First Impressions AA Copper Tool 2.0

[andrx]

tool2.0

yes , better

[jon_slider]

@andrx

lh351d dedomed
yes , better

congrats
were you able to use the stock centering ring?

I could not, this beam is with a customized centering ring (thinner)
it looks OK in an overexposed photo:

but at a certain distance the center of the hotspot is dimmer than the corona… hard to capture… maybe you can see a hint of what I mean:

basically the hotspot changes size and gets larger, with a bright outer ring, and a dimmer center, as distance is increased

amd the hotspot gets tighter when moving closer:

Im probably just being way too picky, based on wall hunting
in actual use, it has a nice wide working beam

[Yokiamy]

@jon_slider

Received a new Tool AA Copper w stock XP-L HD
factory spec
3.7, 28, 140, 270 lumens

output on my meter, on Eneloop AA
3.7-24-115-280 lumens

after mod to sw45k AA Tool
new outputs on eneloop:
1.5, 12, 58, 190 lumens

==
Tutorial
modding sequence to change LED

open the head:

unsolder the mcpcb:

===

choose replacement LED, in this case 219b 4500k 9080 sw45k:

hotplate at 200C to remove stock XP-L HD:

add solder paste:

place new LED with correct polarity position:

===

after putting on hotplate the LED centers itself, tap out excess solder

remove excess solder balls, verify correct polarity with continuity function on DMM

add thermal paste to the pill shelf:

solder mcpcb w new LED back in place:

verify it works:

===
reinstall reflector:

Pat yourself on the back.

Note… the beam was disgusting, with a thin ring around the hotspot. I removed the stock centering ring, sanded down, and trimmed to fit, a butterfly shaped centering ring to half thickness… shimmed up under the mcpcb by .5 mm using thermal tape, and fiddled to get the reflector to center the LED. Much better.

Before:

After:

Nice, i got one too swapped with a LH351D as well.
Have a Ti as well, also swapped, but the beams were different, i found out really tightening the head improves the beam.

[jon_slider]

> i got one too swapped with a LH351D as well.
Have a Ti as well, also swapped, but the beams were different, i found out really tightening the head improves the beam.

congrats on your mods

the stock LED is quite a bit larger in diameter, and taller, than the LED I installed

so my goal was to move the reflector closer to the LED
this might be what your experience with extra tight head is accomplishing also… moving the reflector closer to the LED
but in your case, the LH351d is not as small as my 219b, so it probably does better with the stock centering ring,

I cant be happy with the stock centering ring… in fact, I generally am not happy with xp-l reflectors, when I go to 219b. Due to the overly large hole at the base of the reflector.

[andrx]

@jon_slider

@andrx

lh351d dedomed
yes , better

congrats
were you able to use the stock centering ring?

yes, but know i’m waiting for an op reflector http://kaidomain.com/S021651-15_8-x-8_8mm-OP-Aluminum-Reflector?search=S021651 and someday a better clip? :cry:

[jon_slider]

I hope your reflector test proves useful

it woul be great to find a captive clip, like this one for the AAA Tool:

[MascaratumB]

I may try that one in my Ti AAA
Gotta see if I find them available without having to ship from the US.
Nice one Jon

[Venice]

@MascaratumB

I may try that one in my Ti AAA
Gotta see if I find them available without having to ship from the US.
Nice one Jon

Here is the clip on a Tool AAA Ti.
$9 for two shipped (just got another Tool Ti to go with the second clip).
Very nice.

[jon_slider]

congrats
thanks for the great photo
me want

[Turborabbit]

I know it’s an old thread but tried discount code and no luck… anyone know of 20% off codes for the copper? Wouldn’t mind a code for the TI as well. Thanks!

[Notmyrealname]

+1