Fenix E40 is it possable to install an XML

Over the past few weeks i have bought a couple 4 x AA XML lights, the D40a and the Starry Light SA-22 BLF Edition because i like the practicality of the 4 x AA, with the SA-22/PA40/E40 form factor being my favorite.
I have several Fenix E40 lights that have Cree XP-E R4 and i am wondering if it is possible to straight swap the R4 for an XML NW and give them a new lease of life.
I Googled “Fenix E40 XML upgrade” and found nothing, most likely it is not possible but i thought i would ask before retiring these lights to spares draw oblivion.

Thanks to those that bothered to look, i guess with the lack of any response the idea was a daft one, if a Mod swings by please delete this thread.

I think this may not be a popular enough light that anyone has one and tried this, but if you can get to the LED star and replace it with an XM-L one and the reflector will fit the larger die size then there should not be a problem, the circuitry should work fine.
Otherwise look at an XP-G on noctigon/sinkpad, i believe the die size is similar to the XP-E and you will get a lot more lumens (less then the XM-L but far more then what you have now)

Thank you for the reply looks like i have a project to plan

I’m thinking you will see 50-60% more lumens OTF for an xp-g2 r5 on noctigon

Problem with lots of these lights is they are expensive enough that people are reluctant to tear into them ....

that and the fact i'm not sure i know anyone who has done it successfully .

i think it just isn't easily done .

That being said I know a few members who have torn almost every light they've ever owned open .

I have some 4/7 olight and fenix lights that are made similar to this light and if I thought there was some great gain to be had maybe I'd look further into tearing into them ....but they are all pretty nice just as they are .

I like the throw that comes with the fenix E21 and the xpe emitter ...and the fenix Ld40 i have has a xpg neutral with a lot of throw i'd lose if it got upgraded to an xml emitter .Imo people get enamored with output numbers and can lose out on a great beam profile and lux.

If I want flood I'll simply grab a different light or slap some dx-fix /diffuser material on the lens . flood being the easier of the two to achieve .

I can make a light easily floody. but I can't easily make a light have throw .

If it ain't broke

it needs upgrading!

I agree that some lights are not worth it, i have an old dorcy xp-e that would need extensive work, the ‘star’ is the heatsink and somehow bonded to the body and has a single resistor driver built into the ‘star’, so i would never upgrade it, it would need far too much work.

I have a klarus p1a that i would put an xp-g2 on noctigon, maybe 50 extra lumens if i could get the head off (30% theoretical increase)

You can mod it if you can remove the pill.

But the pills of Fenix flashlights are usually glued in place. They are very difficult to take apart without risking damage to the flashlight. Most people who manage to take one apart either got lucky and had a light that was poorly glued, or they use a blowtorch to careful heat up the head to soften the glue and some combination of a strap wrench and snap ring pliers to take the pill out. It’s not an easy operation.

I think the best thing to do with a Fenix flashlight that you’re not happy with is to sell it on eBay. People respect the brand, and they sell for more than you might expect.

idea good, you may be able to sell it for enough to buy a better light that does not need modding

i should also mention i didn’t realize i forgot the XM-L2 and XP-G2 in the first post, don’t upgrade to XM-L or XP-G, and the sinkpad/noctigon shoudl be worthy lumen increasers as well

If you do manage to take one apart, I would swap in a XPG2 instead of a XML2 and I would also try to use the original star.

I think the max current for an E40 is 1 amp or less and a XPG2 would probably look brighter to the naked eye than a XML2 at that level.

Also, I’ve found that when modding a more expensive light like a Fenix, it really helps to retain as many of the original parts as possible. It removes potential problems caused by incompatible aftermarket parts and makes reassembly easier. Using an XPG2 would allow you to replace just the bare emitter. Using a XML2 would mean having to replace the emitter, the star, and the isolator disk.

Maybe a better idea just to buy an LD41, with my level of knowledge i am bound to brick the E40, i just really like the form factor of the flash light and the control setup, The D40a on low [plus moonlight mode] is much better indoors with good spill and on high it out throws my EA4 and E40.

Boaz it take your point newest and brightest not necessarily being the best, my favorite EDC is the Fenix LD25NW I have 5 of those when Fenix discontinued them i bought 3 extra as spares, just done the same with the Fenix E11, 7 of those now [4 MK1 and 3 MK2] only have acouple of the E21’s but have 2 more in transit from HK and may get acouple more. really do not rate the new and improve models, they where not broke but Fenix just had to fix “upgrade” them into uselessness.

I have the BLF group buy version of the Starry Light SA-22, which would be perfect of it was a 2 button model like the E40/LD41.

Anyway thanks for all your help and suggestions, this discussion has made me realize my lack of the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to do the work without ruining the light. Maybe a diffuser Tip AOD-M for the E40 and AOD-S for my LD25/E21 while i am at it.

I think i’ll get a cheap Fast tech light, read some sticky posts and practice modding before brick something expensive.

And the final and most important consideration i cock it up the missus will take the piss for weeks.

I have an e40 and it is my best thrower with great runtime. And such a pure white beam. Very solid.