First Impressions AA Copper Tool 2.0

Only ever run it with 14500, but would guess much less. I’ll see if I can find a AA around somewhere.

No problem, go for it.

Thanks, I couldn’t remember. :+1:

Thank you for the pictures Jon. It looks like the pill is copper and the mcpcb is (still) aluminum. Anyway is there any coupon for this flashlight at nealsgadgets?

Also, does anyone have the Nichia 219c version?

The mcpcb is a copper DTP (i immediately swapped that ugly XPL2)

Codes from lumintoponline.com
Tool AA2.0 Titanium, 18% Off code “LMT2AT”
http://suo.im/5JhnR4

Tool AA2.0 Copper, 20% Off code “LMT2AC”
http://suo.im/5ueYdi

great info Yokiamy,
and thanks for the codes

question about PWM
when I wave the CuTool AA I see NO Dots!, so no PWM

Im interested in the TiTool, particularly the all Ti version, but zeroair says it has PWM

can anyone confirm or deny (he uses a scope, I dont know the frequency) Im specifically asking if the PWM is visible when waving the all Ti AA Tool

Received a new Tool AA Copper w stock XP-L HD
factory spec
3.7, 28, 140, 270 lumens

output on my meter, on Eneloop AA
3.7-24-115-280 lumens

after mod to sw45k AA Tool
new outputs on eneloop:
1.5, 12, 58, 190 lumens

==
Tutorial
modding sequence to change LED

open the head:

unsolder the mcpcb:

===

choose replacement LED, in this case 219b 4500k 9080 sw45k:

hotplate at 200C to remove stock XP-L HD:

add solder paste:

place new LED with correct polarity position:

===

after putting on hotplate the LED centers itself, tap out excess solder

remove excess solder balls, verify correct polarity with continuity function on DMM

add thermal paste to the pill shelf:

solder mcpcb w new LED back in place:

verify it works:

===
reinstall reflector:

Pat yourself on the back.

Note… the beam was disgusting, with a thin ring around the hotspot. I removed the stock centering ring, sanded down, and trimmed to fit, a butterfly shaped centering ring to half thickness… shimmed up under the mcpcb by .5 mm using thermal tape, and fiddled to get the reflector to center the LED. Much better.

Before:

After:

Outstanding!

thank you
today I received a couple of AAA Tools, the xp-g3 is my next challenge.

Use barely any paste if there is already solder on the pads. Like 25% of what you used. I also clean the top of the older solder with alcohol first to remove old flux.

For this mod it’s probably overkill but you can get blobs that stick and block the ring, uneven/not level LEDs or just less optimal thermal connection for hot rod builds and multi emitter lights.

LED wires look good you seem to be getting quite comfortable with this stuff. Bravo

thanks
yes, Im having fun yet :slight_smile:
flux on the solder pads is my key to shiny solder joints

agree 4x too much solder paste
solved when I tapped the LED during reflow,
about 4 solder pearls shot out
plucked them free before things cooled and stuck solid

alcohol cleanup works nicely on the warm parts, to remove flux

I still wish I could get a better beam, the 219b is not an ideal match for the reflector.
an LH351d would probably work better.

tool2.0

yes , better

congrats
were you able to use the stock centering ring?

I could not, this beam is with a customized centering ring (thinner)
it looks OK in an overexposed photo:

but at a certain distance the center of the hotspot is dimmer than the corona… hard to capture… maybe you can see a hint of what I mean:

basically the hotspot changes size and gets larger, with a bright outer ring, and a dimmer center, as distance is increased

amd the hotspot gets tighter when moving closer:

Im probably just being way too picky, based on wall hunting
in actual use, it has a nice wide working beam

Nice, i got one too swapped with a LH351D as well.
Have a Ti as well, also swapped, but the beams were different, i found out really tightening the head improves the beam.

> i got one too swapped with a LH351D as well.
Have a Ti as well, also swapped, but the beams were different, i found out really tightening the head improves the beam.

congrats on your mods

the stock LED is quite a bit larger in diameter, and taller, than the LED I installed

so my goal was to move the reflector closer to the LED
this might be what your experience with extra tight head is accomplishing also… moving the reflector closer to the LED
but in your case, the LH351d is not as small as my 219b, so it probably does better with the stock centering ring,

I cant be happy with the stock centering ring… in fact, I generally am not happy with xp-l reflectors, when I go to 219b. Due to the overly large hole at the base of the reflector.

yes, but know i’m waiting for an op reflector http://kaidomain.com/S021651-15_8-x-8_8mm-OP-Aluminum-Reflector?search=S021651 and someday a better clip? :cry:

I hope your reflector test proves useful

it woul be great to find a captive clip, like this one for the AAA Tool:

I may try that one in my Ti AAA :wink:
Gotta see if I find them available without having to ship from the US.
Nice one Jon :wink:

Here is the clip on a Tool AAA Ti.
$9 for two shipped (just got another Tool Ti to go with the second clip).
Very nice.

congrats
thanks for the great photo
me want

I know it’s an old thread but tried discount code and no luck… anyone know of 20% off codes for the copper? Wouldn’t mind a code for the TI as well. Thanks!

+1