I measure throw from 7 meters normally, but have the option for 12.5 meters. My original GT did not measure more than a few percent different for those two distances (can’t remember the exact numbers). So I expect that 5 meter will get close enough numbers too.
Okay… I was thrown off here by the format Artie used. 1803kcd or 1.8Mcd back calculated from 5m. The way I read it I thought there was a units typo and it was 1803lux @ x meters, which obviously would have to be ten for 2686m of throw. Sorry gents, carry on.
Dunno - maybe because it's a lot of material to ream to convert it. Actually all the stock black centering pieces had holes too big. The one I reamed for the SFT-40 was the best fit one by far. The good thing about the stock piece is it seems to center nicely aligned to the screws. The screws actually down hold anything down. I probably should have put a little dab of silicon glue on the threads to hold them in place.
Actually I got both - A K40, resistor tweaked w/dedomed XM-L2 and a TN31, think resistor tweaked, with a stock domed XM-L2. I think the TN31 is under-performing even for a dome XM-L2, but the K40 does ok but never does as well as a TN31. The thing is I'm thinking I'm not going to be able to get more amps out of those lights, and not sure what amps they put out right now. I'd have to carefully test the amps before even attempting an SFT-40, since they are sensitive, as I'm finding out. Burnt 2 of them out yesterday in a modded 3X221A.
All depends on the amps. If I can get only 6 to 7 amps, then results would be so-so. If those lights can do 8-9 amps, now we are talk'n, but 10+ amps -- watch out! I'm hoping the way the modded driver works, the amps will be the same disregarding the LED Vf, but maybe that's not true - maybe I'll get more amps with a SFT-40 running at a lower Vf. Not sure how it works.
All depends if the amps are the same, how a dedomed XM-L2 compares with a SFT-40.
The 2 I want Modded are stock — I have a K40 modded by Vinh with dedomed XM-L2 (Fiat Lux pdtn led —it was his version of a perfect neutral tint after dedoming) It’s actually my favorite thrower —perfect beam — If I remember correctly (I’m old ) I tested it at 412 k throw — the thing about these two lights they’re fully regulated and heat is no issue
Let me know if you figure something out with the K40 — I’d be interest in a Tom E version — what tint is the SFT 40
It's probably accurate - he experiments a lot with both resistor values/amps, plus focusing because he can invest the time, then turn around and get 10-20+ orders instantly, so can crank out a whole batch on only one effort of experimenting.
He does, or did, the same things we were doing, just on a larger scale.
In the beginning I bought some of his lights before I started doing my own — I bought this K40 I guess 7-8 yrs ago with the intention of putting a special LED in it — My focusing skills leave a lot to be desired — sometimes I get lucky — most of the time on smaller lights —plus now days if a company is not making it , wait a while they will
I updated my TN31 to an SFT40 recently. Old days had shorted sense resistors and a good early days 3A tint XML2 from LED-DNA dedomed running 8A or so. I tried newer emitters over the years included XPL HIs and never matched the performance of the original mod. I was getting 343kcd with that setup.
Tried a 5000K SST40 domed and 7.0A got 261kcd, sliced it and only bumped it to 312kcd. Lovely tint and beam though when sliced.
Next I went to a CSLPM1 from hank and detuned the driver to 7.0A, made 565kcd. Good beam, but rectangular die caused asymmetric corona.
Now I have an SFT40 in from Simon, and have not verified the amps, but thinking its around 9A. I added another sense resistor to the stack that’s in there, but haven’t pulled it out completely to measure with a clamp meter. Perfect beam and 526kcd. Mode 5/6 hits 348kcd Just if it could be 5000K…
I will say that I kept popping tail-board mosfets with the latest setup. Actually went through my whole supply of 5 first stacking 2, then 3. Still blew ’em. Must be some crazy in rush current or something. Now I have an old DPAK 70N02 fet tombstoned in there and it’s rocking out. Gotta say I like this light more than the WT90 to the point I would sell the Wildtrail first.
I keep attempting to take beamshots but photo quality is garbage IMO, I am too ocd to post crap pictures. I’ve been too cheeeep to buy the camera I’ve been wanting, but once I do. I’ll post everything I have.
Last thought I’ll add is that the round YinDing 5050 emitters say they’ve shipped. I’m going test those in this light too. Fingers crossed!