cutting xp-g reflector effects

[doctaq]

i want to mod a akoray 106 ( or whichever the AA model is)

emitter swap to xp-g and i want to be able to use a reflector rather than an optic, however the problem is that the reflector is very long and i already plan on using a protected 14500 which will make it even longer so i feel like my only solution to make it all fit together is to cut the top (widest part?) of the reflector.

how will this affect the beam?

 

[wechnivag]

i think the best throw is generated from the part of the reflector furthest from the LED, ie the part you are planning to remove.

So i guess you will lose some throw and end up with a bigger hotspot?

 

[aEx155]

i think the best throw is generated from the part of the reflector furthest from the LED, ie the part you are planning to remove.

So i guess you will lose some throw and end up with a bigger hotspot?

You are both right and wrong.

Deeper reflectors capture more light since they have a larger surface to reflect the light forward. Theoretically, every part of the reflector contributes to more throw; there is no part that generates the "best throw".

You are right in saying that cutting the reflector will reduce the amount of throw you will get, but it won't necessarily result in a larger hotspot; the size of the hotspot is based on the shape of the reflector. What will increase in size is the amount of spill (any light that isn't captured by the reflector).

Hope that helps.

 

[doctaq]

much appreciated fellas, so will the brightness of the spill increase or the size of the spill?

i'll probably give it a try tonight and make a build thread sometime soon

 

[ledpwr]

Only the spill width will increase because the light that used to hit the reflector and get directed forwards now becomes new spill so some of the lumens will be transfered from the hotspot to the spill reducing throw and possibly hotspot size but increasing spill angle. Personally I like torches with a wide spill angle because it uses more of your peripheral vision and acts like a flood light.

The outer part of the reflector does collaminate the beam the most because it is further away from LED. This is why large reflectors are better for throw as more of the reflector is further away from the light source.

 

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

I'd like to know what you are planning on cutting the reflector with. How do you plan on protecting the delicate surface of the reflector and prevent dings or chips?

 

[doctaq]

i figure on cutting it with the plastic blade on a dremel, i have a few to try so if that doesnt work ill try a few more dremel bits.

 

[wechnivag]

I was going from gut feel. But if the hotspot size depends on the shape of the reflector, what prevents one from taking a 2" MAG reflecter (for eg) and cutting the front part off until it fits in a P60 sized host (for eg) and still have the same hotspot size as a stock Maglite reflector? Probably going to lose quite a bit of throw, and i assume the hotspot size will be bigger...

 

[doctaq]

alright so now i think i might not be getting the led all the way into the reflector due to the soldering points blocking it up, further modding tonight.

i ended up using the thin cut wheel for the dremel to cut and it didnt mess it up much, although there was some flappy plastic on the edges (it was a plastic reflector by the way)

 

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

Any chance you could post a pic or two? I've ruined a few reflectors just by touching them and have, in a few instances, wanted to do what you are doing - but don't know if it's worth the risk.

 

[doctaq]