Modding a cheap DX headlamp with a Cree emitter

[Garnett]

I have one of these 1W LED Headlamps from DealExtreme.

I think I've blown the driver and so I want to have a go at modding it with a better emitter.

First I need to order the parts.

From my original thread I think I will need:

An emitter: I will probably go with the Q5 unless someone can offer me good reasons to go for a Seoul or something else.

A driver: This one, unless again someone knows better.

Is there anything else I need or any other tips I should bear in mind at this stage? This will be my first mod!

 

[dw51]

Garnett,

If you go with the Seoul, I would recommend this one. It should drop right in.

 

[Buck91]

I have used that Q5 star and that board in my sku1892 mod. I'll tell you this, solid couple hours of runtime on my LSD duracells (NiMH) with good brightness and no heat issues. With a 14500 li-ion in there I get 20-30 minutes of runtime but it will get quite warm in the hand. But its dang bright. Brighter than my G2 P60 (which is still bright to me! ).

 

[AvPD]

I didn't notice this thread, I'll add my message that I put on dealextreme

If anyone's thinking of fitting a higher-spec emitter and a driver to this headlamp, be warned that the heat has nowhere to go except for a little metal plate (the rest is plastic) and probably anything above 100mA at the emitter will cause it to run too hot.
A Rebel emitter is probably a good upgrade, I assume it will be brighter than a Seoul directly driven off 2xAA alkalines.

As mentioned on the other thread I ended up direct driving mine. I fitted the driver to a 21-LED version of the same headlamp and it appears to more efficient than the original, plus I finally have a low mode!

 

[Crenshaw]

i removed the reflector, and mounted the Star on brass screwcap from my local plumbing store...then connected the whole thin together. It should be handling the heat fine now..

Crenshaw

 

[AvPD]

i removed the reflector, and mounted the Star on brass screwcap from my local plumbing store...then connected the whole thin together. It should be handling the heat fine now..

Crenshaw

So you are using a brass cap as the reflector? Have you tested its heat handling capabilities when running at 1A? What LED and driver did you use, if any?