KL4 dilemma - Help needed

Mobius

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Nov 18, 2003
Messages
26
Location
San Jose, CA
I'm trying to put a TW0K into KL4(don't ask why, just had to /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) and I know this isn't exactly something new and exciting so please bear with me... After digging through various threads and posts I'm more confused than ever.

Here's what I gather:

1)For 1x123 application I can keep the stock circuit?
2)For 2x123 application I need to replace the stock circuit with a buck converter?
3)Is there a way to let a luxIII KL4 run on either 1 or 2 cells?
3)What is the current draw on the stock ciruit? Can it be changed by swapping out the resistors?

I'm aware that I can save myself all these trouble by going with other better alternative such as Aleph. However, I just really like the form factor of KL4 and I have three of them lying around /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Any input are welcomed.
 
You can change the bias on the stock converter. In stock form it is biased for around 630mA. I believe the sense resistor is a .33 ohm resistor and is near the edge of the board. You can boost output to 1A by soldering a 1 ohm resistor in parallel with the .33 ohm resistor.

After doing the change, you can then run a Lux III on the stock converter at 500mA or a single 123 or 1A on a single li-ion cell. 2X123 or more will likely cook everything.

If you want to be able to run it on 1X123 or 2X123, then you'll need to go with a Wiz2 board, but running a Wiz2 light at greater than 500mA on a single 123 is a bit dicey.

I've done a few dozen KL4 mods, in different ways, and it may be worthwhile for you if you already have a KL4 and want to do something different with it. The manner in which you should mod it depends on the battery configuration that you want to run it on.
 
Chop,

You are the master of KL4 mods. I still remember that great TWAK (I think) you made for me.

Wilkey
 
Thanks Tony. You're the MAN when it comes to KLx mods.

For now I think I'll go with a single 123 and stock converter. Now only if you can tell me what type of resistor are those, or what spec should I use. Browsing through film resistor catalog is giving me headaches. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Guys,

Thanks for the kind words, but I can't take credit for all of that. Although I did get a bit creative with the mod process, all of the information (the important stuff) came from CM. I am a fast learner though.
 
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