In my quest for a multimode driver to drive an XP-G at +/-1500mA from 2 NiMh cells I had come to the conclusion that these are just not readily available and gave up. However, after reading some old posts of other modder's stealing drivers from other lights I've wondered if there might be a cheap light out there that I could buy just for the driver.
Like said above, my project is to drive an XP-G at 1500mA on high from 2 NiMh cells (D cells to be exact). I'd also like at least a "medium" (+/-50%) mode. No blinkie modes necessary. I am an amateur at modding and electronics and I am not sure what specs I need to look for on existing lights to know it will give me the +/-1500mA output to LED. I know enough to understand that a tailcap current of 1.5A from one Alkaline/NiMh cell will not give 1.5A out to the LED (due to the boost circuitry).
Do any cheap flashlights exist with a driver to fit my needs? Any Ebay lights? I wondered about the Ebay Sipik clones (the 3 mode from eletrading & others), but I believe the current would still be too low. How about existing drivers available that can be modded, but I would need assistance from someone in detailing how to mod it.
I wish there were a spare driver of that they used in Jetbeam BA20 / Klarus P2A. It really pushes out some ~250 lumens. But being already like the most efficiently driven and a powerful 2xAA light it may still not be driving the led at 1.5Amp (but most probably close).
I've been on the hunt for this for a long time. The problem is that 1.5A would juts make an alkaline cry and most people (sadly) still use them. There are a few lights (not very budget ones) with drivers that would work. The driver in the Xeno E03 is the first that comes to mind, but that would make for a $30 driver. I still would like a low-voltage neutral XM-L dropin that has a 1.5A draw whether on 1AA, 2AA, CR123, or 1 li-on.
KD has 1-7v adjustable boost driver for $5. I bought the 5 pack once and used one to replace my UF C3s burnt driver. It is a fat driver so wasn't the best fit for a C3 but still it worked. I set it up for 1xAA use and it gave decent output, but nothing spectacular. It was rated for 2A so I thought it could drive an XML emitter with 2xAAs.
I build a P60 drop in with it and put it in a SF L2r body. The drop-in was working with 1xAAs, but although I was thinking I adjusted it right there were sparks only. The driver was burnt, and I guess it shorted my Eneloops for a few seconds too. I guess it wasn't the best setting for a low voltage emitter. I'd try it once again with a R2 or XML at the lowest boost but now SF discontinued L2r hosts and I don't want to burn the switch on my tired one either.
I wrote ‘had’ but changed it to ‘has’ when I thought I found an active item. It burns out so easily. I guess it needs some high Vf emitter to work best. Will try it with XML anyhow.