New to this, very interested, need some guidance....[HELP!]

[M52 POWER!]

:wave: Hey guys I've been collecting flashlights for a couple years now. Nothing speical, most are DX lights!

I'm very interested in making my own custom lights. I am mostly interested in automotive application (such as reverse lights), and modding incandescent lights to LED. One light is a large craftsman inspection light. I thought it would be cool to run 3 xp-g's, have built-in lipos and a built in charger so I just have to plug it in to charge etc. I have good electrical soldering experience, a good understanding of lipo technology (I build/fly model helicopters) and good fabrication skills.

• Are there any good newbie guides explaining terminology etc? I'm really lost.. I just figured out you guys AREN'T miss-spelling efficiency with efficacy
  
• What are good parts sources for LED's? How about driver boards? Heatsinks?
  
• How are the quality of DX components? Are they reliable?

Sorry for all of the questions, I can't wait to start building! