I was able to get a second foursevens maelstrom S18 on ebay for a low price. I already have the MMU version that is 1200lumens and ill keep that stock and sparkling.
My goal on this one is to modify to get a bit more output as the current specs is many years old and outdated.
My thoughts are:
- Upgrade the current SST-90 and driver to boost output.
- Upgrade with a XHP-70 and driver to get over 5000lumens
- Possibly Upgrade with XHP-35 Hi to make it a nice thrower with over 2000 lumens.
The things I need to watch for is the mode switch as it a rotary switch on the tail cap, I will probably lose that nice rotary function. I do want to keep the light looking as stock as possible in the outside. The current rear button has a momentary on if half pressed, so this could work with some drivers for mode selection and have the rotary switch with no function?
The other thing is the light has a battery carrier built on the tail cap that takes 6 x16340. I would probably want to modify to take 3x 18650 instead. I don’t want to modify too much so I can always go back if needed. So would prefer 3x 18650 than 1x 26650.
this allows me to run 3x 18650 in parallel or in series. What would be best?
I will still need to inspect how the battery carrier and the rotary mode switch is connected. Not sure if the driver is on the tail cap or inside the light head.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Which option would be the best? 1, 2 or 3? (I know its preferable taste, but which one would you go for?)
Im thinking of staying with the XHP-70/SST-90 size diode to get similar throw and a big boost in the output. I just want to upgrade the lumens and have a bit of fun updating the light to 2018 specs.
What would be a good driver? and would I be able to keep the rotary back switch for mode selection?