Ducaticorse
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2007
- Messages
- 78
I have had numerous "backchannel" PM exchange with several CPF'ers regarding usage of the P7 in the Aleph-compatible family of lego lights, mainly as research for my own project. I know there are bits and pieces of info floating around in threads out there, but thought it might be helpful to try to gather up a bunch of info in once place regarding the modification and use of the McR series of reflectors (or other "Custom & Modified" reflectors) with the SSC P7. I hope some of the others I've chatted with will chime in with their own experiences so we can build a little one-stop-shopping information base for others who are interested in this type of light. My contribution is below:
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I had originally jumped into the Aleph-compatible world with one of Don's EN AMC Mule sets and paired it with one of Derek's (datiLED) P7 Aleph Mule light engines. I was really happy with this setup. I personally got along nicely with the slightly-funky UI (hey, I'm a slightly funky guy!) of the FluPIC and the assignable levels made for the ability to set up 1) an ultra-low, 2) a reasonably hot and 3) 1.2A Burst configuration that works really well for my particular needs.
Then, like any proper downward spiral - it began. The collecting of Aleph/E-compatible parts. I ended up with a few nice configurations, including an A1 "tribute"
27mm Ti head from Chao (erinO919) using the McR27. I had been kicking around using this head a couple different ways, most likely with a U2SVOH on a FluPIC driver.
I was at my buddy Alex's house (he's a toolmaker/machinist) goofing off with him in his shop and after experimenting with the 27mm reflector and the LE, we decided to try to open the McR27 to accept this P7 emitter. Yes, I realize that it's "only" being driven at ~1.2A in this LE, and the P7 is really driven to perform at something more than 2x this - but we had a lathe handy and the initial look-see suggested that this might produce something nice. :shrug: I'm hoping to test this same setup (except on an 18650 body) with a Bi-FluPIC sometime soon. :devil: I expect that to produce some pretty awesome results from a small package, based on comments from others who've tried it already.
I debated about whether to ream/bore the ID of the reflector to simply make the hole larger, or to face off (axially) the rear surface of the reflector on the lathe until the natural parabolic shape left us with a larger opening. We chose the latter and set off. We ended up after some experimentation with a reflector whose overall length was reduced by approx 0.72mm. This gave an emitter opening of 10mm - enough for the P7 with a little bit to spare.
I was initially concerned that we'd taken off too much, I was figuring to open the reflector to something closer to 9mm and fit tightly to the P7's dome. We assembled the light and found a really nice beam pattern. In fact, I think that it's definitely one of the more usable "real world" beam patterns I've tried. Nice big hotspot, no donut, and a really bright spill area. The "cross" of the four dies starts to become visible only on a while wall at ranges of 8" or less. It makes an awesome indoor/house light and it had surprisingly decent reach outdoors. It's not a big thrower, but I find anymore that pinpoint throw doesn't really work for me in real-world use, with a couple very specific exceptions. (see beamshot at the bottom of this post)
Here are the dimensions:
15.32mm - Don's design overall length for the McR27 (standard)
14.60mm - Overall length after cutting
~10mm - Emitter opening
One unfortunate side effect of the reflector cut-down this way is that the overall stack space (between the McClickie spring and the LE) for the battery increases due to the shorter reflector. While I can't recommend the use of a magnet due to safety concerns, I personally chose to use one to help fill this extra space. It works just fine. I found that I needed the magnet to help ensure robust electrical contact whether using one of Don's Ti McClickie Paks, an original Aleph body, or the M_M 18650 split body. Personally, it's a tradeoff I can live with.
Here are some pics to help explain in case my text description is not clear to those reading.
Host:
Components:
Reflector AFTER CUTTING DOWN - This axial length dimension was originally 15.32mm
Derek's P7 FluPIC LE:
Front View into the Reflector
AW's RCR123 with Magnet - I used a pair of thin magnets, pressed into a cut-down rubber grommet to help protect against a short
AW cell with magnet in place
"Quickie" (sorry, still a newb at beamshots) Beamshot, comparison to NovaTac 120P on "MAX" for reference:
______________________________________________
I had originally jumped into the Aleph-compatible world with one of Don's EN AMC Mule sets and paired it with one of Derek's (datiLED) P7 Aleph Mule light engines. I was really happy with this setup. I personally got along nicely with the slightly-funky UI (hey, I'm a slightly funky guy!) of the FluPIC and the assignable levels made for the ability to set up 1) an ultra-low, 2) a reasonably hot and 3) 1.2A Burst configuration that works really well for my particular needs.
Then, like any proper downward spiral - it began. The collecting of Aleph/E-compatible parts. I ended up with a few nice configurations, including an A1 "tribute"
27mm Ti head from Chao (erinO919) using the McR27. I had been kicking around using this head a couple different ways, most likely with a U2SVOH on a FluPIC driver. I was at my buddy Alex's house (he's a toolmaker/machinist) goofing off with him in his shop and after experimenting with the 27mm reflector and the LE, we decided to try to open the McR27 to accept this P7 emitter. Yes, I realize that it's "only" being driven at ~1.2A in this LE, and the P7 is really driven to perform at something more than 2x this - but we had a lathe handy and the initial look-see suggested that this might produce something nice. :shrug: I'm hoping to test this same setup (except on an 18650 body) with a Bi-FluPIC sometime soon. :devil: I expect that to produce some pretty awesome results from a small package, based on comments from others who've tried it already.
I debated about whether to ream/bore the ID of the reflector to simply make the hole larger, or to face off (axially) the rear surface of the reflector on the lathe until the natural parabolic shape left us with a larger opening. We chose the latter and set off. We ended up after some experimentation with a reflector whose overall length was reduced by approx 0.72mm. This gave an emitter opening of 10mm - enough for the P7 with a little bit to spare.
I was initially concerned that we'd taken off too much, I was figuring to open the reflector to something closer to 9mm and fit tightly to the P7's dome. We assembled the light and found a really nice beam pattern. In fact, I think that it's definitely one of the more usable "real world" beam patterns I've tried. Nice big hotspot, no donut, and a really bright spill area. The "cross" of the four dies starts to become visible only on a while wall at ranges of 8" or less. It makes an awesome indoor/house light and it had surprisingly decent reach outdoors. It's not a big thrower, but I find anymore that pinpoint throw doesn't really work for me in real-world use, with a couple very specific exceptions. (see beamshot at the bottom of this post)
Here are the dimensions:
15.32mm - Don's design overall length for the McR27 (standard)
14.60mm - Overall length after cutting
~10mm - Emitter opening
One unfortunate side effect of the reflector cut-down this way is that the overall stack space (between the McClickie spring and the LE) for the battery increases due to the shorter reflector. While I can't recommend the use of a magnet due to safety concerns, I personally chose to use one to help fill this extra space. It works just fine. I found that I needed the magnet to help ensure robust electrical contact whether using one of Don's Ti McClickie Paks, an original Aleph body, or the M_M 18650 split body. Personally, it's a tradeoff I can live with.
Here are some pics to help explain in case my text description is not clear to those reading.
Host:
Components:
Reflector AFTER CUTTING DOWN - This axial length dimension was originally 15.32mm
Derek's P7 FluPIC LE:
Front View into the Reflector
AW's RCR123 with Magnet - I used a pair of thin magnets, pressed into a cut-down rubber grommet to help protect against a short
AW cell with magnet in place
"Quickie" (sorry, still a newb at beamshots) Beamshot, comparison to NovaTac 120P on "MAX" for reference:
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