Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

[LED Zeppelin]

This is a light I built for Donn, and there are some noteworthy differences from the previous MDs: the use of one Remora controlling multiple Sharks, the 3" Delghi head, and the Leef system Mag D neck.

The Leef neck required some modding to make it suitable for this application. The PCB was fixed to prevent rotation and fatigue of the soldered leads, a high-current ground tab was installed to bypass the stock spring-loaded PCB-rim-to-inner-shoulder ground, and the (+) contact spring was replaced with a shaped brass bolt to eliminate the possibility of a short due to spring dislocation.

Two #4-40 holes were tapped in the inner shoulder of the Leef neck for the ground tab and PCB fixing screw, and the PCB was drilled out for the contact bolt.

The Leef system has the advantage of being modular and allowing easy reconfiguration of the cell solution.

The Remora and Sharks were wired according to the diagram in this thread. I added top-side micro sinks to the IC and diode of the Sharks. Though probably not necessary for this mod, they'll help keep the Sharks happy in low cell voltage/high boost conditions.

Hardware:

- Delghi 3" head
- BigLeef system Mag D neck
- (9) Cree XRE R2 WG emitters
- (8) McR19XR reflectors w/ Mirage_Man centering rings
- (1) McR27XR reflector w/ MM centering ring
- (1) Remora, SOS version
- (3) parallel SF-V Shark drivers, each driving (3) Crees in series. One mother Shark wired to the Remora, and two slaves wired to the mother
- (3) machined aluminum SharkSink D modified for SF-V Sharks
- MDXR-9-D Heatsink CNC milled from 3" round 6061 aluminum

Specs:

- LED current on lo/med/hi = 320, 720, and 970 mA
- Vf of LED strings = 11.2 V @ 970 mA
- Light draws 5.4 A @ 7.4 V on hi, 40 Watts
- Lo level is regulated at 320 mA from Vin = 3.1 to 10.2 V.

Special thanks to Wayne for help with sorting the wiring.

Heads up Donn, it's on the way home.

 

[karlthev]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Wow for LZ and donn!!


Karl

 

[modamag]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Awsome stuff Dennis!
Glad someone is trying to raise the bar vs the incands crowd.

 

[LED Zeppelin]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Thanks Karl!

Jonathan,

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. What is interesting is that as the LED mods get more wild, the cell requirements are approaching the demands of hotwires.

The incan guys have been leading the way for cell advancement and applications, and have paved the way.

Your innovative configurable cell holder is going to please both crowds, I can't wait to see it finished.

 

[donn_]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

WOOT!!

:twothumbs

What a great looking light! I'm going to be hard-pressed to wait for it's arrival.

I'll reserve final judgment on the light on the light until I've run a set of batteries through it, but I can compliment you on the look, and most especially on the experience now. Your speed and professional (that should be spelled professianal) approach are a delight. The learning experience for a flashlight noob is worth the price of the ticket.

Thanks, and

 

[Icarus]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Another great mod Dennis! :twothumbs

 

[Aircraft800]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Dennis,

What are you powering this beast with? I'm guessing since it's a Big Leef, it's a string of A123 cells, but it looks too short

 

[donn_]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

AC800..the initial plan was to run it on 2x AW C cells, in a 2-segment BigLeef tube. That's why I only sent Dennis 2 segments. Unfortunately, the AW cells don't seem to be able to deliver the current required, so I'll probably run it on either 2x Emoli cells or maybe even 3x A123s. They fit in the tubes, and I have plenty of body segments to use.

 

[griff]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

WOW Dennis ! another Kick *** Mod!

 

[skalomax]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

He's unbelievable!

 

[LED Zeppelin]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Thanks guys!

Dennis,

What are you powering this beast with? I'm guessing since it's a Big Leef, it's a string of A123 cells, but it looks too short

Matt, Donn will have to report back on what combination of cells works best, but he's right in that Emolis or A123s are probably the best. He has way more cells and chemistries than I do, and hopefully he'll have fun playing Legos with them. That is the advantage of the modular system - with the typical Magmod, the tube and cells are dedicated to the head.

The light will hold a regulated lo level up to 10.2 V, and 3 X A123 fully charged will initially push the lo level above the regulated 320 mA. But Donn can simply use the med and hi levels until the cell votages drop if need be. Attention will have to be given to the state of charge though, running it on my power supply it would hold a regulated lo all the way down to 3.1 V where it was sucking nearly 5 amps.

The AW C cells do power the light, but only for several minutes before the protection circuit shuts them down. I'm guessing the 5.5 A draw is causing the voltage to sag below their threshold.

Actually the visual difference between the levels is not as pronounced as the numeric. Lo level is still quite bright and will obliterate night vision. On hi it's quite a thrower, the brightest Lux reading of any of my LED mods to date. About 16,400 Lux at 1.5 m. It instantly overloads my Meterman at 1 m (20K Lux).

 

[copperfox]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

If I asked how much it cost, would I get an answer?

 

[LED Zeppelin]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

copperfox,

All my MD mods use over $500 in parts, not including the host light.
Add to that an average of 10 hrs build time, and the host, and you're always close to 4 figures.

Costs could be cut by using lesser parts, but that wouldn't be the best I could do, which is always the point. For instance the heatsink could have been a simple disc to which the LEDs epoxied to, instead of CNC with the intricate pockets. All that programming and design time I absorbed for this one sink, there are no others to distribute the cost.

But look at it this way, you get nine lights in one for a bit over $100/light, or less than $0.50/lumen. Wouldn't you agree they represent one of the best values out there? . . . NOT!

But seriously, I enjoy building them and am grateful there are members out there who, regardless of cost, can appreciate the effort and detail that goes into these. I hope when they receive and use their lights they are as satisfied with the builds as I am.

 

[donn_]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

WooHoo!!

It's here!

Dennis, you've outdone yourself, and exceeded my high expectations. This thing is stunning, and I haven't even powered it sufficiently, or seen it in the dark yet. :bow: :bow:

Right now, she's running on 2x A123 cells, with a 30mm spacer, in 3 BigLeef body segments. My other A123 cells are out on loan to the Anodizing Group Buy, and I have some more on order. When they get here, I'll add a body segment and a third cell to the load.

I haven't mastered the Remora UI yet, but this thing is wicked bright, even on low.

Can't wait for dark!

 

[wquiles]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Dennis, Donn : quite a light :thumbsup:

Will

 

[TranquillityBase]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Dennis, you building these in your sleep now?

Awesome job!

 

[LED Zeppelin]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Thanks guys, and thank you Donn for the feedback.

The Remora is a bit tricky at first. The main quirk is letting the capacitor discharge for about 5 sec. before turning the light back on and switching modes. Otherwise it remembers the last level no matter what.

 

[donn_]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

Update:

I'm finally back in stock on A123 cells. I added a body segment (4x) and a 3rd cell, and she's now a fire-breather.

It's like getting a whole new light. It's a little foggy outside tonight, and this thing sends its beam further into the sky than I can see!

 

[LuxLuthor]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

W00T, Indeed !

 

[carrot]

Re: Moby **** Delghi: (9)X R2/Remora/(3)X Shark/Delghi 3" head/BigLeef Mag D neck

OK you can't get away with posting a beast like that without beamshots and a lumens estimate! Care to share some photos of it in action?