16 grams...My beefiest pill yet!

Just completed another Micro "Mac-Light", this one for another BLF user. This time I added even more copper to the pill than the last three I made. There are 3 extra layers of copper added to the center of the pill for the emitter. One on the top under the emitter star and two under the emitter base on the inside of the pill for over 4mm of copper. The threads are filled with copper wire and any empty space is filled with solder. Fully potted this baby weighs in at 16 grams. Heat transfers almost instantly into the head of the mag light. Extremely efficient!

2A 5-mode driver

Here you can see the perfectly centered XM-L in 3C neutral tint.

Just wanted to share. Thanks for looking!

Johnny

If it wasnt for the price of the mags over here I'd buy some for modding instantly. Your work is quite inspiring JohnnyMac. TY

Cool

Looks and is Another Great Job Well Done!

Cool! Now I see which driver you're using!

-Garry

nice job, they keep getting better.

so, you're adding copper inside the pill, right? I'm wondering what size the space is in there. I've got some copper rod here that might be a close fit...

Bravo. Now your operating heat limit is the melting point of the solder you used, eh?

Chinese manufacturers take note, please.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

I never measured the headroom in the p60 pill but I believe it’s around 6mm. Most drivers only stick up 1mm-2mm so you have almost 4mm of space for added copper. I use heavy gauge copper pipe cut, split and flattened to a smooth piece. I then cutout and hand grind a disc to fit snug inside the pill. Repeat and stack…

What do they charge for a mini-mag over there?

Have you measured diameter? I have > 4" of .625" rod. It fits nicely in pill cavities for 17mm driver...you have to force it in w/ with a wrap of foil. 4mm slice would weigh 7g. Let me know if you want to try one - I'd rather not pry my only p60 pill open to find out as I'm happy w/ the driver and its soldered...

I don't know about Denmark, but the small 2AA maglite cost at least RM120 over here.

It's about US$40, but really you really don't have to convert, your hundred twenty is similarly comparable to hundred twenty to us (wages, standard of living etc).

So it is prohibitively expensive. Only for enthusiasts.

It would be fun to try it some time. Where did you get the copper rod? I really need to find a good metal supply house near me, especially if I get a lathe soon.

Wow! I can get locally for as little as $7.98 USD. No clue what shipping would be but a USPS priority small box costs $5.35 and as long as it’s under 4lbs it should be the same price for international, too. Might be worth it to have a Yank ship one to you unless shipping to Denmark is more expensive for some reason.

speedymetals - and they were SPEEDY - <36 hrs between payment and delivery.

4" of 5/8, 4" of 3/4 and 2" (maybe 1.5", can't remember) of 1.5" was $45

Is that the pill that went in my little light?

Man, there ought to be someone locally, that sells all kinds of rod stock. If not, try Drillspot, sometimes you can get free shipping on their stuff. They source from all over for the stuff. I have bought from drillspot for all my aluminum stock and free ship. It ends up coming from grainger, but if I go to grainger it’s more money, go figure…

Great to see you doing those copper pills!

I had to think there for a minute. Actually that was the one prior to yours but yours is built exactly the same. :)

Thanks, O-L. Ineed to do something as I am gaining a stockpile of hosts waiting for pills. Shaping, trimming and fitting the copper layers is too time consuming and making the pills is the most time consuming part of the build by far. Being able to slice a section of copper to simply press fit into the pill would be better all around. Once I have my lathe i plan to make the entire pill from copper slugs but the cost of the lights will go up as well but they will be even more rock solid. :)

Sorry for the late reply there JohnnyMac - just saw your Q now :-)

A mini mag is around 120 DKR on sale so thats about 20 USD. But then theres another 10 in shipping :-(

A 2D on sale is about 200 DKR ~ 34 USD on sale.

That is why I dont have any. Used to have a 2AA that was gifted to me. Unfortunately it got washed 90°C together with some bedsheets. It really couldnt be saved after that.