I'm no Modder, but I can Solder. NovaTac 120 Upgrade!
- Thread starter bansuri
- Start date
Help Support CPF:
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
Gatsby
Enlightened
I'll let you know, I bought an Ra Twisty 120 specifically for this project.
You know I was wondering about this very thing, well, a related thing. Given your move to twisties I was wondering what would become of your cool Novatac K2 mod since there is no Novatac twisty and now I realize I completely overlooked the Ra Twisty! 😱
A method to your madness indeed... :devil:
And FWIW you've convinced me to mod my Novatac 120P although, given my rusty soldering skills, since I am no modder and haven't soldered in 20+ years I entrusted mine to an experienced modder! I'm not ready to turn my beloved 120P into a paperweight quite yet!
Good eye, Gatsby! I've got high hopes for the Twisty mod, but I don't think I'll be able to give up the Novatac, it's too much fun. Nothing like press+hold for full output to really light things up. I think the Nova's size and ergonomics are just perfect for me, plus it's obscene to have that much light coming out of a light so small. I do love the Twisty though, just not the tint. Hopefully this will remedy that to some extent.
I'll measure the draw at the emitter and do some before and after shots, (with proper exposures this time), and post my results. I will post that over on the proper forum this time and post a link here. Gotta keep it organized.
Glad to hear you're getting yours modded! Please post impressions.
nanotech17
Flashlight Enthusiast
Well,i have put the XPG in both my Novatac & L2D and they are bright especially the Novatac,WOW what a hotspot,at first i'm scared i might burn the XPG because it is so bright,but unfortunately my AA is not set and both of them are smoking 😀 but the emitter are fine i guess i have the AA cooked 😀
so i have to put them under the sun first and let the AA dry :thumbsup:
so i have to put them under the sun first and let the AA dry :thumbsup:
What's nice about putting it in the L2D is that you can try different reflectors on the emtter to see what the beam looks like. The emitter sits right out there in front when you take the headcap/bezel off. I have one in a P2D, same thing.
I picked up a black 120P just for the K2 mod. This afternoon I installed the K2. This evening I took both my original 120P and my modified K2-120P for a walk with the dog. The K2 is a good bit brighter than the original LE and I do like the warm tint. It does look close to an incandescent light in color rendition.
There is a small field on one of our dog walk routes where we will normally do a rabbit count. Tonight, five rabbits all present and accounted for, and much easier to spot them with the K2-120P. Not only was the additional brightness of the K2 making it easier to spot the rabbits I think the tint made them easier to see as well. I'll keep carrying an monkeying with the K2-120P and give you some more impressions after a week or two.
Now what's this XPG-120P going to be like?
Later,
HB
There is a small field on one of our dog walk routes where we will normally do a rabbit count. Tonight, five rabbits all present and accounted for, and much easier to spot them with the K2-120P. Not only was the additional brightness of the K2 making it easier to spot the rabbits I think the tint made them easier to see as well. I'll keep carrying an monkeying with the K2-120P and give you some more impressions after a week or two.
Now what's this XPG-120P going to be like?
Later,
HB
Bansuri,
Thanks for starting this great thread! I've ordered my K2's and Arctic alumina from photonfanatic and can hardly wait for everything to arrive. I also needed a new soldering station for this and some other projects so a new Hakko 936 is on its way as well! 🙂
Thanks for starting this great thread! I've ordered my K2's and Arctic alumina from photonfanatic and can hardly wait for everything to arrive. I also needed a new soldering station for this and some other projects so a new Hakko 936 is on its way as well! 🙂
You're welcome! This is just the thing I needed to go over the edge with flashoholism, sounds like you too. Of course this should've gone in the Homemade and Modified lights forum but I'm willing to bet that a lot of CPFers don't get over there much as there's already so much to keep up with over here in LED Flashlights.
It's great to be able to breath new life in to an "older" light with a driver that is (seems) sufficient for modern emitters. Manufacturers have to weigh many factors when sourcing components for products, while it seems easy for us to swap an LED on a whim these companies have printed tons of literature, made the ads, printed the boxes, specsheets, etc... so they can't just change emitters midway through a product's life cycle, especially for one that's probably pushing the limits of the light,..
