Thanx CK! Actually I got a couple different types of these switches, so let me try mine first, or re-use the stock one - I need to figure it out, but first I need to order a bunch of these boards!
I agree - this is a nice little light for cheap. For me though, the Lumintop SD Mini is "the" light in this form factor - moddable, smaller, light weight, great reflector, excellent finish, quality threads, quality lens, switch w/LEDs, deep pocket clip, decent price, etc. Of course they dropped it now (sure, get rid of a good thing??), but might still be available though probably pricey.
The modded SD Mini is still in my top 3 of preferred EDC's.
That UV mod is pretty nice too. I broke down and ordered one of the cheapie 50+ UV LED versions to track some rodents that found their way into out house…. Couldnt wait for an S2+ shipped from China.
25 degree TIR
kiriba-ru copper single
H17Fx driver
I think this TIR is probably the most narrow that could be used with the MZ without a donut. I’m sure anything wider or more diffused would be even better but I’d rather use a LH351D/219C/XP-L for anything wider so I opted not to.
My first time using kiriba-ru’s copper single and it’s great as always. Machining is nice, threads fit perfect. Thin ring is buttery smooth
Also first time using H17Fx. I will probably use this again when i’m too impatient to wait for Lexel
The old Astrolux E01 got a Luxeon V2 “upgrade”. It had a 90CRI LH351D before, which had good output but was a bit too floody for my taste even with a shaved emitter. Current is set at 3.05A on turbo, 1.05A regular max IIRC.
I tried something new: I shaved the Luxeon very close to the phosphor, ground the slice marks with 1000grit paper and sealed everything with a blob of LOCA, which formed a very shallow dome (maybe 0.8 mm high). Nice and shiny. (Forgot to take a picture from the side.)
This does not significantly increase the apparent die size (and may or may not help with lumen loss)
Not today, but recently: I finally replaced the Nichias in my D4 with a quad-Luxeon V board from Led4Power. The tint is fantastic (and none of the green my Nichias had), but I may have underestimated the low vF of the Luxeon Vs. The light is fantastically bright, but typically steps down after about seven seconds on max, with a fresh battery. I may also have to re-calibrate the thermal throttling because it gets to the point of being nearly painful to hold, even outdoors in winter...
You can’t imagine what I started today Actually started two mods at the same time. They will be long projects. One involves 3D printing and the other will have lots of lumens. Maybe not Acebeam X70 lot or not even Imalent MS12 but very close I will make a full build thread of both when finished. And video.
Tried to mod a Convoy M1 with a Luxeon MZ - modded a Luxeon MZ from white to blue instead…
For everyone else here who also did a simmilar build - how did you manage soldering?
The DTP board is pretty hard to solder and the reflector of the M1 does not leave a lot of space for a sloppy soldering job…
I had a spare Panasonic NCR18500B and a cutting of titanium tube left over so made an optional extension piece for the CRX CuTi Zoomie Osram KW CSLNM1.TG.
I reflowed an 3500K XHP50.2 in one of my Sofirn SP33’s. I think the original tint is in the 5700 to 6000k range. Probably should have used a 4000k but this one was pretty nice.
Managed to open my Olight S1 Mini Baton (yeah the new ones with recessed blue ring ) without toooo much pain and swapped the cool XM-L2 for a hi-CRI LH351D 5000K.
Here’re the inside works, with replacement board.
The original MCPCB (far right in photo) was smaller (~14mm) and thinner (~0.5mm), so I re-sized a 16mm x 1.5mm copper DTP (far left in photo), to fit (final in center in photo)
In my excitment to finish before dinner I closed it up before taking a pic and I didn’t want to open it again.
But FWIW, here’s the beamshot of XM-L2 Before (on photo left) and LH351D After (on photo right) The ever so slight green is gone and in it’s place is a whole lotta hi-CRI goodness.
The BLF X5 was before my time but I did get one to make up for lost time. It stayed stock for about 2 days.
Old:
X5 w/ stock XP-L HI
26.5Kcd
New:
X5 w/ White Flat
BeCu driver spring
bypassed tail
69.5Kcd
Tail measured just barely above 5 amps w/ a Vapcell 14500. I didnt do any focusing and didn’t bother changing the stock centering ring since the MCPCB and reflector both screw in and the width of the gasket seemed close enough for now. Beam actually has a good tight spot as is.
More adventures with the HarleyQuinn flashing key. The partially assembled driver is now running Anduril. Specifically the tint mixing (Lantern) branch