noob:cheap flashlight mod voltage question

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

Hi all, hopefully somebody can advise me here, im trying to modify a cheap cree q5 torch i purchased here.

it has an 18650 battery, 20mm driver and a cree q5 led.

there is probably space for a 21700 battery with a bit of finessing, and id like to go a bit crazy and fit a cree xhp50.2 led.

im sure itll melt the torch if i leave it on for a long period, but im not after all-night performance, thats what the low power modes will be for.

ive been looking on kaidomain, and im planning to buy a dedomed 50.2 led and driver there.

my question is as follows:

i can choose either a 6v 50.2 led and a boost driver, or, they sell a 3v version of the 50.2 which ive not seen anywhere else…

logic is telling me that the 3v led with a non-boost driver would be more efficient, since the voltage matches closer to the battery…

however kaidomain said the 6v would be better as the 3v one draws more current and so generates more heat…?! surely if they are both 18w the heat should be the same, and the 6v one would generate more heat from the step up driver (maybe?)

any thoughts?

2

Save yourself all the effort and buy a host that can handle some heat and buy a decent driver.

Driver will cost 10,5

http://kaidomain.com/Flashlight-DIY-and-Tools/Circuit-Board-Driver-Board/S026606-H1-A-20mm-3A-1-cell-1-Mode-or-5-Mode-Boost-Driver-Circuit-Board-for-Cree-XHP50-6V-MT-G2-MK-R2?sort=p.price&order=DESC

Led will cost 9,5

http://kaidomain.com/Cree-XHP50_2-De-domed-White-6500K-LED-Emitter?search=Xhp50.2

Host 20

http://kaidomain.com/Flashlight-DIY-and-Tools/diy-flashlight-shell-or-flashlight-host/S028284-DIY-KF8-LED-Flashlight-Host-138mm-x-32_5mm-Desert-Sand

So to prevent disappointments for your Q5 light, just buy these component with a nice host, and you will end up happy, with a decent build.

Or buy a complete light for less $ (but less fun)
http://kaidomain.com/KDIY-KF8-Cree-XHP50_2-2650-Lumens-LED-Flashlight?search=Kf8

I think kaidomain even offers 5% discount for BLF members with code blf

Or just buy an astrolux FT03 with XHP50 for 35$
However, i would advise a Convoy L2 or L21A

Or
https://www.1thedeals.com/product/nightwatch-ni40-stalker-sst40-2400lm-xhp50-2-3800lm-dedomed-26650-flashlight/
(The advertisement is wrong, there is one false trailing zero)

3

Thanks for the super fast reply… I might well end up doing as you advise… I do want something that fits in the pocket, the full beam would just be for fun, i doubt i need so much output for normal use.

In any case, any opinion on the 3v vs 6v question? Which is more efficient?

Thanks!

4

Shouldn’t matter much, but the kaidomain H1-A driver is 6V.

You can read Djozz his review HERE !