Convoy C8+ XHP70.2 build and compare

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

Here is my Convoy C8+ XHP70.2 build. I plan to run it at low power most of the time to utilize the XHP70.2 efficiency.

Parts from Mountain Electronics:

  1. Convoy C8+ host (one 18650)
  2. Cree XHP70.2 P2 4000K on DTP MCPCB
  3. 17mm MTN-BST2 Boost Driver, output current 4.2A, input current 10.5A, guppy3drv firmware

Parts from AilExpress:

  1. DIY CREE XHP50.2 XHP70.2 OP Reflector 41.5*31.5mm for C8 C12 flashlight, diameter 10mm hole at the bottom
  2. Plastic Insulation gasket Stator insulation gaskets Spacer for Cree XHP70 XHP70.2 7070 Series LED Emitter bulb diode

In the pictures I compare to my Convoy L6 XHP70.2 “monster” (two 26650).

At first I just carefully enlarged the hole in a Mountain orange peel reflector for the C8+ and made my own spacer, but then I found this OP reflector and spacer on AliExpress.

You must bypass the switch spring (or you will be very unhappy with the performance).

Two XHP70.2 flashlights side by side.

The yellow is the emitters reflecting back at the camera. The L6 is slightly out of focus.

Here is an indoor side by side full output comparison off a white wall at about 2 feet between the two cell 26650 with a FET driver and the single cell 18650 boost driver limited to 4.2A. The camera is set to ISO400 in a pitch black room except for the flashlights. The lens is set to F16 and the shutter to 1/500th second - it’s VERY bright in the room and the camera image sensor was easy to saturate. Before you conclude the C8+ isn’t putting out much light, remember to what it is being compared.

I have the guppy3drv for the C8+ set to mode 10-4-4 which has 3 cycling modes of firefly, 5% out, 33% out and double tap for 100. Most of what I do is done at 5, so there is plenty of pretty cool efficient light at that level. If I run both flashlights full output, the much bigger L6 warms noticeable more quickly, no doubt to however many amps those big batteries are supplying that FET driver (10-15 amps?).

2

Thank you for posting details of your build and a list of all the necessary part. It’s very nice. You’ve convinced me to build a C8+ with XHP70.2 now. I’ve got a Nightwatch NS22 Seeker with XHP70.2 that I’ve dedomed and really like it, but I now kind of want the same thing with a slimmer handle (as the NS22 takes a 21700 battery). I might try the XHP70.2 N2 5A (4000K, 80CRI) from Kaidomain for the build.

3

Can I get a link to the xhp70.2 spacers and reflector?

4

Reflector: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32839891222.html

5

Below are the two AliExpress item listings that I used to purchase the reflector and gaskets. They arrived to me reasonably quickly as far as orders from China go. I’ve got everything needed to build the light now, but just need to find time to do so.

6

Thanks all :slight_smile: ordered