Turning a SAiK SA-305 into a Fat Boy-T6 -Photo & Video intensive

I look forward to seeing the progress. There are quite few people who have build XML Ultrafire MCU-C88s (3xAA) but I've never even seen this light. I like it.

Good choice for a mod. Waiting&watching!

i too have considered modding this light, or the c88. i'll be watching w/ much interest!

I wanted and never did buy this flashlight to mod it, but my idea was to use a single 26650 instead of 3*AA.

I will look close to this thread as I still like the idea of modding this light a lot.

I have to agree that I like the 3AA "fat" format as well. I'm not keen on the long & skinny. I also would like to see 3 AA's instead of the more commonly seen 3 AAA's. Now just make it capable to run on 3 AA NiMh's or 1 32600 lithium ion (or sleeved 26650 or 32650) and that would be great! Watching with anticipation! Definitely want to see the parts list /

I too have an order coming from DX, as well as one from KD. The DX parts will be for my very first mod and I'm excited!

Garry

BTW - Is that manufacturer rating of "35 minutes" runtime on the stock light for real??? That seems rediculous! Is that emitter that inefficient?

Don't trust any specs on Chinese budget lights.... is a good rule of thumb. I am interested in these experiments, because I also own the Saik SA-305. I have never gotten around to install the warm white XM-L T3 20 mm star, that lies around here somewhere. I think that the hollow aluminum pill is not suited for hi-amp drivers. You will have to pot it, or something like that.

I understand not to trust specs on the Chinese budget lights, but it's usually the other way around, right? Usually overstated, not understated! (Sorry if I'm pulling this thread off topic.)

Garry

I have one of those Saik, well I did, my wife has decided it's I nice light and told me to order another for myself.

I looked at the Saik for modding, a couple of point you will have to cover.

1- As you said, you'll have to make a good heatsink, the std one is crap, has a hole under the LED.

2 - The std driver is a large diameter, so you need to make a mount for the new driver.

3 - Not sure how long the switch will last with 3 amps

But I you can work it out I'm sure, then you'll have a great little fat light!

@ Vectrex - Yes, the stock parts are junk and not suited to high amp drivers or LEDs. Part of the solution will be the reflector change. The stock reflector is somewhere around 30mm in length (I am guessing), so the replacement will have to be signifigantly shorter, to give room for a much larger (deeper) Heat Sink. I am really hoping that I can just go direct instead of using the driver. Direct is so much simpler and if it was a P7 I wouldn't even be concerned about Vf.

@ Essexman - I may have to replace the stock switch. I don't really like those chinese clicky switches, but I will have to look at it some. There are some viable replacements that would work.

Yikes - Jetbeam PA-40 actually - Not very budget , but was made an offer I could not refuse [ dont ask - cant tell ]

Glad you're working out the details for me because I wasn't thinking it'd need a shorter reflector. Before/after beamshots would be great;)

I'm interested in lens dimensions too. I can see myself camping w/ one of these in each back pocket - one floody, the other w/ http://www.dealextreme.com/p/50mm-18mm-2-80-degree-glass-optics-12834

edit:i suspect the emitter would be closer than focal length:(

Good luck, I want to see how this turns out!

Another model being still a budget more or less is the Ultrafire C88 you can find it in ebay for US$39.99.

Here's a few links that I have found interesting and helpful on DC projects.

Emitter Index

How to use a meter for flashlight measurements

CPF's NiMH battery shootout

Parallel battery circuits

Serial (Series) battery circuits

Serial/Parallel battery circuit (towards the bottom of the page). I like these circuits for using AA batteries in 4D-6D Mag-lites, as you get more voltage and more amperage by making a series/parallel battery pack.

Engineering Toolbox Thermal Conductivity of metals - This site has lots of great info

AWG current limits

Voltage drop calculator

DC wire capacity chart

DC Cable sizing Calculator

Electrical Conductivity of Metals

DC rule of thumb (I feel it's true from my own testing, but many disagree totally)

How to find the center of a circle (like a heat sink that you are putting an emitter on)

After all, I just can't sit and wait for 14 more days, so I look for info, parts, etc. Passes the time...

Those are some nice to know links you just shared. Thank you :-)

The problem with modding the c-88 is lots of people like it .. just like it is .

the Saik being 1/2 the price may be twice as hard to mod ... but who says that's not fun too.

First thing i'd do is fill that dang hole with copper ..I have a cheap old light I just pressed a pill into a hollow pill like that ...I had a pill that looked like it would fit .....I made it fit :)

Watching with interest! Old Lumens-a man after my own heart! No rich guy stuff here either. All hand tools, some of them pretty rickety. But the rewards are great!

Rich

Checked out your link. Great Mod! Went to CPF too and read the thread there. Good info if I ever do multiple emitters. 7 of them in a 4" head... Someday maybe.

Just in case everyone was wondering, I found that the DX package came into the US today, so hopefully it will get here after Thanksgiving. Maybe around next Monday (I Hope)...

From some measurements that Essexman gave me on his SAiK, I think there will be a Lot of Modification, since the stock lens and reflector are not anywhere near the dimensions of some of the replacement stuff available. It ought to be interesting if it can even be done. Unfortunately I may have to go looking for a different reflector. The lens will end up being a UV filter from a camera.

I love this chuncky light.

I put a red phlatlight emitter in one of these a couple of months ago. Just DD off of the three aa batts. So never had a heat issue with the plastic reflector.

Cant wait to see how yours turns out.