First ever mod NEED HELP!

Th558 · 2018-12-16T10:57:40.000Z

Soooo, I’ve never modded a flashlight before so I need your guys help.

List of components to buy so far:

C̶o̶n̶v̶o̶y̶ ̶L̶2̶ GT Mini

https://m.banggood.com/Lumintop-BLF-GT-mini-18650-LED-Flashlight-Portable-Mini-Torch-Camping-Light-p-1335341.html?rmmds=search

Osram 2mm or 1mm flat LED on MCPCB

https://led4power.com/product/osram-kw-cslnm1-tg-1mm2-throw-king-on-20mm-xp-dtp-mcpcb/

Battery

https://www.ecoluxshopdirect.co.uk/lg-mj1-18650-3500mah-button-battery

Wire

https://m.banggood.com/Excellway-1007-Wire-10-Meters-22AWG-1_6mm-PVC-Electronic-Cable-Insulated-LED-Wire-For-DIY-p-1243125.html?&cart_warehouse=CN

I’m probably going to drive it at 7 amps so which driver shall I get? I looked on mountain electronics but shipping to UK costs quite a bit and I can’t find any that are powerful enough.

Yokiamy · 2018-12-16T15:16:53.000Z

I would try out one of Lexel his Texas Avenger drivers.
But there are plenty of options ofcourse.

Marc_E · 2018-12-16T19:11:26.000Z

From reading on here the 1mm is best driven around 4.5 - 5A so you’d only be looking at 7A for the 2mm.

I’m in the UK and i’ve used Fasttech, Banggood and Kaidomain, cheapest delivery (free ) at the expense of delivery time, 3-4 weeks in my experience (surprisingly it seems quickest around this time of year). The only driver i can think of off the top of my head from them is:

www.banggood.com

BLF X6 X5/Astrolux S2 S3 SS SC Taschenlampe Treiber Taschenlampe Zubehör

Nur US$16.16, kaufen Sie den besten BLF X6 X5/Astrolux S2 S3 SS SC Taschenlampe Treiber Online-Shop zum Großhandelspreis.

Direct drives for full power, should be easy enough to find info on here about the driver and torches with that driver, and if you haven’t ordered the other stuff from Banggood already delivery shouldn’t be an issue.

For quicker delivery you could look at this driver from the same place you’re getting the LED, Led4power:
https://led4power.com/product/ld-a4-2-12amp-17mm-constant-current-led-flashlight-driver/
I ordered from them for the first time this week (white flats and driver, same as you ) so can’t comment yet on actual delivery times but he’s in the EU so expecting it to be much quicker than from China and delivery is cheap.
The owner, Led4power: http://budgetlightforum.com/user/6079 , is on here so you could always ask him.

Th558 · 2018-12-16T23:48:28.000Z

Marc E:

From reading on here the 1mm is best driven around 4.5 - 5A so you’d only be looking at 7A for the 2mm.

I’m in the UK and i’ve used Fasttech, Banggood and Kaidomain, cheapest delivery (free ) at the expense of delivery time, 3-4 weeks in my experience (surprisingly it seems quickest around this time of year). The only driver i can think of off the top of my head from them is:
BLF X6 X5/ Taschenlampen-Treiber Astrolux S2 S3 SS SC Sale - Banggood Deutschland-arrival notice-arrival notice
Direct drives for full power, should be easy enough to find info on here about the driver and torches with that driver, and if you haven’t ordered the other stuff from Banggood already delivery shouldn’t be an issue.

For quicker delivery you could look at this driver from the same place you’re getting the LED, Led4power:
led4power
I ordered from them for the first time this week (white flats and driver, same as you ) so can’t comment yet on actual delivery times but he’s in the EU so expecting it to be much quicker than from China and delivery is cheap.
The owner, Led4power: http://budgetlightforum.com/user/6079 , is on here so you could always ask him.

