Thank you Tom! If i cant get rid of my nm1 white, im going to maybe reflow culpm1 in it. thoughts? i know i will have to adjust the reflector at least.
I'm not 100% clear on all this, but the CULPM1 is what Hank lists as the W2.1, and does take higher currents. I wish I knew more about this driver - I'm not sure if it's limiting amps by either circuitry or firmware, but based on the amps I'm reading on a good cell, it seems like the amps is limited and the amps does depend on the battery. Therefore it's not regulated. In theory they could tweak the driver/firmware based on the LED as shipped, but doubt they are doing that because of these reported results (turning blue, turbo having no change or lower output, etc.)
Amp readings will make things much clearer. Even using the same driver, amps will vary based on the LED as well, because these different LED's have different Vf's.
I can't find any LED tests done on the CULPM1, so not sure what the peak amps are - real world (not spec'd), or what the Vf is, but these djozz tests are a good indicator that the Vf will be low and the peak amps rather high. I'd suspect this driver will be well short of peak, therefore safe to use at least.
In reviewing the CULPM1 specs, it's rated for 8 amps pulsed at 3.5V. I doubt this driver will get it to 8 amps, maybe, but doubtful.
Thank you for this input. The reason I thought maybe it would be an ok option was because of Simons new 8amp driver for the CULPM1 in his L21a convoy. I Thought you or someone else had mentioned maybe a 5 amp max for the ft03 nm1 driver, and considering that made me think of using a CULPM1. Before i saw your input i put in an order with Hank for some deep carry kr4 clips and also ordered a CULPM1 Bare led from him. So, either way in a few weeks I will be reflowing the CULPM1 in this ft03 nm1 white. I’ll let you know how that goes… thanks for all of your probing into this light. I don’t see too many experienced OG forum members tearing into these more “stock lights” like astrolux and Haikelite. It is very helpful for the new guys like me.
OG - that's me, Old Guy 
. Just trying to be neighborly, neighbor. You're just a little ways up on the north side.
Old guy, original G, tomatoe - tomahto.
And yes, i noticed that as well, my neighbor to the “south”. i actually visited your area for the first time last month (been in CT my whole life), beautiful place out there! Took a couple of ferry rides to get there! had a good time.
I am in, thx
Tom E-
I hate to ask so many questions, but did you happen to measure the diameter of the mcpcb?
Looks like the ax seller isn’t helping me, and I’m switching my orange cslnm1 out to red, gonna get the led on a mcbpcb from Simon, hopefully. Just not sure which size, I will tear apart eventually so no big deal if you didn’t, but figured I’d ask so I can order it.
Thanks again!
Hhmm, not in my notes. Not even sure if the screw holes are compatible to standard MCPCB's. It's probably 20 mm from the looks, but I'd have to check, hopefully this evening.
so am i correct in saying that OSRAM emitters are just pure throwers, no spill at all? cuz i was comparing this to a regular ft03 with sst40, and its almost the same amount of kcd. and the sst40 is already more throw less spill than my xhp. so the mini with osram might not be the same light to walk the dog with?
NM1's are all about throw, period. Forget-a-bout lumens, tint, CRI, above or below some line... -- throw. In a reflector light, of course there's spill but not much brightness, and the hot spot is intense, small and can go some distance.
hm…ok, sounds like a thicker laser basically…nice
Yea, we call it a pencil beam. But it's actually a pretty good match for this FT03 Mini with it's deep reflector. The spill area is narrower than most lights. For dog walking, depends. If you are out in some open country you may want to see what's goin on a 50-100 meters out, but if you want to light up an area in close, not a good match.
Dedicated thrower LED's like these have no domes, domes are for losers, uh I mean flooders. The XPL-HI, XHP35-HI, SBT90.2 are all thrower LED's. If we want to turn a SST-40 into a thrower, what do we do? We cut off that dang dome!
well i have a ft03 xhp50.2 for now, it does both, some flood, some throw, so i think this is more suitable for dog walking, but i do still want a thrower light. so between those and the osram nm1, which one is the best? what are the differences?
Well, it gets complicated. The OSRAM's have a wide variety now, even in white. There's W1, W2, W1.2, W2.2 (these tags are getting confusing...).
The SBT90.2 is relatively new and has high lumens (~5500 max) as well as excellent throw, decent tint even at ~5700K. It's expensive, around $45, can pull 25 amps, has a hugh hotspot, and can be driven by a simple driver (3V FET based) - no pencil beam. The XHP35-HI is a 12V LED, about 2000 lumens max, and available in an assortment of NW tints.
The XPL-HI has been around a while, lower output of ~1500 lumens max, but really like it's beam pattern in NW tints - they are milky white with no tint shift in the beam.
As far as max distance, the NM1 (W1) or newer W1.2/W2.2 (??) are the best, where the ".2" signifies 2nd generation.
ok, and iirc, w1 is pure throw, and w2 has a bit of spill, right?
I'm trying to compile all relevant info on the current OSRAM throwers. I want to fill in a lot more, like manu ratings and BLF tested results. This is what I have so far:
Color - Part # - footprint (LED surface) nickname Max/Pulsed Peak Output (A)
White – KW CSLNM1.TG – 3030 (1mm²) W1 3/3.3A 4.5-5.0 A
White – KW CSLPM1.TG – 3030 (2mm²) W2 7.0-8.0 A
White – KW CULNM1.TG – 4040 (1mm²) W1.2
White – KW CULPM1.TG – 4040 (2mm²) W2.2 6.6/8A ~8+ A
Red – KR CSLNM1.23 – 3030 (1mm²) W1
Blue – KB CSLNM1.14 – 3030 (1mm²) W1
Green – KP CSLNM1.F1 – 3030 (1mm²) W1 3/4A 6.5 – 7.0 A
Green – KP CSLPM1.F1 – 3030 (2mm²) W1
Yellow – KY CSLNM1.FY - 3030 (1mm²) W1
OSRAM Website links
The W2 has more lumens, less max throw from the W1. The W2.2 has more lumens and maybe about the same throw as the W1 -- not sure of this, but seems like the W2.2 is maybe the best one available.
wait it looks like PM1 is the farther throw one?? wth, i couldve sworn it was NM1
2nd generation PM1, not 1st generation. And again, not sure of this. Actually Hank has comparative throw #'s published for these in a K1, but not sure if the amps are fir the peak throw.
OK, just checked - definitely a 20 mm MCPCB. You'll have to work out the screw hole issue (smaller than normal cutouts). If it's a problem, you could always leave them out.
This is very helpful, thanks Tom! I have a drill press and variety of tools, I will assess the situation once I get down to brass tacks. Gonna find a cheap hot plate, and once I get the CULPM1 from Hank I’ll be doing my first reflow. I’m in the process of seeing if Simon has a 4040 mcpcb only for CULPM1 (that’s why I appreciate you measuring it!) Incase the polarity (?) doesn’t line up when I take off the NM1 from the ft03 mini mcpcb. Any thoughts on this? I will probably need a new mcpcb bc I’ll be going from nm1 to pm1 (3030 to 4040, if I’m thinking right) right?