First time SRK build tech help!

LED Flashlights – General Info
8

First off does your SRK even have XP LED footprint LED’s in it? I have only ever had 1 SRK with 3535 footprint. The rest are all XM-L 5050 footprint.

Second DO NOT install XP-L2’s or any other low Vf LED onto the SRK 3535 MCPCB, they will die instantly. I have now killed 3 separate sets of 7 emitters trying this, they WILL die. I finally got some XP-G2’s to live in it.

If it is using 5050 footprint LED’s then you are still stuck with the older XM-L2’s but I have had great luck running them on the stock mcpcb with an added shelf to keep them cool. Just adjust the wire length and thickness to limit max current to around ~3A or a tad more.

9

Crap!! Just pulled the SRK apart and the emitters are measuring at 5mm. I just screwed the pooch didn’t I. :person_facepalming:

10

I’ll have to order new emitters next week! I’m into my flashlight hobby for over 900.00 this month alone! Crap crap crap. :person_facepalming: I hate waiting on doing a project. I bought 8 of those XP-L2 V5’S.

11

Thank you Texas_Ace, I did not even think of that :person_facepalming: That would have been a costly experience.

12

Oh well, you can use the L2’s in some other lights. I am really liking the L2’s in my other lights if you don’t do a lot of white wall hunting.

What you want are some basic XM-L2’s in the tint of your choice. I have an 8x 3D U2 version that works great and has around 10k lumens with a TA driver (was around 8k with the FET+1 V2). The tint is nice and they work just fine.

13

Thank you Texas_Ace. I think I pooched all my orders :person_facepalming: I have a couple BLF 16mm Copper MCPCB XPL XPE XPG Direct Thermal Path Circuit Board coming that I don’t even think the emitters I ordered will work with.

14

Yeah, the xp-L2 is the same footprint as the XP-G series. They use the 3535 footprint. So they will work fine on those mcpcb’s, Although I am not aware of a BLF brand of mcpcb’s. I have been using the ones from simon (convoy) for all my lights.

15

Thanks again, all just learning stages and I appreciate the heads up big time. I’m looking now on Digi for the right Emitters. That site can be difficult to navigate but I’ll find them eventually.

16

Can you explain why this happens?

17

The 5mm and the 3.45mm foot prints. If you install a 3.45mm emitter on the 5mm board the neg and pos will touch causing it to ground out and boom, no more flashlight.

18

Here is a chart from CREE on the emitter sizes. http://www.cree.com/led-components-and-modules/products/xlamp

19

The 3535 footprint has a very small thermal pad and this greatly limits the amount of heat it can get rid of. This leads to overheating when you put a high current LED on it without DTP.

The 5050 footprint would do the same thing with a low Vf LED, but at this point there are not any out that I am aware of.

20

Not seeing any of the XM-L 3D U2 emitters available on Digi right now.

21

MTN sells XM-L2’s along with lots of others.

22

Looks like Mountain Electronics has the XM-L2 U4 A1 available. Might go with these for now. 4.49 each at 6 emitters. don’t you hate making mistakes :person_facepalming:

23

I like the more neutral tints myself but everyone has their own opinions.

24

Does anyone make custom MCPCB’S that you know of?

25

There are some places that do but why would you need them? They are also pricey of course.

26

Those where the only ones I saw available right now.

27

Just a possibility for the SRK, would be nice to have a single copper MCPCB that fit the SRK. Wouldn’t mind spending 40 or so on it.