XM-L - Which light drives it the hardest?

fishinfool · March 5, 2011, 3:26am

Aloha and welcome to BLF fonzeka!

pipopopo · March 5, 2011, 3:27am

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Awww shucks....you shouldn't... (make it a stout) :beer: :bigsmile: :beer:

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Beer is well deserved! thanks!

I have a XM-L T5 that I cannot get beyond the 3.4A on one 18650 battery (DD)

fonzeka · March 5, 2011, 9:44am

Thanks guys and yes I wont be trying that again. With a fresh battery I also get around 3.4A due to the voltage sag.

It's really more than enough but I think it's perfect as a short term show off mode

Budgeteer · March 5, 2011, 10:09am

Trancersteve:

Thanks brted I will have a look at the Manafont drop-in

Christ! I just checked out Don's photo thread. Firstly great work Don! Secondly that Manafont drop-in looks incredible! I definitely will be ordering one later tonight.

On the subject of the P60 format: I do like the format I have 5 hosts that accept them but I understand that they are never going to be great at dissipating heat.

I am open to new lights/hosts if need be.

Budgeteer - I am not sure and you have me thinking about if my cells are up to the job of delivering the kind of current I want. The cells I am using are Hi-Max 2600mAh protected cells - these cells were formerly branded as WOW cells and performed well in tests. I was told by the seller that these are exactly the same cells as the WOW just rebranded.. not so sure about that now.

What cells are you using Budgeteer?

Im using hi-max myself. :)

xP.1337 · March 5, 2011, 1:34pm

yea i would say not all KD XM-L drop ins are the same

best i could pull from the KD drop in i bought off another member was 1.6 amps high.

this was off a 4.2V fully charged trustfire (flame). one that was tested to produce 2.6-2.8 amps on the shiningbeam drivers no problem.

i do not like these trustfire batteries as much as most people. problem is i dont have the money to replace mine yet. after reading tests im gonna try the tenergy ones.

jacktheclipper · March 5, 2011, 7:04pm

I ordered the Manafont dropin back in Nov. I have been using it for a while now in a Solarforce L2 . When I first got the dropin I was using an old 18650 and I wasn't at all happy with the output or tint . I then ordered a Solarforce 18650 and when I tried that new battery - WOW - NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT !

The tint and beam are MUCH improved and the light is perfect for my bike in medium mode .

All that being said , I just ordered an OP reflector for the dropin because I just can't get used to the shallow donut hole in the SMO beam . I think that the OP reflector will be the final touch to make this light great .