Need advice: buying my first Cree XML-based flashlight

[lightpsycho]

Hey there,

I'm certainly not a newbie when it comes to light in general, but to be honest I don't know much about high-powered led flashlights and I might need a bit of help. But rest assured, I've done quite a bit of reading here before posting! For one I've read about the dangers of lithium cells and bad chargers...!

I'm not looking for a top high-end light; this will basically be an EDC. I've narrowed my choice down to a Solarforce L2 (2011) with L2-S8 tailcap. Cell would be a Panasonic NCR18650A (3100mA, protected) and charger would be an XTAR WP2 II.

M only worries would be the cell's sheer lenght at 69.7mm...would it fit?!

Any input would greatly be appreciated!

 

[mellowhead]

You had better check the I.D. of your tube. I've read some reports of earlier L2 bodies only accepting 17mm or less. I don't think I've heard of issues with lengthy protected cells in them though.

Also, don't forget to foil wrap/pack your dropin for heat dissipation. I have an L2P with an XP-G dropin and wow did it make a difference to heat transfer when it was wrapped vs. unwrapped.

 

[lightpsycho]

You had better check the I.D. of your tube. I've read some reports of earlier L2 bodies only accepting 17mm or less. I don't think I've heard of issues with lengthy protected cells in them though.

Also, don't forget to foil wrap/pack your dropin for heat dissipation. I have an L2P with an XP-G dropin and wow did it make a difference to heat transfer when it was wrapped vs. unwrapped.

Well, I had emailed the measurements to solarforce themselves and they finally replied stating that it would fit! I purchased the light on ebay and it will come with the drop-in pre-installed (XML T6). This is a n00b question, but what do you mean by wrapping/packing the drop-in with foil?

 

[mellowhead]

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?329978-vinhnguyen54-How-To-Wrap-A-P60-Drop-In

 

[mellowhead]

Sorry, didn't have time to expound upon that earlier. The drop ins don't usually make very good contact with the body for heat transfer away from the led/drop in. Doing the foil wrap improves it tremendously, and keeping an led cool will improve its efficiency and life expectancy. The video in the thread above is by Vinh. He's a very prolific flashlight modifier and drop in builder here on CPF. Probably one of the most knowlegeable people around on heat sinking led's.