2 stage Clicky tailcap for 6p/G2?

[prof student]

Greetings. I am looking for a tailcap OR transform the stock Surefire tailcap (6p &/or G2) into a 2 stage tail cap. I will be using a Malkoff drop.


Questions are:

What tailcaps exist?
Is there anything to transform the OEM tailcaps into a 2 stage light?
What would the "low" setting be at on either modification?
Would this also work in incand?

Thanks.

 

[nfetterly]

AW developed tailcap "guts" that were 3 level with a soft start, he sold them and they were also on lighthound.com. There were two models if my memory serves me right, one for surefire clicky and one for surefire twisty. This was originally developed for high power incan bulbs - there are posts in AWs original thread that I know I made concerning their applicability on LEDs, what I remember is they WILL NOT work on a single cell, they will work on multiple cells, but I cannot remember if it worked on 2 CR123s, it would work with 2 rcr123s (or 2 18650s) I believe.

Do not believe settings were adjustable, but never saw that question before in AWs thread.

 

[Roger999]

A McE2S switch turns it into the 2 stage light, but there aren't many around, and much less people who are willing to part with it.

 

[kramer5150]

A McE2S switch turns it into the 2 stage light, but there aren't many around, and much less people who are willing to part with it.

this was the one I was thinking of too... OP it was sold through sandwich shoppe. Its not a clicky though, pres lightly for low press firmly for high. Twist the Z41 a little for low, tighten it all the way for hi. Its a GREAT UI... IMHO.

These were hard to find 3-4 years ago, impossible to find now. About as impossible to get as a Malkoff MD2 in gray type III.

 

[Erzengel]

The two stage switch of the AZ2-S should work.

 

[prof student]

AW developed tailcap "guts" that were 3 level with a soft start, he sold them and they were also on lighthound.com. There were two models if my memory serves me right, one for surefire clicky and one for surefire twisty. This was originally developed for high power incan bulbs - there are posts in AWs original thread that I know I made concerning their applicability on LEDs, what I remember is they WILL NOT work on a single cell, they will work on multiple cells, but I cannot remember if it worked on 2 CR123s, it would work with 2 rcr123s (or 2 18650s) I believe.

Do not believe settings were adjustable, but never saw that question before in AWs thread.

Thanks for the tip nfetterly. Is this the one that you are talking about?: http://www.lighthound.com/AW-Softst...P--C--M-series-Tailcaps-version-B_p_2923.html

I just emailed AW regarding if it can be used on an LED. Hopefully he will reply soon.

 

[prof student]

The two stage switch of the AZ2-S should work.

I don't think I have heard of these. Where do you get them? How reliable are they?

Thanks.

 

[Maxbelg]

I don't have a AZ2-S so have a few questions: If the threads are like on the LX2, A2L they are trapezoid threads and won't work very well on a 6P even if they fit. Can you confirm that the tailcap fits Erzengel?

 

[kramer5150]

The two stage switch of the AZ2-S should work.

x2... the OP in this thread here was able to use it on a solarforce L2 . Although he does not comment on how precise/snug the fit is.

The L2 does not have square or trapezoid tailcap threads.

 

[prof student]

x2... the OP in this thread here was able to use it on a solarforce L2 . Although he does not comment on how precise/snug the fit is.

The L2 does not have square or trapezoid tailcap threads.

What do you mean about square or trapezoid tailcap threads?

 

[prof student]

AW developed tailcap "guts" that were 3 level with a soft start, he sold them and they were also on lighthound.com. There were two models if my memory serves me right, one for surefire clicky and one for surefire twisty. This was originally developed for high power incan bulbs - there are posts in AWs original thread that I know I made concerning their applicability on LEDs, what I remember is they WILL NOT work on a single cell, they will work on multiple cells, but I cannot remember if it worked on 2 CR123s, it would work with 2 rcr123s (or 2 18650s) I believe.

Do not believe settings were adjustable, but never saw that question before in AWs thread.

Well, AW replied and said it will NOT work with LEDs. 🙁

Any other ideas guys????

 

[kramer5150]

Here you go...

Standard cut thread:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw_thread#Form

trapezoidal cut thread:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapezoidal_thread_forms

The latter are better at transmitting heavy torque loads, because it is a shallower "angle" that the transmitted thread force must "combat". A square cut thread transmits a tension/compression load without having to "pass through" the triangular geometry. I am using the wrong words here completely... and I apologize... but I hope this makes sense.

In the CPF world, square cut threads are preferred. Although I am not exactly sure why. The Surefire/solarforce.... even Ultrafire (triangular) threads to me "feel" just as nice as the square cuts in my collection.

 

[Maxbelg]

Trapezoidal threads are preferred for switches because they have less friction and are tougher. Although some makers try to tell us that trapezoid threads are always preferred I have to disagree. For threads that are not supposed to loosen easily (bezel etc) more friction seems better. I think Surefire got it right with the LX2/A2L with trapezoid threads for the tailcap and V-threads for the head.

I was really excited about this tailcap on a 6P, but if the levels are close together it makes little sense as in the link from #9

 

[Brasso]

I'm actually surprised that this particular niche in the market hasn't been exploited yet.

 

[kramer5150]

I'm actually surprised that this particular niche in the market hasn't been exploited yet.

I guess its because there are dozens of multi-mode dropins readily available. its basically just the Malkoff fans that would find it useful... I think

 

[think2x]

I would love to make my C2/M61HCRI a two stage light.

 

[nfetterly]

Well, AW replied and said it will NOT work with LEDs. 🙁

Any other ideas guys????

I'll give this a shot tomorrow. I know AW did not develop these for LEDs and they are kind of an expensive option and the soft start was really for the incans...., unless he's changed it I'm over 95% positive it will work with a multi cell LED setup.

The one in the link was the one.

 

[novice]

The McE2s was actually for the e-series lights. It was the McC2S that was for the 6P/G2 series.

The maker of those aftermarket switches stopped making them, I have heard, because Surefire claimed they were a patent infringement, and threatened legal action. SF did, however, allow the maker to sell the rest of the already-manufactured inventory.

There might also be the possibility of using the tailcaps from either the G2x Pro, or 6Px pro:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...X-Pro-Thread&p=3554281&viewfull=1#post3554281

see post #262 of the afore-mentioned thread. Forgive me for being too lame to know how to link to that specific post.

 

[Roger999]

The McE2s was actually for the e-series lights. It was the McC2S that was for the 6P/G2 series.

The maker of those aftermarket switches stopped making them, I have heard, because Surefire claimed they were a patent infringement, and threatened legal action. SF did, however, allow the maker to sell the rest of the already-manufactured inventory.

There might also be the possibility of using the tailcaps from either the G2x Pro, or 6Px pro:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...X-Pro-Thread&p=3554281&viewfull=1#post3554281

see post #262 of the afore-mentioned thread. Forgive me for being too lame to know how to link to that specific post.

The 2 mode function of the G2X/6PX Pro is in the head not the tailcap.

 

[kosPap]

I'm actually surprised that this particular niche in the market hasn't been exploited yet.

haha! I tried cornering the market but I had no chance....

Anyway prof student see my sig for a way to make one of your own.....get a solarforce L2 tailcap, an SMD resistor and some 2-stage swwitches from DX....