Just an update on the modding progress on my two Y3’s…
Both are in 2-cell configuration. Both have the emitters on maxtoch mcpcb’s, shimmed up using flattened copper pipe that’s roughly the same thickness as the mcpcb, with the shims soldered to the bottom of the mcpcbs. One has a dedomed stock XM-L2 - resistor modded with an R100 added (total resistance 0.045), pulling roughly 5A measured at the LED using my DMM (after everything I learned in this thread, it’s now sporting bigger 14ga leads, soldered in place). The throw is pretty good, but I wouldn’t consider it mind-blowing. I haven’t really tested it anywhere I can reach out more than 400 yards (which it hits somewhat easily), though. It’s a rather useful beam pattern - plenty of spill, large-ish hotspot. Seems to be relatively focused (no donut on the wall past about 6 inches out). I do like it a lot more than other ‘throwers’ I’ve built (which is limited to basically a modded C8 with dedomed XP-G2 driven hard and focused well in a smooth reflector). Turns out I really don’t care much for pencil beams. So I like the beam on the Y3 with the dedomed XM-L2. Not crazy about the tint, so it may get swapped out at some point.
Main reason I’m posting is because of my other Y3… I reflowed a higher bin MT-G2 (Q0) where there was previously a dedomed (sliced + LED seal) P0 bin MT-G2. Driver is modded with the R150 removed, and two R100’s added for a total resistance of 0.03913. Measured around 6A on high at the emitter.
The results are… spectacular. This light is freaking awesome. Heat transfer seems to be pretty good, and now that it’s cold outside it’s not getting remotely near ‘too hot’ - Only getting mildly warm. With the other MT-G2 it would get sorta hot after a few minutes when the ambient temp was around 70F, but the head seems to shed heat rather well.
This has instantly become my favorite light. I’ll try to take some beamshots tonight to show y’all what I’m talking about. I’m new to taking beamshots… are there any standard-ish lights out there that would be helpful comparisons? Most all of my lights are modded in some way or another (some more extensively than others)… only lights I have that are currently unmodded are a Nitecore P12, and a mini Mag LED Pro+. Also have a Solarstorm SC02 that has only had a UCL added but is otherwise stock (for now). So if one of those would be helpful, please let me know. I do have two other working MT-G2 lights if that would help - a Convoy C8 with an MT-G2 P0 (brass pill, smooth reflector, AR lens) driven at around 4.5A and a SF L2M with the sliced P0 formerly in my Y3 driven at 3.04A (may be stacking more 7135’s on tonight, it’s feeling weak and needy at 3A). Also, what is more helpful, a longer shot before trees/objects (200 yards) or a shorter one (25 yards)?