Nitecore EC11 - need replacement red LED

I opened up my new EC11 today and swapped out the cool white XML2 for a neutral white 4D tint XML2.

Unfortunately, in the process of testing the reflowed LED, I accidentally direct-connected a 14500 to the red LED. It still lights, but is now very dim. It’s usable as a battery indicator but no longer usable for actually lighting anything.

I need a replacement red LED. It appears to be maybe 2 or 3mm. I need the brightest one I can find. Any suggestions?

On the upside, even though I killed the red LED, the new neutral tint XML2 looks way better than the stock cool white.

Isn’t it just a generic 3mm led?

Can you post pictures of tearing the light down? I just got mine and I’m tempted to do something about the horrible pattern the red led makes.

It probably is just a generic red LED.

The bezel is held on with red threadlocker. I wrapped rubber indoor stairway grip tape around it and the body and then unscrewed. No pliers needed.

With the bezel off the lens, o-ring and reflector come right out. Inside is a thin aluminum star containing both LEDs. The star has white thermal compound underneath. Except for the extra wire and extra LED it’s pretty much just like any other emitter swap.

And yeah… I think it’s a generic red LED. Have any suggestions on where to get one that’s as bright as possible? I ordered some from Ebay (something like $3.80 for a 100 of them. 4000 mcd), but I’m not sure if this is as bright as I can get.

I successfully replaced the red LED.

It turns out it was just a generic red LED. I ordered a bag of 100 of them for $4 from an Ebay U.S. seller. Took only 3 days to arrive. The new red LED seems just as bright as the original one. :slight_smile:

How did you open it? I tried everything and managed only to get a fair amount of scratches on the head…

I like my new EC11, even preferring it over my new Olight S1. It just ‘does more.’ Love all the modes. Yea, I wish it came in neutral! I put diffusion film on the lens, it really makes a much nicer beam, and sort of even makes the red beams glow :slight_smile:

that saypat,I lost mt s1 when my wife and I broke down in the middle of nowhere, so when I went to get a replacement I opted for the EA11 and found it on fasttech for 39.00 ,so I ordered it and I really really like it especially the output and the red light I do miss the magnet so I ordered some 20mm magnets to and hopefully I’ll be able to et in the tail cap under the -spring

$39 is a good price. Yea, I would like a magnet in the tailcap, let me know if that works for you? It is one of my favorite lil lights …. I don’t care what they say about runtime :stuck_out_tongue:

Yeh, report back please L Junkie with results of your magnet mod. I tried a while back on the EA11 and apparently did not have proper size/thickness of magnet. Couldn't get it to fire up proper. If your magnet works out, please let us know the size.

did the magnet cause any permanent damage to the light or the driver?

No. Not at all. Didn't have right size and there was some binding movin around goin on. Not good contact. If I had a large selection of magnets, I'm sure I could have found one to fit proper.

I'm pretty sure the largest diameter magnet that will fit INSIDE THE BASE OF THE TAILCAP SPRING with only couple mm thickness is what is needed.

the ones I have coming in are only 1mm thick