But WE can! :devil:
I've ordered some more K2s and have bought some more lights, alligator clips for proper readings, you've bought a new soldering station... will it all be worth it? Probably. We'll have the sickest lights around and a deeper understanding of how these things work. Also, who knows what paths will open up to us now that we have this new knowledge?
BTW, that Hakko looks awesome!
aceo07
Enlightened
I upgraded my HDS U60 (SSC P4 upgraded) to K2 tonight. I have to get used to the most focused hotspot. Unfortunately I didn't plan that well and the K2 is not perfectly centered. It was a snug fit, but I guess it wasn't trimmed evenly on all sides. I have a spare K2, so when I get adventurous again, I will redo my efforts.
The beam seems fine, but not as smooth as the SSC P4. There is a small black hole in the hotspot. I assume it's a focus issue.
I would hope for a power outage, but I don't have a UPS for my cable modem and router... 🙂
The beam seems fine, but not as smooth as the SSC P4. There is a small black hole in the hotspot. I assume it's a focus issue.
I would hope for a power outage, but I don't have a UPS for my cable modem and router... 🙂
KDOG3
Flashlight Enthusiast
Bansuri: Please post the pics and mod details in this thread or link to them! I'm only a few days away from ordering a Ra (haven't decided which model yet) and can't wait to see how it works out. And I hope it doesn't lose any efficiency!
kz1000s1
Enlightened
Something I need to add about installing a K2 in Novatacs and HDS EDC's.
If you are referring to Arctic Alumina epoxy, you don't need to glue the emitter in. The orginal led isn't glued, the reflector holds it down. All you really need is AA paste or something like it. There isn't anything wrong with using epoxy functionally, it'll just be more difficult to upgrade in the future.
KDOG3
Flashlight Enthusiast
Really? Thats interesting. I think I have some AA from CPU upgrade I did on my comp. Same stuff?
kz1000s1
Enlightened
Yes, It should be. I use Arctic Silver I got from a computer store.
In a Novatac you may even be able to reuse the original paste.
Also, whatever you use, it's main purpose is to fill any irregularities between
the bottom of the led and the heatsink so carefully push the led down
(don't push on the clear dome!) to contact the heatsink.
I just used computer CPU thermal paste on the novatac, and really you don't need much at all. Literally just a thin, thin film. Also put some around the edge of the engine assembly so it transfers well to the head.
I've got a drop-in and a couple other mods that will require a little adhesive help, thus the 2-part.
Once you've started, you can never stop.
kz1000s1
Enlightened
How true!
I love my 2 year old 120p, but this thread has given me the itch to upgrade. I don't want to risk ruining my 120p, so I think I will buy a 85t to play with. Which emiter is safer for the lights circitry, the K2 or the XP-G?
my parts list is as follows:
Novatac 85t
UCL lens
7/8" GID o-ring (under lens)
RPM Ti bezel
NyoGel 760G (for threads)
NyoGel 779ZC (for o-rings)
Emiter (K2 or XP-G)
Thermal compound
What am I missing?
my parts list is as follows:
Novatac 85t
UCL lens
7/8" GID o-ring (under lens)
RPM Ti bezel
NyoGel 760G (for threads)
NyoGel 779ZC (for o-rings)
Emiter (K2 or XP-G)
Thermal compound
What am I missing?
aceo07
Enlightened
Both LEDs are fine and shouldn't cause problems. You just need to trim the edges of the board so it will fit inside the heatsink.
kz1000s1
Enlightened
Both emitters should be safe to use. I've done swaps with both, though the XP-G hasn't been in use long. The K2 is much easier to install and has a tighter beam with more throw. You're likely to get higher output modding your 120. After getting comfortable with the mod on the 85 you could try it on the 120 also.
kz1000s1
Enlightened
You're probably right. A lot of members may never look at that forum. It can be a place that seems complicated and intimidating. However, there are also many proven, easy mods like this one.
Thanks for bringing it into the spotlight!
Would the 120 be less suseptable to faliure than the 85 would?