If I use a 20mm adaptor with the 17mm driver will it overheat? And can the the L2 switch handle high currents?

Lexel · 2018-12-16T23:51:53.000Z

L2 2 cells used
Buck driver 20mm set to the desired current

You cant DD those LEDs

L4P 17mm driver with adapter will overheat

Th558 · 2018-12-18T07:05:44.000Z

I changed my mind. I’m getting a GT mini instead. Upto what current can the LD-A4 take without overheating?

Yokiamy · 2018-12-19T09:38:24.000Z

Well, the L2 is a very nice light to mod, but the driver form the GT mini is nice as well.
personally, i’d choose the L2 mod

eas · 2018-12-26T05:36:26.000Z

For a 1S light and that emitter, look at Led4Power’s drivers.

Th558 · 2018-12-26T13:59:04.000Z

L4P said it won’t work with an electronic switch so I’m just gna direct drive it with an LG mj1.

Cereal_killer · 2018-12-26T14:16:46.000Z

Your first mod ever and you’re gonna try to focus a flat white in a minigt?

The flat white is the hardest emitter to focus properly. THE. HARDEST.

Till you’ve got some emitter focusing under your belt I’d seriously recommend not making this your first mod…

You don’t just need it correctly centered, for proper focus you have to adjust the height of the led / reflector as well. Literally in fractions of mm incriments. Do you even have a meter to measure the kcd?

Th558 · 2018-12-26T21:52:57.000Z

I ordered a ut383bt meter. It’s not the best but should be good enough. I was aware that it’s not easy to focus but didn’t know it’s that hard. I’ve ordered everything so I’m just gna have to do it anyway. I read that kapton tape is needed to raise the reflector. Is this true?

Th558 · 2019-01-05T15:01:39.000Z

Just received the LED on MCPCB. Shall I solder the wires or mount it in the flashlight first?

Yokiamy · 2019-01-05T19:19:24.000Z

Th558:

I read that kapton tape is needed to raise the reflector. Is this true?

Well, yes and no
Usually, people use it to be able to lower te reflector for a better focus and prevent a short circuit by the reflector to the leads.
Usually, you have a centering ring , but 9 out of 10 times, that prevents correct focus

Yokiamy · 2019-01-05T19:22:12.000Z

Th558:

Just received the LED on MCPCB. Shall I solder the wires or mount it in the flashlight first?

Doesn’t mind which order. Personally i prefer soldering the leads on the mcpcb as the final step

Jerommel · 2019-01-05T21:09:24.000Z

Good luck with the mod !

But the driver will need attention with these low Vf LEDs.
I don’t know the “LG mj1” driver, but i hope it is a current limited driver, not a DD (not limited) driver.

I’ve read the 2mm² white flat can handle up to 8 Amperes, but you will easily exceed that with a DD driver on a freshly charged battery.

Th558 · 2019-01-06T16:45:37.000Z

Jerommel:

Good luck with the mod !

But the driver will need attention with these low Vf LEDs.
I don’t know the “LG mj1” driver, but i hope it is a current limited driver, not a DD (not limited) driver.

I’ve read the 2mm² white flat can handle up to 8 Amperes, but you will easily exceed that with a DD driver on a freshly charged battery.

I decided to get the 1mm LED instead. I’m going to be using the stock driver with an LG MJ1 cell. It might end up exceeding 6 amps which is a bit too much so I’ll have to find a way to add resistance.

kitban12 · 2019-01-06T17:04:19.000Z

L2

Th558 · 2019-04-06T17:25:49.000Z

How do I screw the new board on when the hole cutouts don’t match?? Shall I just use thermal paste without the screws?

Lexel · 2019-04-06T17:55:15.000Z

2 options:

- make MCPCB fit

make new threaded holes

Th558 · 2019-04-06T18:14:16.000Z

So you mean make holes in either the PCB or flashlight? Can’t I just let the force from the reflector push it down or is that a bad idea?