I have one of these and it isn't very bright. I'm guessing that it doesn't contain any electronics, I have the non-electronic version of the Pelican M6 LED and it is much brighter. I'm wondering why there is a difference and if I can mod the TL-2 to be brighter. I'm thinking maybe I can replace the LED, or if there is a resistor maybe I can swap out the resistor.
Has anyone modded a Streamlight TL-2 LED (old version)?
- Thread starter bjn70
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PhotonAddict
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I recall reading that the older one is not regulated. I have also found mine a little dim. I am currently waiting for some parts to mod mine. Though about just replacing the led especially since mine has a yellowish-green tint but I've decided that if I'm going to mess with it I may as well try to slip a Downboy converter in there as well. If everything works out as planned I'll do a little post.
I haven't disassembled the led module yet (does yours have a rivet holding it together that also acts as a +ve contact?) but if all you want to do is swap the led it looks like it should be relatively easy.
I haven't disassembled the led module yet (does yours have a rivet holding it together that also acts as a +ve contact?) but if all you want to do is swap the led it looks like it should be relatively easy.
I've only modified the newer versions (actually a Scorpion LED, but all the newer regulated ones are pretty much the same...module is just slightly different heights to accomodate the body variations). I don't see why you can't just swap emitters. The original is a LuxI, so not as bright as newer lights available.
bjn70 said:
I ran my 1st gen TL-2 LED with rechargeable for little more light. No problem back then. Now, I have replaced the TL-2 LED with a TL-3 LED module for a lot more light on the same rechargeable. The whole package is very small and very bright and very economical.
Paladin
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Finally, a TL-2 LED thread! I've had 3 of these from back when Brightguy had them on clearance. Love mine, and the wife has turned down many other lights in favor of her TL-2 LED. Hers is on a neck lanyard.
Tech wise they all had 4.0 ohm resistors, and nothing else. Tailcap current with the supplied Strealight batteries varied from 400 to 470 mA. The module could be opened, and a smaller resistor installed. BUT...
With 2 cells which measured 5.97 volt open circuit, 0.53 volt of "sag" ocurred during testing. Current was 450 mA. With 5.44 vDC actual input, the LED is seeing about 3.64 volts, for a power input of 1.6 watts. I'm not sure how much you want to bump that up.
Considering the performance of the later regulated generation, I see little point in modding these, although the rechargeable option sounds great. What I really appreciate about the older TL-2 LED is they lose output very gracefully at the end, and provide useable light even when current is down considerably. I like mine too much "as is" to bother "improving" them, but would be interested in hearing what might be possible.
OTOH, the resistored TL-3 LED is fed a conservative 3 watt input...
Paladin
Tech wise they all had 4.0 ohm resistors, and nothing else. Tailcap current with the supplied Strealight batteries varied from 400 to 470 mA. The module could be opened, and a smaller resistor installed. BUT...
With 2 cells which measured 5.97 volt open circuit, 0.53 volt of "sag" ocurred during testing. Current was 450 mA. With 5.44 vDC actual input, the LED is seeing about 3.64 volts, for a power input of 1.6 watts. I'm not sure how much you want to bump that up.
Considering the performance of the later regulated generation, I see little point in modding these, although the rechargeable option sounds great. What I really appreciate about the older TL-2 LED is they lose output very gracefully at the end, and provide useable light even when current is down considerably. I like mine too much "as is" to bother "improving" them, but would be interested in hearing what might be possible.
OTOH, the resistored TL-3 LED is fed a conservative 3 watt input...
Paladin
PhotonAddict
Enlightened
yup, I ran mine on a 17670 for quite a while. Palladin, how did you open the module? Did you just remove the rivet that forms the +ve contact. I'll probably try doing that tonight.
Well, for comparison I wonder what is inside the unregulated version of the Pelican M6 LED, resistor-wise. For more light out of the TL-2 I suppose a person could change the resistor and emitter to gain a little more output.
