X-ML de-doming method with 100% success?

Wow! I actually would have expected more out of that little bastage. Considering how well it throws normally I would have guessed at least 120k+ considering the numbers other lights are pulling. I’m betting the wide base reflector reduces lux when you dedome.

If this is even remotely true, it should be easy enough to test. Without the dome of maybe RI ~1.5, the output should drop in half, which is hard to believe given the results here.

Also the RI = 3.7 is of the semi material itself (transparent to the emitted wavelengths), not phosphor layer.

The focus of the dome is evident enough from its shape and >1 RI, and comparison between CREE app note and COS curve as already noted.

Well, de-domed a XML headlamp ( ~38mm reflector), while it still goes I removed a fair bit of phosphor from two of the corners… the pictures can explain better then I can:

Before:

After:

Left to right: P60 XPG at 1A, OP reflector, XML at 800mA in 38mm SMO reflector and Trustfire X9 at 2.4A ( batteries needs recharging)

Smaller hotspot and marginally more intense, still good for all flood as the colour is even (if slightly blue) without the reflector.

I pressed the LED dome lightly against a hotplate for about 10 seconds before pushing it upwards with a knife blade…. I don’t think I let it get hot enough or perhaps I should have heated it from the underside? Going to replace the LED anyway now.

Anyone have specs for the XM-L U3?

Don’t want too much from this little light. Other lights have a (much) larger reflector in this topic where has been measured 120-180-200kcd. So, it’s not fair to compare with them. With an original xm-l it can 45kcd maximum, and this increased to 85kcd, it’s not so bad.
Not so bad??? It’s an outstanding value from such a little light. :slight_smile:

85kcd is really really good result for a single battery light. Not to mention the $15 pricetag (without emitter swap yet of course).

Anyone doing this on Small Sun T13? Nice big reflector there, standard T6 XM-L ready to peel, and with the resistor mod it should really give good result.

I plan to do T13, but mine has not arrived yet. And even if it did, I don't have a way to measure lux anyway to publish result.

EDIT: Sorry, price was $22 shipped.

Except at 1 meter the hotspot is around 5cm… It’s absolutely tiny. I did it to mine before accidentally breaking the bond wires trying to fix it.

My X9 is killing my STL-V2 now. I keep grabbing it when I head outside. Hard not to try de-doming the V2, but I like the beam….

outdoor beamshots Skyray A0 clone, distance 200m

mouse out with dome

mouse over dedome

Nice mouseover… that pretty much nails the results I had as well.

X9 de-domed
Old lux 38,120kcd
New lux 61,920kcd

Old lumens 786
New lumens 575

Nice beamshot viffer750. Amazing the warm (er yellow) shift on these de-domed. Mine too. I est from 3C 5000K to 3500K (er yellow). IF I do another, I’ll start with a U2 1A and hope to end up at 5000K. Craig at Illumination Supply has some U2 1A on 16mm boards on sale for $6.50……

You're absolutely right, Viffer. That little A0 clone is so small I forget that the reflector isn't as big as it's output makes you think it is. That is an amazing difference!

The C8s arrived!!! (5 of them :bigsmile: )

They cost me >$15US each and include aluminum reflectors, glass lenses and an overall very good fit and finish considering the price.

Three of the five have quite cold tints so I decided one of those needed de-doming. I used the Dremel method this time: ground the LED dome down to <1mm and stuck the felt wheel in before finishing with a optics cloth.

So far it looks very promising: When at 2.5A (battery at 3.8V) it throws as well as a X9 at 2A (3.6V) however the hotspot is 1/2 the size…. just recharging the batteries to put them both on a even footing… photos to follow. :smiley:

Looks like the tint definitely got better.
Are colors like that in reality also? :slight_smile:

Beam-shots of the cut-domed C8 vs X9


Stock vs Cut and polished dome… the difference is more then is shown by the camera


X9 vs cut + polished XML of the C8

yes, similar

Had to a have another play around with the C8s…. and here is what i got:


The partial de-domed I mentioned in the post a few above is on the left and a complete de-dome on the right, both were the same tint before any mods.

To do this I used the method of running the LED until it got very hot (took pill out of C8 body and attached it to a battery, took all of 1 min to get hot enough) and then I just peeled it off… piece of cake and left a perfect finish.

Keep testing guys.

Out of these experiments will come a formula to convert many leds into great performers.

http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/attachments/fritz-moddings/11929d1349208384-throwerkopf-47s-x10-arme-00028986.jpg

Bs @ 250 meter ,12 sec,220 KLUX

DX SST 90 Reflector ,XM-L U3 cooper dedomed @ 4,9 A >)

Xandre