LED for BLF A6

I managed to burn up the LCD on my A6. I bought a replacement from Mountain Electronics but it is too big for the reflector and also, it starts smoking pretty quick so I apparently got something that wasn’t designed for that light. Can anyone tell me a good replacement for this light?

Perhaps you may have gotten a XM-L2. You need a XP-L (on a Noctigon MCPCB).

Yes, it is an XM that I have. So I find the XP on Mountain’s site but they all seem to be on Noctigon mcpcb as well. Could anyone tell me which one would be best possible for this application and where to get it?

Umm,

I believe you have other issues. Sounds like its shorted if it's smoking. It should work just fine with an XML2 on 16mm noctigon if it's wired right.

First you need to remove the driver and check the leads and make sure their insulation isn't skinned back or cut exposing the wire. If they are replace them. If it started smoking it shorted out and the wires are probably toasted anyway.

Be cautious when re-installing the driver retaining ring. Watch the driver and make sure it isn't twisting with the ring. It could twist up the wires bad enough to pull them tight and cut the insulation and short to the body. Bad business...

Also be cautious when re-installing the bezel, lens and reflector. When it starts getting tight it could possibly spin the mcpcb and cut the wires causing a short to the body. Bad business...

Look at the base of the reflector and make sure it didn't short there. It should be obvious if it contacted the solder pads on the mcpcb.

Whatever it is if it was SMOKING then something is burnt up. Don't put a battery in till its fixed.

Nothing seems to be shorted and it works fine except it gets so hot after 30 or so seconds smoke starts to come of the dome itself, or at least that is how it appears. At any rate, the led itself is too large to fit the hole in the reflector. I works fine without the smoke/heat if I cycle it to a lower setting. I would be glad to just find one that is a direct replacement for the original but I don’t understand what all the letters mean and have no idea what amperage this is rated for. I never knew flashlights could be so confusing.

When you say to big for the reflector do you mean to big for the little white reflector spacer? If so that spacer is for the XP. Mountain has XM spacers.
If you tried it without the spacer and if you didn’t insulate the reflector from the solder pads then it more than likely shorted on the reflector and scorched the wires.

Okay I just read that. Check and make sure the mcpcb is sitting all the way down without an air gap underneath. I’m assuming it’s an xml2 on a 16mm noctigon from mountain? It may need filing down to fit right

Yes, it is an XML2 from Mountain on nocticgon MCPCB. It is just the spacer that is too small but the MCPCB seems to fit down ok, of course without the spacer and reflector to hold it down it does sit up just a little causing an air gap. Would that be enough to cause the excess heat? Because it is not heat sinking properly without a good tight contact?

Easiest light to replace the emitter :)

First...make sure the board fits within the shelf. You do not need a tight edge as much as you do good surface mating. I little computer thermal paste will help...JUST a dab. I file or sand paper on the edge of the board will do wonders

Second..if not using the XPL or XPG2 with a spacer...use kapton tape or an insulation gasket to insulate the reflector from the wires on the board

http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=229&search=kapton

http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=25_82

Third...the reflector is what applies the pressure to the board to make contact with the shelf for thermal transfer so if checking for operation before assembly do not go to high.

Fourth...do not assemble or disassemble the reflector and bezel if the light is not cooled off and apply light pressure to lens to keep the reflector and/or spacer from spinning while turning the bezel.

Fifth...do NOT look at the light when turning it on...please ;)

Good luck! :)

Exactly. You could try widening out the original spacer to fit the xm led die and take up the space. The mcpcb needs to be pressed and held tightly to the mcpcb shelf by the reflector when assembled. You also need a fresh dab of thermal compound underneath it too.

Sorry bugsy36
I didn’t see your post till after I saved mine.

Good luck woodstock… I hope we were able to help.

Why apologize? I thought you were agreeing ;)

… or go for a A6³ :wink:

Thanks guys. It is all starting to make sense now. When you say thermal compound, I don’t suppose dielectric grease would work would it? Got plenty of that.

To use that XM-L2 you need this spacer.

Thanks, I will add that to my cart. I just put one together from a Convoy S2 host that came with that spacer but I had to use it in that one.

No you need thermal compound. I use Tuniq TX-2. It’s good quality and seems to do a good job

Thanks, I ordered some from Mountain. Thanks again for all the help you guys. I was getting a little frustrated.