Hi guys first time posting, I am currently working on developing a flashlight and would love some input on components that you guys would recommend. The basic design of the light is a side by side 14500 set up parallel, rectangular body and I’m trying to keep it compact as possible. the light will be a modular design with a space for mounting accessories like a pocket clip and flush adaptors for keymod and mlok for weapons mounting. My head is spinning with all the different styles of drop ins that i have been looking at trying to get dimensions, the things i need help with are:
1. I would like to find a drop in for the led that is complete with the driver preferably in a brass pill that screws in from the front but is as small of a diameter as possible. from my research it looks like the smallest is those meant for a convoy s2 at 21.8mm. is there something smaller that is widely available or is that about it? not looking for insane output or anything crazy either, just simple and crowd pleasing.
2 The tail switch, i would like to have a metal button that screws in from the outside, i like the buttons that thrunite has on their lights but cant find any like it, is there a small metal screw in button that can be easily obtained?
Overall I’m looking to build a platform that has support already so that the lights could be easily modified and customized as well as make it easy for me to obtain the components to build them.
I have seen the Frelux lights, I like them but I have a different design in mind. As soon as i can work out the dimensions of my components i will be more than happy to share my models.
Seems an interesting idea, although I’m not fully conceptualizing it yet.
About the screw in buttons, you have those used in the Convoys with metal button.
I bought 2 here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834352871.html
As for the pills, ready to use, I guess those are the smaller available, and take 17mm drivers.
You have smaller ones, but not in retail, as far as I know.
Lumintop offers a version of the Tool AA, they refer to as the “Tool AA 2.0 HM Homemade EDC Flashlight Kit” that includes a modular LED and Driver drop-on of a sort. It’s definitely smaller than an S2.
“we STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST THEIR USE. Catastrophic failure can occur when one of the two cells is not functioning correctly, causing thermal runaway in the other cell. There is a significant risk of fire and/or explosion when using two cells.“
Don't forget to make a 2x 18650 version at the same time .Seems like if it's a good design then either downsizing it and or upsizing it makes good sense .
I think a slide snap in mount for a bike light may give it some extra appeal as well as open up another possible market .
2xAA side by side done right has always been a bit elusive. yeah it's easy to do it if it's titanium and the light costs an arm and a leg .
The old school plastic lights ought to prove it can be done right .
Thanks everyone, looks like I am going to have to make the pills my self. I emailed mtnelectronics and am waiting to hear back about some of there smaller drivers. I started out wanting to use somewhat standard parts but am no going to make nearly every component in house so that i do not have to settle. the design is changing by the second but as soon as i have it a little closer i will be sure to share.
Thanks for the input everyone, Im moving along with my design and have decided to change the button and that is going to change most of my components. I want to go to an electronic button, the nature of my design just isn’t lending its self to a clicky/ latching button. Now i need a driver capable of running on an electronic/ momentary button with the lowest parasitic draw possible. I see mtnelectronics has a qlite driver that can run this type of switch, any other recommendations? looking to use a cree xml2 emitter. Also any sources of good electronic buttons? They are extremely hard to find.
It most certainly is. Im figuring things out the best I can though, sourcing components is seeming to be the hardest part as none of the parts are made in the us, they are never properly represented on line and their availability is spotty.
What im looking for in a button is really just the outside metal cap/retainer that screws in on side button lights. I can set up my own tactile switch underneath i just need a screw in metal cover/button.
