Improving emitter cooling (like going from standard aluminium to Noctigon) increases Vf. Probably seem thing with the mod you did to the mcpcb. Increased Vf resulted in lower amps but at the same time higher output.
Yes - that's the general pattern. Agree - could be right there with the better thermal path up'ing the Vf. Thought my XinTD X3 got higher lumens (domed LED) even at 5.X amps - gotta check #'s. I know the XinTD X3 had outstanding OTF. Of course best is maybe my TN31, measured 6.2A at the LED, and over 1,800 OTF lumens (domed stock LED) - but you got a rock solid big copper direct thermal path MCPCB, and nice buck driver with bridged resistors, and much bigger reflector, good qual AR lens, etc...
True, should be in the 3.2 to 4A range, depending on the cell. With the stock 5000 cell they offer, it's pretty good. It's really in the range of a modded light. Two cell lights, like the M24 would be better if you want more runtime - classic tradeoff of runtime vs. size/weight.
The drop is higher on the M12, but there's more to lose with a DD at much higher amps, while the X3 is using a stacked Nanjg. The X3 has advantages with sheer mass, big chunky pill top, but of course it weighs a ton too, but the smaller width reflector results in the lower throw, but respectable for it's size.
Note: all measurements done on my home brew PVC lightbox and $35 meter, so no guarantees
Aliexpress has them for $67.50. A desert rat can appreciate a light like the M12. I use mine out in the Colorado Desert just south of you all the time. You should also get the 26700 battery from Richard at Mountain Eletronics. That batt will give you 5,200+mAh of use with low internal resistance to boot. Quite a pair.
“”If you look at the MaxToch M24, the head is identical in looks and dimensions to the M12, therefore, I’m thinking they are using the same driver. if so, the driver could possibly take 2 cells (8.4v).“”
Recently got one of these lights and have just done runtime test on it. Very surprised….with a fully charged Maxtoch 5000mAh battery it ran for 3 hours on high beam. Not very bright at end but would have still done a little more.
Impressive runtime performance for a single cell XML2. The Maxtoch 26700 batteries must be good.
Well in the stock form, amps draw could be close to 4A or less at start. 4A draw would only be roughly 1.4 hours, but the amps draw starts to drop immediately as the battery drains with a current limited driver, not current controlled. You'd expect more that 1.4 hours, and in this case, it doubles. These cells are the KK 26700 sold by Richard at MtnElectronics. I've tested a few on the Opus charger and they show 5300-5400 - some variations cell to cell which is typical for all KK's. If you measured tailcap amps along the way on occasion, it should indicate droppage in amps. At the end, maybe under 1A? I'm thinking average was about 2A for a 3 hour runtime.
These are excellent cells though - low resistance and high capacity.
That's probably the loophole manufacturers take advantage of by dropping amps draw 1-3 minutes into a run. What mudgripz is doing is more practical, but of course with lowering output along the way, a function of the driver, the Vf, and the cell.