Looking for info: Xanes XT01 and Amutorch AX2 (18350 flashlights)

MascaratumB · 2019-08-08T13:04:52.000Z

Tom E:

I pm’ed you, bought the AX2, not much info. I really, really like the Amutorch AX3 and X9’s - fully modded with Narsil drivers. Was hoping for the same with the AX2, not sure how far I got though with it, not sure if I opened it up. Very much still interested in this light though, so maybe in the next couple days I’ll see what I can do with one arm (sling on left arm, lefty) but I can still type using left hand, just limited motion. I might have made some notes on it - will be checking.

Thanks for the replies Tom E! I wish you a fast recovery for the “2 arm version”

As I mentioned in PM, in case you open it and see it has good mod potential, please let us know

Thanks again and get better soon!! :+1:

Tom_E · 2019-08-08T17:46:51.000Z

I'd use a 22 mm FET+1 driver, shaved down a little. Driver is wayyy easier to mod than I thought - 4 wires: LED+, LED-, switch, and grnd to switch. Clearance is tight - no room to piggyback anything in there. Driver was glued - used a solder pick thru a LED wire hole to break the glue seal - easy by hand. The switch is a true side mounted PCB, no switch LED.

MascaratumB · 2019-08-09T01:07:50.000Z

Thank you so much for taking time to do this and to post! I guess this is part of the arm recovery, no?

Well, with such driver…it will be an easy mod I guess
Now I may purchase one of these lights! And driver… And Leds… And optics

Seeing by your image, a driver populated on both sides is likely to work, right?

Thank you once again for showing this Tom E !

Macka17 · 2019-08-09T01:27:24.000Z

If you want a Stainless torch.
This one IS very nicely machined. Profiled and finished.

I have 6 S|s. this is probably the cleanest finish.
With also. the best. loooong threads in it.

I prefer the 18650 cell sized torches in this dia though.
Slimmer in the smaller torches.
I’ll be happy if somebody figures out what to use
to improve switch timing.
Heat not a problem. just use on Mid. It’s just a baby.

sb56637 · 2019-08-09T01:50:04.000Z

Tom E:

I pm’ed you, bought the AX2, not much info. I really, really like the Amutorch AX3 and X9’s - fully modded with Narsil drivers. Was hoping for the same with the AX2, not sure how far I got though with it, not sure if I opened it up. Very much still interested in this light though, so maybe in the next couple days I’ll see what I can do with one arm (sling on left arm, lefty) but I can still type using left hand, just limited motion. I might have made some notes on it - will be checking.

Hey Tom, great to see you back here! I was getting worried about you. I imagine your mention of the sling has a lot to do with the story. Hope you get fixed up soon. :+1: :+1:

Tom_E · 2019-08-09T11:12:34.000Z

There's been a series of med issues, trying to catch up with. Just had rotator cuff surgery, over 1 inch tear, they used a screw into a bone to repair. Epidurals in the lower back and neck - been a major limitation to bench work, and still overdue for a knee replacement. I'm sure it's all because of 20+ years of softball in multiple leagues from 38 to 58 without the proper conditioning, but I play very competitively which I'm sure didn't help.

I got a low heart rate of in the low 40's at rest and a minor AV block - so far not causing issues but have to monitor it with the cardiologist, and of course need clearances for all these procedures :FACEPALM:

Using my left hand more and more which my wife complains about. Bad thing is instinctive reactions like goin to catch a bar of soap, etc. Oh, and scary movies can hurt - flinching can be painful

With the spring on the back side, I suppose components could be there - might be best to use a brass contact instead of a spring to ensure clearance.

MascaratumB · 2019-08-09T11:47:28.000Z

Tom E:

There’s been a series of med issues, trying to catch up with. Just had rotator cuff surgery, over 1 inch tear, they used a screw into a bone to repair. Epidurals in the lower back and neck - been a major limitation to bench work, and still overdue for a knee replacement. I’m sure it’s all because of 20+ years of softball in multiple leagues from 38 to 58 without the proper conditioning, but I play very competitively which I’m sure didn’t help.

I got a low heart rate of in the low 40’s at rest and a minor AV block - so far not causing issues but have to monitor it with the cardiologist, and of course need clearances for all these procedures :person_facepalming:

Using my left hand more and more which my wife complains about. Bad thing is instinctive reactions like goin to catch a bar of soap, etc. Oh, and scary movies can hurt - flinching can be painful

With the spring on the back side, I suppose components could be there - might be best to use a brass contact instead of a spring to ensure clearance.

