ENEDED

there will always be some problems. Are there any new updates on the modding of this monster?

No, sorry. The further mods I'm planning weren't probably gonna result in much increase in throw. If I could get a reliable 5+ amps out of a XP-G2, that would be great but all the ones I've reflowed/tested are much lower w/domes or de-domed - didn't matter. Still, I'm pretty pleased with the results of a de-domed XP-L from FastTech, no less... FT is certainly not known to be a reliable source for LED's.

If I had lots of time (I would need it) I'd try a 2S2P cell setup and go with a buck driver I could get 5-6A out of with a de-domed XP-G2.

The other path that Dale, O-L, and others would take is a big emitter and do the 2S2P cell mod. Probably no one could do any better than those two, and O-L has a BOSS1 on the way. Not sure if Dale decided on it yet.

As freeme said earlier, they gave us a big canvas to paint on with this host. It's not a beauty, but sets the bar high for reflector width and cell capacity in a budget level cost. It seems like GearBest is our best option for now, if you can get one of the remaining pieces as O-L mentioned.

I might order one, but after spending $250 on the SS/Cu and alum X6/X5 sets plus a few other buys as of late, I'm a bit tapped out for this month... or two Smile.

I hear ya!!! GB’d out!! XP-G2 performance blues too!!!But I got a TM36 that I’m hesitant to mess with, because it’s just too beautiful, I absolutely love the big beam that throws as far as my modded Couruis’ and lights almost twice the area up? :wink: Beside I can’t see 900Kcd away any how? :bigsmile:

which buck driver do you have in mind?

Tom, I believe I have a couple of older XP-G2 in 1A tint if you’d like to try those, might get the power level up… don’t know if the output would be any more. Seems I’ve seen some 1100 lumens before from one.

I was hanging in there waiting on the group buy, almost got one from GearBest but went the opposite direction and have a tiny little MecArmy PT16 on the way. :slight_smile:

For buck, probably Richard's - think it's compact enough to fit - didn't measure it out though, but there are options - lots of space - could even cut out a hole in that huge plate if more space is needed.

That PT16 is pretty nice - looked at it... No time right now though for the BOSS1 - other things goin on. Wish I could get some time off from work, but we are under a lot of pressure.

I have ordered one, cant wait to mod it!

I have some xml-2 U2 1A that have not been used. Will I see more light and throw from a dedomed xml-2 U2 1A on a direct drive than from a dedomed xml-2 U4 1C or is the resistance to high current at cost of throw and output so the kcd would be the same???

The U2 1A vs. U4 1C has a lot of variables. Yes - you can probably get ~7A from a U2 1A vs. 5.4A on a U4 1C but there's diminishing returns on the higher amps. I know Richard reported higher output from U4's vs. U2's for DD FET builds, but that was specifically on SupFire M6 lights (SRK style) with the 3 LED's in parallel.

Actually, for my recent Yezl Y3 mods using U4 1C's w/DD FET drivers, I hit 1900 lumens on 3 different lights which I don't think I ever hit on a U2 1A DD FET. 1700 was about the max, I'm pretty sure.

OK, I choose 18650 as powersources (makes the choice what to buy easier for starters :laughing: and like lights with 26650 size, since a triple AAA would work there as well (makes them good gifts)

This boss really look like a boss and is tempting, but i am not going to get 26650 cells.
With sleeves 18650s fit and 12 AAA as well. Would the output and user time be any good using decent 18650s?
What would be the consequence of using 12 AAAs?

Sure you can use 18650's or AAA triple carriers. AAA's would probably kill high output though, but never seen any attempts to use 4 of them in one light.

well IF it comes to ordering this big guy I will surely pop in 12 AAAs just to see how it works

I am still not certain which emitter is the best choice for this light for a DD without a driver. What should I get if I want to run it without a driver? A dedomed xm-l2 U4 1C or dedomed xp-l V6 2C?

A dedomed XP-L V6 0D will give you closest tint to CW

I have another question. Is the difference between an overdriven xp-g2 vs xm-l2 worth it? Will the throw increase from roughly 700kcd with a dedomed xm-l2 to 900kcd with a dedomed xp-g2 be worth the additional effort and expenses of a buck driver and modding the battery carrier for 2s2p?

Too bad the pill is so shallow or I would buy the Boss just to build a light that has a fail probability of 98% from the get go. I would do this just to satisfy my own curiosity.

I would use a step bit and expand the hole in the bottom of the reflector to 20mm and flush mount a Carlco triple optic in the bottom for no other reason than to see what would happen.

Not sure what you mean. I measured and posted the pill area is 9.5 mm in height for the cavity - more than enough room to piggyback in a typical FET driver. How much space do you need?

Im not sure. I’m still thinking about the logistics fo heat sinking since the MCPCB would then be hanging inside the pill below the emittier plate. I guess there is a possibility, I’m still chewing on it. I’d have to design a separate platform for the noctigon to sit on and still be able to transfer the heat out through the body. Everything I’ve come up with so far would require thermal epoxy. I’ve experienced many fails with epoxy solutions already.

The emitter plate is huge, I mean big, and if you stay with a single 3V emitter, there's not a ton of heat there. The shelf is so wide, you might be able to go deep with the a heat sink directly under the MCPCB and still have room for a piggyback driver off to the side. There's a bunch of options. I'd look at securing it better to the body on the side - you have a lot of room there, specially on the top side around the reflector.

Normally I’d jump on it and figure out things as I go, but since mounting an optic inside a reflector might be a bad idea from the get go, I have to think about cost. With the Canadian dollar in the tank, I’d have to calculate close to an extra 40¢ On the US$. Suddenly it’s getting a bit pricey.