Is my Wowtac a good DIY Source or Something Else

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

I purchased 2 Wowtac A3’s a couple years ago and (because of the zoom) they are my favorite lights for general use. While I’m getting everything together for my Astro C8 build I started thinking about upgrading my A3’s - so I have some questions. Note: My fondness for this light is the zoom and size. Lastly, this will be my first build so I’m a beginner and I searched google before asking.

1. Is this light a good option for a custom/diy “long throw” zoomable light?

2. Because this will be used on a .22 is there a “universal” remote switch available?

3. If running 2 lights together what is the process of wiring both lights to a single switch?

Any advice or recommendations are appreciated.

2

I have a couple Wowtac A3 I recently picked up (<$10 on amazon, I couldn’t resist)!
I plan to upgrade the LED to an XPL HI. The A3S already has this LED.

They are a good zoomie, especially for the price. Now to your questions…

1. I think it is a very good budget host. Modding will depend on how hard they are to open. I haven’t tried yet. Nevermind… just got the head off. LED is easy to swap. :slight_smile:
The driver looks pressed in. I’m sure I can get it out, but don’t know how much effort it will take. I may just do the LED.

2. Since it is a an electronic side switch, I don’t thing there is a “universal” remote switch. I’ve only seen that type of switch for mechanical tail switches.
Also, the slide zoom mechanism might not stay put if mounted to a rifle. Maybe on a .22?

3. This is definitely more involved. I think you would have to make your own “custom” version of this. It can be done, but I don’t think you can buy something like this.
We would need to know which 2 lights…

I think you would be better off starting with a light that is better suited to this use. Something with a tail switch. Probably will want a very robust light with potted electronics to withstand rifle mounting.
Do you only plan to mount to a .22, or are you planning for a bigger rifle also?

FB

3

The stock throw is 13kcd is not so impressive. The lens is estimated 30% covered by the bezel and it has roughly the same diameter as SK68. The performance bottle-neck here is the lens unfortunately.

A3 vs SK68 lens

Driver removed with a toothpick (didn’t require a lot force) The switch is soldered directly onto the driver 20mm.

A very involved mod would bore out a hole in the tailcap to install mechanical switch but tolerance is very tight

4

Thanks for the information. I will leave them as they are.

5

The Wowtac A3 may not be the best option for rifle mount, but is the Wowtac A3 a good DIY source? I say Yes!

The OPs questions prodded me in to trying some mods on the A3 that I had been planning.

So here goes…

- Remove battery tube and battery.

- I was able to open the bezel with a little heat and some grippy gloves.

- Unsolder the LED MCPCB and remove. Tuck the wires back into the head.

- Next came the aluminum LED holder screwed into the head (not really a pill since driver is separate). A little heat and grippy gloves again.

- Driver is pressed in from the batter end. Press out the driver. Careful not to damage the switch board. I used a flat blade screwdriver and tapped around the out edge.

- Mod driver by stacking resistor on existing sense resistor. I put 0.25 ohms on the 0.24 ohm R that was already there. This gave me 3.8 amps on Turbo.

- Replace driver and aluminum holder.

- Replace LED with 1mm white flat on 16mm MCPCB.

- Reassemble head. Don’t screw bezel on tight.

- Reassemble battery tube and battery.

  • Turn on light. Unscrew bezel slightly to achieve desired spot focus (lens is attached to bezel, so unscrewed bezel gives longer focus length to “fine tune” desired focus).

Wow! The white flat makes a nearly perfect square. Much nicer than other LEDs in zoomies I’ve had in the past.
The white flat really makes this light come alive! I didn’t measure the before and after, but it is at least 4x higher intensity with a much cleaner output.
Lux is significantly higher than an Emisar D1 I have sitting here. Not as high as my D1s modifed with a white flat. I may need to learn to start measuring Lux…

I slipped an o-ring over and into the groove that was left with the bezel unscrewed for looks and a little water resistance (it is not compressed, so resistance is about all it will provide).

So, is the Wowtac A3 a good DIY source… only if you like a good quality, easy to mod, zoomie for $10 with battery!

FB