This time, I’m making a slightly different kind of thread: a modding parts thread to be precise, and for repair parts as well.
I’ve had a BLF GT Mini for a while now. In fact, I’ve owned it for 3.5 years at this point.
Anyway, I’ve tried finding information about the BLF GT Mini, but no dice.
So, I’ve resorted to asking the community once again for help.
Here are the things I’ve been compiled for now
Replacement lens - 48-50mm lens
MCPCB size - 17mm, although I’m not 100% sure of that. I want to replace the LED with an SST-20 or a Nichia 519A, which is why I am asking before I open up the light.
Replacement driver - Looks like a 20mm driver board. Could it be replaced with a more capable linear+FET driver, or even a buck/boost driver(I haven’t really kept up to date with driver tech in these last 2 years).
Replacement switch cover - It looks to be a fully custom one sadly. I’ve emailed Neal to try and get a replacement, but no dice. Same thing with Lumintop, but worse.
Springs - Luckily, the springs are fairly standard, and they can be replaced with a 9x12mm(BxH) spring setup just fine, as I’ve already done so.
Contribution to this rather niche light replacement parts list, welcome!
I actually took out the mcpcb this weekend to replace the LED. It’s 20 mm, not 17. Driver is also 20 22 mm, not counting the wings that stick out more. Other items I have no answer.
Same 519a /SST-20 idea as as you. Or maybe LH351D since I have too many of them… Replace the XPL HI, but a little bit hesitant with the 519a due to the FET on turbo. SST20 is smaller, so maybe better for throw. Haven’t decided yet, that’s why I have it still lying around with the mcpcb out.
Yeah, I was wanting to get a fully regulated driver for the GT Mini at this point, because putting in a low VF LED like the SST-20 high CRI or the high CRI 519a would give the LEDs not much room to breath at all.
Any high current linear/buck driver that would work?
Fyi, your questions made me continue with it, so put a SST20 4000K in and it works fine on turbo with battery at 3,9V. Making no statements on fully charged battery yet (will update here once I have used it with a fully charged battery). But it does give a nice clean beam that I wouldn’t mind at all having with me outside. Nice small 95 CRI thrower.
Sorry I can’t provide any more help, but at least you have something to look forward to. With some tweaking it’s a very nice flashlight.
The B35AM is 3.65x3.65 so slightly larger than 3535. But I would put it in the same category as 3535. As luck would have it, I have a spare B35AM gasket (Convoy) and just tried it. It fits perfect in the GT mini reflector. You’d need a 6V driver though (or 12V if you go for B35AR). Interesting idea
Thanks for the links. Been eyeballing their stuff for a while…
Crap, I gave you wrong information concerning the driver size. It’s 22mm, not 20mm! I just took another look to see if the wings might be an issue and stuck the caliper in again. I have no idea where the error slipped in. Maybe tiredness? My apologies.
Anyway, I think I know what I’ll get for the LED and driver.
For the driver, it’s quite simple: I’ll get an Anduril buck driver.
For the LED, I’ll be getting an SST-20 4000k FD2 K2(so near the top of the brightness bin and efficiency) to get better regulation and similar throw.
Did you find a fitting Anduril driver? I can easily see that being useful for more than just the mini.
I haven’t done anything more with it. Too many things going on already atm so have to put the brakes on a few projects for the time being. And with spring around the corner, time needs to be allocated to fixing house and garden as well. Winter has taken its toll and that unfortunately cuts straight into the time I spend playing with flashlights.
I apologize i dont have time to read through this thread right now, but i wanted to drop a line to come back to later.
I am on the same mission! I have 3 GT mini right now and have been working on modding them in multiple ways -
sft40 led (using the xpl-hi SMO reflector) and 9 amp stock lumintop GT Mini Pro driver
SBT90.2 (using xpl-hi SMO reflector) and 9amp stock lumintop GT Mini Pro Driver
xpl-hi 2850k (usin SMO reflector) and xpl-hi driver (6amp i think)
I have been ordering parts straight from lumintop. they take 3-4 weeks to come in, but so far they have been great and no mistaken parts (like when i order GT mini reflectors, i ask for the 7mm opening for the xpl-hi, becasue the NM1 reflector is smaller) and they send me the right ones!
I also have been able to order GT mini Pro 9amp CC drivers from lumintop direct too. I do this through emails.
Hanks fantastic D4v2 5amp/7.5amp/9amp drivers will fit into the Gt Mini, BUT - they are designed so differently thta i cannot get them to physcially work yet. Meanining, the GT Mini driver is a "pill style" driver like an Olight Baton driver, meaning the switch is integrated onto the board, not wried off of the board like the D4v2. also, the cavity for the switch on the GT mini is about 5-6mm deep, where the D4v2 (and I use the D1s with D4v2 drivers too) is only about 2-3mm deep. this means that i have not found any way to make hanks switch to work with the Gt Mini Body. its ony a physcial limitation, the D4v2 driver does fit in t fine.
I will check back in with the multiple mods i already have done, and when i get my 3-4 GT MINI Pro drivers in. even w9th sbt90 the 9amp should do about 3000 lumens i figure.
They’re not yet available, but some new style of Anduril drivers that fit the GT Mini cavity will soon be a thing, so I’ll be replacing the 1x7135+FET compromise city style driver once and for all.