In a “flashlight enthusiast” language, it seems something needs to be modded
Being serious now! That surely looks a crowded medical record! I hope you can recover fast from this one and do not neglect the others. Our body is too strong and too fragile at the same time, it is what holds us here so in a certain way, we may need to take care of it a little bit!
And its better not to see those movies Comedies may be better, not so much flinching

Thank you for the tip on the brass contact instead of the spring! It may be a better option then! I’m starting to “feel” this light now When I acquire and mod it, I will post some info!!

Thanks again Get better soon!!

Macka17 · 2019-08-09T12:59:44.000Z

Off Track for a tic.

Tom E.

Reading your history there. and injuries.
I have a few/ little older than you. 78 yrs.

Regarding the Chronic pain.

I have a broken kneck and a few other items from Motorbike accident back in ’90.
Been through a few trials for relief. Long and short term.

3 yrs ago. I was put onto “NEVRO” a US Pain Management Implant.

Instead of Epidurals Sheaf burning.crimping (Tried all them)
Short term fixes of differing reliefs.
This is a Spinal Implant, electrical. Placed to suit the area of body required.
Mine in spinal chord at C2/3/4/5. The top membrane stops us getting to C1.

Wire down back to hip.
Bluetooth Charger pad in fat there.
I sit and watch news every evening for 20 min’s or so.
Good for next 30 hrs.
Multiple settings and levels. Adjustable by me with controller.

I’ve been 100% Pain free 94% of the time for over 2 1\2 yrs now.
Do my (lighter) weights. Carry the 25kilo salt bgs up steps to pool.
Ride bike.
Raced Outrigger Canoes till I was 68yrs. With a lot of pain and mental
control.
Originally I was a distance runner for around 45 yrs. 3/4/5 day runs.
My left knee wore out on me was supposed to be changed near 8 yrs ago.

Take a tip. Till you can’t move it. or take the pain. Keep your own.
I know a lot had it. Not too many happy with it.
as far as future previous work concerned.

Check with your pain surgeon. It IS Magic.
Cost me. with 10 days motel bill, O’Night Hospital. Around $4.200AUD.
We live 750kms from City.
and worth every cent believe me.

I often couldn’t lift head off pillow for several days. Injections daily.
and stood there banging my head on wall to distract mind from other pain.
It was bad. For over 28 yrs.
THIS IS Magic.

Back to torches. sorry.

Tom_E · 2019-08-09T13:25:59.000Z

Wow, that's pretty interesting and good to hear it lessened your pain. Yea, I'm goin to a pain mgt doc now. I'll definitely research the NEVRO and mention to the pain mgt doc next time. So far sounds like my pain is not as bad, but it's restrictive when it comes to things I want to do. Right now the lower back is the biggest problem - sometimes feels great, sitting/sleeping ok, but if I actually do things like garden work, or even getting up after a long sit, oh boy...

I'm still consulting full time, so a lot of pressure as of late. Client company is struggling a bit so we are shrinking, but they want more done of course... Cutting on product dev when sales is flat is not good - they understand that though so as long as I stay productive, I should be safe for a while. If I lose this client, afraid at my age might be hard to find new clients or job.

1stein · 2019-08-14T05:20:00.000Z

In terms of XT01 from Xanes.
Got it yesterday. The XP-G3 temp and tint were awful, so I swapped to N219C.
I confirm it’s hard to get to the driver, didn’t risk taking it fully apart.
Some pics from the battlefield:

MascaratumB · 2019-08-15T12:39:54.000Z

Thanks for your feedback on this 1stein!
It seems that this is more intrincate than the Amutorch! I may get the other when the time comes, I won’t be spending money in something that despite cute and useful doesn’t offer the possibility to improve the UI / driver!

Thanks again and that Nichia looks pretty good

Sprinkles · 2019-08-28T02:44:42.000Z

I just ordered the AX2 to mod. Curious, I’ve always soldered drivers into place or used retaining rings. Where/how is the best way to glue in the driver on this light?

Tom_E · 2019-08-28T12:15:04.000Z

Sprinkles:

I just ordered the AX2 to mod. Curious, I’ve always soldered drivers into place or used retaining rings. Where/how is the best way to glue in the driver on this light?

