Howdy- Thanks for running such an informative site. I am new to the site as well as somewhat new to the world of flashlights. My brother who recently passed had a Surefire 6P flashlight that I would like to resurrect for sentimental reasons. It appears Bill (my Brother) had bored out the body slightly to except a 18650 unprotected battery but the existing drop-in is not working. I have spent a several hours on the site learning the terminology and searching for a replacement parts. Unfortunately, I think I may be looking for a unicorn - or a thing of the past. I would like to use this light strictly as an interior tool. No need for a gazillion lumen that seem to be so prevalent today. The original Xenon bulb was rated at 65 lumen with a good flood so I was thinking 100 lumen would make a great bulletproof kitchen drawer flashlight. I love to tinker and seeing as though I already have a drop-in I can disassemble, I went looking or a single mode driver and led to fit the p60 shell. With all the hunger for high lumen, it doesn’t seem a single mode, low voltage driver for use with a 18650 exists any longer. Nor a low lumen drop-in. A few questions if I may.
Is a driver of 2.7 to 4.2v a better choice than a 3v-9v if 18650’s are used ? ( I have other 18650 devises so this is my battery of choice - no CR123A)
What does a multi mode driver do in a host without a clicky switch ?
Might anyone have a recommendation for a driver and led to meet my needs ? Single mode with low lumen. Hopefully a driver that has low battery protection if possible. (or drop-in)
Option #2 would be to put a McClicky switch in. This would open up my choices but still hard to find a low lumen solution.
I probably should not get into this hobby as I always get carried away with new play toys. I already have a couple of Convoy S2+ on order.
I got a good deal on a 6P LED 80LM light back in 2011 and added a Redilast 3 mode, 1.5A P60 that works well enough. You change modes by closing the tailcap and then loosening it.
I run protected 17670s in it, which are just 1st. Gen. Sanyo 16650s and it works well enough, although I never carry it, since it’s just too big with no pocket clip.
You want a drop-in with a 4.2v driver, which is what the 18650 hits, hot off the charger.
You can assemble a P60 drop in yourself too.
I would probably get a Orange Peel reflector and a Luminus SST-20 LED.
You can use a 4 group Nanjg AK 47 driver (with 3x AMC7135 = 1050mA you’re looking at some 400 Lumen max), have it do 1, 2, 3 or 5 modes (5 modes includes strobe and SOS = avoid!)
A switch is highly preferable for switching modes, of course, a reverse clicky switch in particular.
Another, better driver (without PWM) is the LD25 from the Convoy store (AliExpress).
It is maximum 3 Amperes (around 1000 Lumen), it is 3 modes plus hidden (double click) strobe. But you can set the brightness levels for each mode, but it’s a bit fussy.
(You have to hook it up to power and ‘tap’ a PCB trace to minus in order to set the levels)
If you insist on just 1 mode, a simple 17mm PCB with 1 or 2 AMC7135 current regulators will suffice, but that doesn’t have low voltage (over discharge) protection.
Not a problem when you use a protected 18650 though, and otherwise you will see it will be less bright so you know you should recharge.
Maybe someone here is willing to assemble a drop in for you if you’d rather not do it yourself.
I could do it, but i’m in EU, but shipping would be € 3.— w/o tracking, but € 17.30 with insurance and tracking (there’s no option in between though…)
You may find other options.
Since your 6p is bored for 18650, you may have some connectivity issue when use smaller drop in such as malkoff device. But the fix is simple usually. Just use a spring (from a regular p60 drop in) or some aluminum/copper wrapping to connect the outside of the drop in to the inner surface of the 6p body tube.
Thank you for all the suggestions- What I am taking from this is that there are few/none low lumen options. I really was wishing for a simple low cost solution- w/o all the clicky stuff. Simple momentary switch Oh well. So- It’s looking like a clickly switch is in order. As much as I would like a Malkoff, putting $90 bucks into this does note seem like a prudent move. I can get the Mcclicky for $20 and a cheap drop-in for $10-12 which may be the best way to go. I will look into the info Jerommel added so building is not out of the question. I have seen drivers rated at 2.7-4.2V but not many drop-in’s. Is the 2.7-4.2V more efficient than the 3-9V options ? Or is it just a battery selection thing. (both drivers and drop-ins) The 3-9 sure are more prevalent. I’m sure to have more questions as I digest this.
sesgum- THX- I have seen the EDC stuff- an option for sure
$90 ?
The Malkoff drop in is $45.99, less a 20% discount for your first order on the mailing list.
And the lifetime warranty Malkoff puts out 100 lumens, which is exactly what you asked for.
Timbo- I apologize, I thought I needed a clicky for that drop-in. I guess I falsely thought these were more for cr123’s They never mention 18650 with their drop-ins descriptions Considered———- mailing list ? found the list
No apology necessary friend.
I have several 6p units that I’ve run Malkoffs for years on 18650 17670 & 16650 cells.
You can run it with your original tail cap which will work as momentary, if you line up the notch in the tail cap with the notch in the body.
P60 was from the day 1 Surefire style but then cheap models came with altered design. Luckily Sportac and Malkoff are designing to cover Surefire. PflexPRO did it also till they went silent.
There is nothing wrong with a Sportaclight drop-in. My single mode XM-L2 version has been serving me since I bought the 6P. And has never failed me. Downside is that it is a bit more powerful than what you asked for. But you can adjust that with a diffuser.
That feels a bit like the missus going to Walmart in a Mustang with 4 disconnected sparkplugs
I already have a couple of Convoy S2+ on order.