Just to let you all know, during the course of next week we'll be adding Pills, Drivers, switches, lens, and barrels in the "Flashlight Accessories" category for anyone wishing to do some DIY flashlight mods.
We already carry the XML-T6 LED module for anyone who is interested, its in "LED Modules -->> CREE"
in my TR-3T6 from manafont thread they are driven from 2.5 to 2.7 amps the driver is buck pluss bost with constant current and the led,s are in series so each led should be on 3 amps or close to thats about the safe maxium for an xm-l.
@YouWantLED, will the 3 battery version also be able to run 2x18650? Is it just an extension tube that you can leave out like the original TR-3T6 to make it 2x18650?
The information I've been provided with is as follows;
3 Battery Version will operate with 2 batteries as well
Voltage all modes (6.15V)
Current Draw HIGH (2.6A) MEDIUM (1.1A) LOW (0.24A)
Skin Temp after operating 35min (42°C)
This head can be fitted to a double 26650 battery setup - However they require new tooling and therefore need to commit to an order of 200 pieces at least.
One thing I must point out is that I was not present when these tests were conducted, I don't know the condition of the batteries used. Tests were conducted on the standard 2 Battery version we are selling, and has not yet been conducted for the 3 battery version
I very much like the sound of a 5*XM-L. But I personally don't own any 26650 batteries and I don't really want to add new battery types to my collection. Would it be possible to add some sort of adapter to use 2x18650, which is my preferred configuration for these monster lights?
A few other points for the overall design that it would be good to keep in mind:
Crenelated bezels such as those found in the Skyray and Trustfire 3*XM-L models look very ugly to most people's eyes and don't provide much functionality. A bezel like this looks much better:
A body with different angles and sections and knurling styles such as in the Skyrays and Trustfire 3*XM-L models also looks bad aesthetically to most eyes. Simple knurling of the entire body from the tailcap all the way up to the heatsink looks much cleaner and nicer.
Please make sure the switch is recessed enough for it to tailstand
Please give it a useful low mode that lets it run for several days.
Turbo mode would also be nice. :)
Thanks for the development of this! Hope it goes well.
2 x 18650 wouldn't do justice to 5 XM-L LED's. Just not enough power to drive them, not close to what I think you're expecting. No real point to that, unless you want a not-extremely-bright, but very expensive and large, flashlight.
Just 1 XM-L can challenge a single 18650 quite well on its own. Good rule of thumb, with well-driven XM-L's anyway is: 1 18650 battery per emitter. Using 26650 could possibly mitigate/reduce the number of cells needed since they are larger and can produce more current safely, but an even bigger cell would do that better, like D size (32600/32650), but few want that battery option.. however it makes sense.
Regarding the 3-LED model:
The numbers for the 2-cell model of the 3-LED version being discussed here worry me a little bit. I calculated only about 16 watts used on High from the numbers given, anyone correct me? A well-driven XM-L in many single 18650 flashlights will be fed about 10-12 watts. If ~16 watts is true, that's less than 50% or less more watts. Might be a safety feature for the use of the 2-cell model, or maybe a heat management compromise. Safer to drive a single cell hard, than 2 cells. So, I would be interested in seeing if the 3-cell model feeds more energy. From what I've seen though, it might not, if it bucks all voltage down to the same level. And, 3 18650 cells is a fairly long flashlight. 26650 would be better a better options if the designers planned to drive the LED's hard. IMO, people are going to have to accept the reality that multi XM-L or extremely high-energy flashlights are going to need bigger cells. Techies on CPF have known this a long time, often using "D" sized cells, even lithium ones. Now those can deliver a lot of energy. And, with the wide head a 5-LED light would have, it might make sense ergonomically, but might not be appealing to some due to that.
Looking forward to numbers on the 3-cell/3-LED model....