sky ray 3xT6 - now modded

some pictures…
maybe someone can identify the driver and give me hints for mods
(moar power and less disco ;))

LEDs

Diameter of Wire AND Insulation…

there is NO pill!
LEDs are mounted direct to the Head (“base” is about 3mm thick)

Driver

Looks like the same driver as in the light I modded for a local guy. I dont have the light anymore. Modded it earlier this year..

Like mentioned, its not that mod friendly. First you have to split the driver... Then you get access to some resistors that are limiting current.

You see R068 and R130. On my driver I added 3xR120 in parallel. That bumped emitter current from about 1,3 to 3,07A to each emitter. Drain from two batteries in series were then around 4,9Amp after that mod. Since the light is properly regulated that number will increase as battery voltage gets lower.

The issue with resistor modding the driver, is that it can behave a bit "sketchy". If you have it on a mode for some time, it can refuse to change mode, unless you turn the light on and off again.

I lowered the emitter current below 3A, but still had the issues. Depending on how you use the light you might never see the issue. It does not happen right away. I did a fair amount of testing if it had any reliability issues, and I did not run into any. Owner have never mentioned it, he was aware of the issue..

There are alternative drivers in case you mess it up, or want to avoid blinky modes. I am not aware of any drivers that will give you emitter current in the 2,5-3A range without resistor mods and such.. Having two batteries in series and 3 emitters is probably the least attractive emitter to battery combo when it comes to have good choices in high output driver circuits..

I also upgraded the emitters to 3x XM-L2 U2 1A and de-domed one of the emitters.

thanks!

dedomed one emitter ?

how does the beam change? made you beamshots?

No beamshots of that light..

See this thread for beamshots of various lights with mixed emitters.

More about tint mixing here.

Do you have any links to those drivers?
I have a triple emitter Fandyfire G36 that I really like. If I could find a driver that has no memory, always starts on high, and has no blinky modes, I would be even happier.
Most of the triple emitter drivers I found require 3 cells, or have the same 5 modes with memory that I already have.

3 mode driver with no blinky stuff..

http://kaidomain.com/product/details.S020121

Double check dimensions with your light.

It will give you about 2 amp to each emitter from 2 cells in series. Mode changing is a bit slow, and its got some PWM whine..

Its possible to resistor mod for higher output.

Found HKJs review for that driver.

Might be just what I need.

I changed the wires (between LEDs and down to the driver)…

but Amps did not rise :_(

i saw the resistors where the mod should be made - but i have to get parts …

btw: is it possible to use a 100 Ohm Potentiometer?
like that…

Changing out wires to heavier gauge probably will not help by itself for a light like this. Or, you may measure same amps but you may have improved the loss's going to the LED's, so may be more brighter. However, 1.6A tail means 3.2A between 3 LEDS, about 1A per LED - wires probably don't make any measurable difference at 1A.

If you crank up the amps though, it should then help.

how do you calculate the amps?

2 cells in series, and if you measure 1.6A at the tail, that means 3.2A effective at about 4v. Each LED is about 4v, so, divide 3.2A by 3... Not sure if this explanation is what you meant... There are some loss's, depending on the driver, etc., so loss's may be very low or significant, at most maybe 20% or so.

If you want to get rid of the flashy modes, have to swap out the driver. I've upgraded these type of lights with a driver swap - that KD one might have been one I used - nice power, simple modes. It's pricey, but you know - "if you want to play" ... Just be certain it's the right size, if you order one. Always a risk with these high powered buck/boost drivers though, but sounds like RaceR86 has had good luck. My 2 lights I modded also worked out well (FandyFire STL-2, and other 3 LED, 2 cell light).

what should I look for when seeking a new driver?

2 LiIon
3 led in series (or more?)
diameter

the kd driver (Linked above) seems to have temperature issues…

like that one?

Is there any way to trick the driver into being single mode? Basically make it so it never knows that modes are being cycled. If it always reverted to high when turned on that would be great too. I really hate all the other modes.

Fasttech delivered 100pcs “R100” SMD resistors…

FU……… sooo small :open_mouth:

i soldered one of them pigyback on my “R130”

a wonder i managed to put the doubledecker driver back together….

results: (my Eagtacs had 4,11 V)
2,35 A at the Tailcap -> + 50%
2350 “Lightnumbers” -> + 40%
(my UF-T8 with 3Amp kd-driver does 1100 Lightnumbers - meassured with my smatphone, ceilingbounce in my dusty cellar)

The Kaidomain 5*XML boost driver will give you’re SkyRay 3xT6 3.4A per emitter with two cells. I’m using one in my FandyFire STL-V2.

do you have a link please?

5 LED Series 3-Mode Low Voltage Protection for Two li-ion Battery Circuit Board

thanks !

KD 5*XML Boost Driver. The Little Driver that could. The best of the Beasties.