XML Mini Ma@

I'm planning on building a direct-drive setup in a Mini Ma@ 2 AA. It'll consist of an XML powered by two LiNiCoO2 14500's or two IMR 14500's. I'm not too well versed in the electrical side of things, so I have two questions. First, what power of resistor do I need to get the battery voltage down to the forward voltage of the led? Second, would I have to use IMR's or can I use the standard LiNiCoO2's for a little more capacity?

This light is going to be for the shock factor of a crazy amount of lumens coming out of a Mini Ma@. Runtime doesn't matter, it just needs to be as bright as possible. Also, the light will probably not be used for more than 30 seconds at a time.

You would be wasting over half the energy in heat by using two batteries. Basically burning one battery off as heat. If run time doesn't matter use one IMR 14500. A XML would have some where around a 3.3vf at 3amps. You can use this to calculate your resistor value. I think you would need about a 3 watt even though the calculator says 9 watt.

If u really want the wow factor and u are planning on using 14500's....cut the mag down to the size of only one cell....it'll really wow...but u need to heat sink that led or u will burn it out even in 30 seconds if u plan to run it at its max.

On second thought, u dont have to cut it if u dont want, use a dummy cell in place of the second 14500...maybe even make it a holder for that power resistor u plan to use.

Thr3Evo is right on the mark. Either cut down or dummy cell...but absolutely no reason to use 2 14500's unless you are using a buck driver. Here's one of a few I did awhile back:




It's a triple xpg, but would be similar with an xml. It uses a 3 mode driver and a AW 14500. This particular one is using nice NW emitters, but I've made one with CW R5's that'll do over 1100L OTF. I need to make another with the xpg2's now...just to bump that number up a notch . Yes, they'll be a "wow" light on high but are actually quite usable considering the 3 modes.... and a lot more unique than just about any other 1xAA pocket light.

Good luck with the build!

Banging job on that lil mag, Match. I'm actually working on a similar setup myself, just waiting on some xpe's. After making two shorty D mags(single and triple xml) I found the courage to tare a mini mag apart, haha. Btw ima steal the clip idea if u don't mind.

Speaking of the clip, did you make it out of spring steel or some such?

He makes them from stainless welding rod.