I pretty much never re-glue a driver - there's no good reason to do so. Keep the batt tube locked down on the driver and that's all - don't go loosening up the batt tube because there's no reason. Batt replacement is done at the tail, not the head. Only on lights like SRK clones where you need to replace batts by loosening the tube to head connection will it be an issue, and even for those lights I never re-glued the driver - it was never a problem for me. For the SRK clones, you can try to snug up the driver getting a soft "press-fit" to it and your good to go. I've used a good epoxy on the driver edges, then sanded down to get a tight fit.

Skylight · 2019-08-29T16:25:23.000Z

Here are some pictures of the Xanes XT01 full teardown.

The reason why I opened the flashlight is that I want to build a triple with this light. When I tried to screw out the pill, the isolation of the plus cable was stripped and the resulting short collapsed the springs because I had a 10A 18350 Keeppower inside at the time. Also I broke the thin switch PCB off the driver.

Surprisingly the glass lens is AR coated while the rest of the flashlight is not that high-end. The led is a cold white XPG3 on a non-DTP aluminium MCPCB. The pill is just a thin, press fit aluminium piece. If you want to get it out you have to remove the USB rubber cover and pry it out with a screwdriver then. The driver is 17mm on the flat sides and 19mm on the bigger side. The driver is actually not bad, the mode spacing is nice and there is no visible PWM. However, the UI is horrible because it turns on only if you press the switch for 2-3 s. I even thought it was broken because the green switch light turns on only together with the main led. But honestly who would press a switch that long on an EDC when you may need light immidiately?!

I will put in a 19mm driver and replace the scrappy alu piece with some solid copper. The front opening of the XT01 (17.8 mm) is very similar to the one on the Convoy S2+ (17.5 mm) so a triple should fit perfectly. The reflector is 20.5 mm in diameter and 11 mm high.

MascaratumB · 2019-09-02T17:52:29.000Z

Thanks for your information on this light Skylight! And sorry that you damaged the components of your driver :zipper_mouth_face:
The design of this and also the SS material tell me that the AX2 will be better for me to mod, and as seen by yours and Tom E’s pictures, it will be a lot easier to get it done! I do appreciate your report on it and wish you good work to mod it into a triple with a better driver and UI

Skylight · 2019-09-02T21:23:08.000Z

Thank you, MascaratumB! If you damage something in a flashlight it is a sign that you have to rebuild it. I will see how this works with a triple and if it is too much heat for a SS light. I’m glad if I could help anyone who wants to take apart their XT01.

It really seems the AX2 is much better with the driver easy to swap and an integrated shelf. There should be more 18350 flashlights with side switch.

Skylight · 2020-05-11T18:43:27.000Z

Recently I have modded both my Xanes XT01 and Amutorch AX2. I saw in this thread that the Amutorch AX2 would be easier to mod so at the next occasion I ordered one. I gave up my triple plans for the XT01 as it is hollow and stainless steel and decided to keep it as original with a single led.

The Xanes XT01 got a 17mm TA driver with Anduril, a 4000K SST20 and a copper spacer inside.

The Amutorch AX2 got a 22mm Lexel Anduril driver, triple sliced LH351D 5000K 90CRI and an aux led board.

These are two great 18350 EDC flashlights now.

Tom_E · 2020-05-11T19:14:12.000Z

Nice! What's all the solder doing there on the AX2? The Xanes got the copper spacer? Thought the triple AX2 would have?

Skylight · 2020-05-11T21:11:30.000Z

Thanks TomE.

The solder on the AX2 driver is to improve the contact to the battery tube and to prevent wearing down the outer ring. The AX2 design relies on direct contact to the battery tube as the threads and the driver cavity are completely anodized.

Yes, they both have a copper spacer, ~2mm for the Xanes XT01 and 3mm for the triple AX2. I wanted to emphasize that I used a copper piece glued with thermal conductive glue onto the driver instead of the original press fit alu piece.

Tom_E · 2020-05-11T21:32:15.000Z

Ahh, ok. On my AX2 mod, I was getting good contact from the batt tube to the driver so didn't add any solder or anything. On other Amutorch mods I did, the stock driver had an extra brass ring and I used my hot air gun to remove and transferred it to the new replacement driver. I did that with the AX3 and AX4. I think I removed the one from the AX2 but decide not to use it. That contact point between the tube and driver shouldn't be getting much wear since it doesn't need to be opened to get to the battery.

AX4, brass ring removed:

Now transferred, with a little sanding down at the green mark to be sure no inadvertent contacts: