Convoy L2/L6 modding thread

Got a new Convoy L2 in today, XM-L2 NW, almost 1000 lumens on a single cell. While I really really dig the dimensions on the single cell beauty, I had something else in mind. :slight_smile:

I did some machine work on it to fit a 26mm MaxToch mcpcb onto the shelf, loaded a XHP-35 E2 3A emitter on it, bored out the driver bay to take Mountain Electronics MTN Buck driver at 27.5mm and 2.5A for the 12V emitter.
No tail spring bypass and with a rigged spacer as the cells are a bit short (I’m using 3 extension tubes, 4 Basen 26650’s) It’s making…

0.01A for 2.59 Lumens
0.05A for 71.42
1.03A for 1193.7
2.42A for 2352.9 and 2270.1 at 30 seconds.

Edit: Lux is 258Kcd for 1015.87M throw. :wink: Not fantastic, but not too bad either.

I machined inside the head and outside the reflector to allow the reflector to sit deeper, used Simons taper centering ring he designed for the XP-L, works great! Kind of a Convoy tribute to the old 4 cell MagLite of old. :smiley:

(had to double up on some pain meds, made it through pretty well, covering the lathe back up in the shop is a major pita though, ugh!)

Yeah, that’s too high a range. You’d need to switch to milliamps. Maybe one of your other meters can read it.

Nope, with your tactical setting you won’t be able to measure it as it will turn on in turbo mode as soon as you connect power. Don’t try it! You’ll blow a fuse.

My FX30 when switched off at the side switch draws 1.45 millamps. I keep the rear switch on only at work and recharge the batteries every week and I haven’t noticed the drain at all.

Is that the xhp35 HI version?

Some of the factory big dog throwers are getting triple that CD. Maybe the reflector is just not optimized for it? A little too small, not quite the right shape.

Yes, it’s the E2 3A HI XHP-35. I’m only pushing it to 2.42A, and it’s in the smaller Convoy L2, so hardly comparable to the ginormous TN42… not in size nor in price level. :wink:

The E4 bin is 20% brighter and of course if pushed harder there’s more to be had out of it. My TN42 was bumped and it didn’t quite do 3 times this (712Kcd, not 774), but still, it’s an exceptional light and not matched by many, if any. When it comes to putting it downrange, diameter of the reflector is mega important, and of course depth has it’s part in the equation as well. 88mm vs. 52mm, not really in the same class, and nearly $200 vs $65? Yeah, well… (no, I didn’t pay $65 for the L2, but the driver and emitter and larger mcpcb come into that price)

I’ve built a lot of lights, some of them on the larger side, and 700Kcd just is not an easy target to hit! I got 665Kcd from a Olight SR-90 Intimidator, wasn’t easy there either, large reflector or not.

Anyone know if it’s possible to get a replacement reflector for the L2? OP reflector if possible, but stock SMO would work too.

Reflector’s external dimensions ?

Jensen, just send Simon a message on his AliExpress store site, he’s a great guy and will more than likely fix you up.

Really liking this Convoy L6 set up with Texas Avenger + Narsil ramping. Really easy to fine tune the brightness to virtually anything you want. Side switch, on & off has memory from wherever your last ramp position was. From any ramp level you can even double click to turbo, then single click off, then back on and it goes back to your previous memory level. That’s cool.

Think I’m gettin spoiled.

I think this is a great result. I’m planning on playing with the H2-C single cell boost driver in the L2 to see if I can make it put out 2.5A. I’m planning on changing out the inductor for one with less resistance.

Here’s a quick comparison of the Convoy L6 with SMO reflector and xhp70 with the dome on and with it sliced off.

The sliced dome looses you 14% to 18% of lumens, but you gain a more intense focus which means longer distance. Slicing the dome also helps to reduce the donut hole some.

The smaller emitter size with the dome removed directly translates into a smaller hotspot.

Hello friends, I have a problem with my L2, I have it mounted with XP-G2 S4 2B and in direct drive and only managed to get 2.70 A (tail). Eh disassembled everything and tested the carried from a dissipating base (photo) and just arrived at 2.75A. Also tested with another XP-G2 dedomed and the same, some imagines what is my problem ?? The batteries are 30Q and a full charge is charged

Did you use this same set-up to test the amp draw when this emitter was in your L2, if so try shortening your leads! To about 3-4 inches, see if your draw go’s up?

Thanks, that’s right, I used the same system, I shortened the cables to 5 cm and I still with 2.75 / 2.80 amps, the same with the other XP-G2, this problem does not let me sleep …

Make sure your multimeter didn’t accidentally get switched over to metric amps. :confounded:

Your never going to get a decent reading with that setup. Some multi-meters get close, some never do. If you really want to know the amp draw you’ll need a clamp meter.

Another good and inexpensive way to accurately measure current is to use a shunt. It is basically a piece of wire with a known resistance. You complete the circuit with the shunt and measure the voltage across the wire and calculate the current. The one I use has about 10 mOhms resistance, which works well for me because this is a typical resistance of a tail switch with bypassed spring. You do have to accurately measure the resistance of the shunt, but this can be done pretty easily if you have 2 DMMs, one to measure the current through the shunt and one to measure the voltage across it.

It’s your meter then.

Stock L6 N4 1A, just removed the driver and soldered the 30mm T/A Narsil Tactical made by Lexel to the stock leads and switch wires, on 2 Basen’s….

At 30 seconds… It’s not a P2-1C 18awg leads on 2-Sanyo 20700A’s but it’s not too shabby for a straight up driver swap!!

Narsil ROCKS!!! :smiley: :+1:

I just put a de-domed XP-G2 in a Jaxman X1 and built a 22mm Mtn FET driver for it, with bypassed springs and a clamp meter and using an Efest 3500mAh cell I only get 3.51A at the tail. I’m thinking the emitter has a very high Vf…

KB thanks for the pics!!