www.youtube.com/embed/Ld1l4Ud7jp8
This light was "in the works" already, when I decided to cut back on modding and I have decided to go ahead and finish it to see if it really becomes a raging monster, or a fire breathing bomb when it's turned on.
I bought this light, just to mod it. I tore it all down
and started thinking I would do a 3xMT-G2 mod, but when I started figuring the costs, I just decided to mellow it out a little, with what I already had on hand.
Well, I already have 5 XM-L T6 and I have another T6 lying around, but the 7th led will have to be an XM-L U2, so it will be in the center. Yes, I will try my hand at 7 leds.
I already have a bunch of 15 degree TIR optics, so what the heck, might as well use them.
I already have a big plastic lens from one of those 101 led lights, so why not make it into a locater for the TIR optics. I have only begun to size the holes so far.
I already have a DrJones lupodrv driver and I have a bunch of 1.5 amp KD drivers, as well as a bunch of 380mA chips, so what the hell, 7 drivers Master/Slave. The driver for the center led will be 3040mA and the other six will be 2280mA each. That's 16.72 amps. I doubt I will ever get that much output, but at least it's there... Till I power it up and it goes Poof!!
I stripped the original driver and I will keep the plate and use it just as a contact plate.
I already have (Courtesy of one of the wonderful members here), a bunch of copper bus bar material, so I took three sections and made a copper heat sink out of them.
I also have some .050" Copper plate (courtesy of another wonderful member here) and I used some of it to back up the bus bar and help tie it all together. This thing was cut out with a hacksaw and shaped with files. It weighs in at a whopping 8.5 ounces.
It's a snug fit into the head and hopefully it will serve well for the 7 XM-L leds.
I do Not have a 20 amp switch. All I have is a Judco and I am mounting it into the handle for easy accessibility. If it fries, I will look for a 20 amp pushbutton somewhere.
I figure the worst that can happen is the Master driver gets fried at first turn on, or the switch melts, or the batteries get too hot too fast..... or...., Hmmmm, I guess I should have the neighbor turn it on for the first time.
That's all for now (08-21-13). I will be working this as time permits and I hope to have it done within a week or so. I am waiting on things I don't have like Four 15 amp 18650 batteries and some Humbrel paints.... Oops, I didn't say Humbrel paints...
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08-23-2013
I spent several hours with the drill press, opening up the head of the light and turning down the OD of the copper insert. I didn't take photos...
But I did manage to get the light painted.
This was to be my base coat before dipping. It is VHT high temp brake paint. It takes several days to cure and it has to be baked in the oven to harden and make it high temp. Now, I sort of like the way it looks, just like it is. I was planning on dipping it, Google "guitar swirl", but I just don't know now. It looks good and with the chrome handle and a polished bezel, it might just work as is.
I also got the TIR locater ring finished. The Optics are in place permanently, using 2 part epoxy.
That's it for now. It will be next week before I get the Humbrel paints and the batteries, but I have things to do if time permits. I can set the leds down on the heat sink and wire the drivers to them. Then I can test using some NiMHs, just to see if it flies or dies. I also need to work a path for the rear contact, to the switch that is now in the handle.
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Well, it's a fail. It's done, gone, bye bye. I ruied the head, seven leds and seven TIRs. That's what's been happening with me for the past couple months. It's why I decided to give it up, because something has changed and I can no longer do what I used to do. I just end up ruining stuff. Well, that's life ain't it , you get old and you get useless. Some age faster than others. It's the natural order of things... but acceptance sucks the big one!
Sorry for the gloom and doom, I just lost right around $110 bucks into the dumpster, so I'm fairly angry and upset with myself and I shouldn't post, but that never stops me...
. I’ve seen a 26650 trustfire flame vs. 24 AMC7135 (380ma) by (3) XML for about 6A. So using my super exacting magic two thirds “flame” rule, hehe, you get 10A.