Modding the CQG 3x18650 single XM-L T6 torch to TRIPLE XM-L U2 bin. (Build log) - IT'S ALIVE !!!

I really like this torch. There's nothing wrong with it in stock form, but what couldn't be made better by upping the power four- to fivefold ? :)

The plan is to yank out the guts, replace with billet aluminum, then cram in a TRIPLE XM-L U2 setup with a 4-5A Turbo DRY driver. Can you say 3000 lumen out-the front ? Hehe...

Here's a seller pic as a reminder:

Link to TORCH here: http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1207

Link to HOST here: http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1208

Link to REVIEW here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/3503

Here's a shot of the stock emitter, stock reflector.

Since I wanted the mass of the "pill" to be as much as possible, I worked from the bezel, rearward.

I cut a ring out of 6061 Aluminum, then cut a beveled edge to hold the optic:

Here's the optic and triple XM-L board from www.Cutter.au :

Optic in new retainer ring:

Here's what it looks like, test-fit in the bezel :

With LED board:

Coming up, the pill.

Here's the DRY Turbo driver, from Ric at CNQG:

Here's the battery side (bottom) of the billet heatsink, also from 6061 Aluminum:

Top:

Side (with chuck marks):

Here's the driver, seated in the heatsink:

Here's the light engine:

Here's the heatsink fit in the head of the torch:

Buttoned-up in the rear for a good fit:

New vs. old:

Next, comes the battery-holder mods and soldering.

Stay tuned !!!

Looking good so far ...

Thank you sir !

Nice mods, waiting for soldering.

Thank you.

Eagerly awaiting man, it looks great! Smile

I've never bought anything from Cutter, but it looks like they have some good multiple setups. I don't understand how the plastic optics take it though, since they are rated at 220 degrees, but I see lots of people using them.

Looks like you are putting the new lathe to use! I'm just amazed at how many different possibilities are out there. Makes buying an expensive light in stock-form rather boring.

Btw, really lame question, but what does DRY stand for? I thought I was a flashlight nerd, but I certainly have a ton to learn still.

- Jon

Hmmm... wanna sell this setup for $30 then I can essentially have the DRY but instead in the beautiful CQG body?

Just kidding. I know this is worth more than $30, in both parts and your time. Awesome job so far!

Cool mod! Good job with that! Can't wait to see the end result..

Makes me wish I would have a lathe. :/

Is that a 20 degree Ledil optic?

Also, that board looks to be cool white. Was there any particular reason not to choose neutral?

wow! subscribed for updates! well done sir :D

This light is also available @ Intl-Outdoor http://www.intl-outdoor.com/magic-wand-3x18650-t6-super-power-flashlight-p-288.html

The real name is Magic Wand, built by a renowned Chinese DIY-er.

I chose the narrowest optic available for the triple board, and I think it is either the 20-degree or the 18-degree. EDIT: 9.5-degree optic, according to invoice.

I picked the cool white for sheer output in the U2 bin. My DRY triple is Warm White, and this was something different.

I wish I could let this go for $30....the triple board cost more than that. ;)

The next one will be copper-cored - I wanted to acquire better lathe skills before cutting a bunch of pricey Cu101.

WRT to the DRY name, I think member 2100 stated it meant 'popular,' but I may be wrong.

Good to know, thanks. Like I said in the first post, the stock torch is a very good buy. I may need to pick up some more empty hosts, as they are of very good quality.

Hi Chicago-x liking the light very much. Just a quick question with regards to that driver, is it available on their website or is it a special order ?

Charles

Nice Job Chicago X, looks very professional.

I hope to see a beamshot of it, will it look like a single hotspot, or you can differentiate three of them?

As it is not transparent, it will work like a diffuser but I am not 100% sure.

That looks really good! I was recently looking into that board and optic combo from cutter, but couldn't find a decent beamshot anywhere. I look forward to your comments as to how it throws .

Old-Lumens : I think the optic doesn't melt because its just so efficient at what it does, so only a small fraction of the light is actually absorbed by it.

@charlestt: The driver is for sale to DRY owners as a replacement or upgrade. Send Ric an email request. Links are in first post.

@yavi: thanks for the kind words. I will post beamshots when finished, but from past experience, I would be surprised to see anything but a nice smooth single beam.

@Hal: I believe the lenses to be made of polycarbonate, so they should be efficient AND heat-resistant.

Holy moly do I want that! I love triples with optics. I've been trying to figure out a setup for a triple xml board, but hadn't even considered this light. I think I'd still like a single 26650 light (so a little smaller but a bit of a problem with the triple board wired in series) with a head to fit those optics.

Great work!

Great work, bud! Oh, how I find myself aching for a lathe to play with! Can't wait to see the end result and everything in between. What made you choose diffused optics over clear?

Availablilty. Nothing more.

I have an extra optic that I'll play around with polishing the face, as the 'facets' are there.