What is going to give me the most output? I am looking to build a P60 based thrower. I know I definitely want an XP-G2 R5 1A de-domed. I already have a nice heavy duty heat-sinked host (copper P60 head) as well as Samsung 25R’s. Will a FET driver be my best option, or a stacked 7135 driver? I am looking for at least 4.5a for this build. I have never used a FET for a single XP-G2, but on my single XM-L2 builds, I have seen well over 5a sustained. I’m not really too concerned with regulation either, as it will be my play around/deer/animal searcher light(I do want modes though, hence why not just DD.)
If you want to go all out I say go for the FET driver. Many of them are single-sided as well, so it’ll look cleaner. As long as you use a Noctigon/Sinkpad and that copper head you should be fine.
Somebody will say this, so it might as well be me: a P60 will never be a true thrower, but a dedomed XP-G2 and smooth reflector is about as close as you can make it.
Somebody will say this, so it might as well be me () : a P60 will never be a good heatsinker either. OK, the OP sounds like he has found a way around that..
I vote for FET too, and your current will still struggle to reach 5A because of the higher Vf compared to XM-L2
Yeah, I’m not worried about heat sinking, I have that covered, I have built some HOT P60’s with great success. I just want to know what kind of current I can expect from a FET with the high Vf XP-G2. As I suspected, it’s not going to pan out as well as I hoped. :~
Use an XP-E2 instead of an XP-G2, for a tighter beam in a P60. Will it run 4-5 amps? Maybe, if it can keep cool. Only one way to know, try it. The spot will be noticeably tighter. No matter what led, use cool white 6000K and above. It will make a better thrower overall. Not as good for color rendition, but visually brighter and more contrast than neutral white.
If the heat sinking is good enough, you could hit it with a FET drive. I can't tell you if it will be good enough, nor what the max amps is you will get. It's all about factors that change what you might get, such as the battery, resistance, voltage drop, etc. Only way I know is to try it, but that's just me.
I advice using a 6x7135 driver for the XP-E2. You may not kill it with a FET-driver (but I think you will) but over 2.5A the output just goes down, no point in that.
) : a P60 will never be a good heatsinker either. OK, the OP sounds like he has found a way around that..