a P60 size package.

Edit: also there seems to be a large amount of sag in output as heat builds up with a hard driven single XM-L. I'm hoping that driving each emitter easier so they're more efficient would help with that.

8

True, good point.

9

Optics would be the immediate issue, as there would be little room for three reflectors of adequate diameter.

A smaller version of the Ledil Cute 3-up optic would need to be cast.

Let me see if the XPG 3-up version can be enlarged to accommodate the XML. Of it works, then it's only about $150USD to have a custom MPCB made.

10

that I wouldn't know..I doubt you could use an xm-l with an xp-g star..i've been out of the xp-g game so long and I just took a look at xp-g vs xm-l..it's a bigger difference than I once thought..I imagine you could get 3 of them on a p60 board but it would be tight..

11

Nice! if the XP-G optics can be made to work, there are some tiny carclo triples that might work really well.

12

Oh well, it was a thought. I wonder if the contacts on the bottom of the leds could be insulated somehow to allow them to be reflowed directly to a piece of copper and then solder the wires to the contacts on top? That or as Chicago X mentioned, a custom MPCB could be made but @ $150 for the custom MPCB that kills the possibility of keeping it budget.

13

the other day I was looking at chicago-x's extreme long run triple xml mod and wondering what three emitters behind a FTT setup would look like. then i realized - TERRIBLE - so I stopped wondering

14

The XP-G triple optics I have are right out. The whole thing is far too small.

The triple XM-L optics already have a 'blended' area in the center to accommodate the three XM-Ls. Sizing is already tight.

One could:

* Stack FOUR XM-Ls together, as closely as possible on a piece of copper. A single TIR lens that covers the bundle could be used.

* Same, but use an aspheric. See the Feilong CSM-360 for approximate beam shape.

* Grind the optic and board down slightly for use in a larger M-series head - this would be my approach.

It would require a modification of the Cutter series-wired board (32mm), or more grinding on the individually-addressable German board (35mm).

One cannot grind down the setup too much without losing the centering posts either.

15

I talked to cutter about 3 x XM-L , on one of there 3 x XP-G boards ..

Sounds like they could do it ! Only problem is the lens , there are currently no lenses to fit a 3 x XM-L set up to fit a P60 ...

16

Hmm... So if a person based their triple around one of the LF 36mm mini turbo heads, it could likely be built with off-the-shelf parts? That might be the way to go.

17

Tony, which P60 host do you plan on using for this triple (if it is possible)?

I have a SolarForce L2P and I also want a triple XM-L, but plan on going a different route. I want to purchase the SolarForce MasterPiece Pro-2 head, and make a custom drop-in and use a reflector similar to the SkyRay 3800 or TrustFire 3xT6. The bigger MPP2 head should be able to handle the extra heat, and then you add a driver which could drive the LED's at 3A each and handle 1-2 or even 1-3 x 18650's.

If we can get enough people interested in this (I recon Foy would want one as well, hehe) maybe U_235 can machine the parts for us.

18

That would be awesome.

19

I have an L2P as well which is what I wanted to build a triple for. I've found that when I leave the house I always grab either my L2T, L2P, or M6 because of the convenient size. My larger lights (M8, MPP1, MPP2) end up sitting on the shelf. My motivation behind this is a triple that I wouldn't hesitate to grab as I'm walking out the door. Something that can ride comfortably clipped into a front pocket.

As for your idea, I've often wondered why SF hasn't built a MPP3. They could go crazy with the "3" theme. 3 XM-L, 3A per led off of 3 cells with a 3 mode driver. An easy way to approach that might be to start with a 3 XM-L drop-in from KD. I've got one on the way I was planning to use in a mag mod but I'll definitely check to see if it will fit the MPP2 head when it gets here.

20

I hear what you say and fully agree. A triple module upgrade for the L2P would be great. Each LED won't be driven at 3A, but it will still be brighter than 1 x XML. And then you can still have the ultimate 3 x XML in the MPP2 on the shelves for when the vampires attack :)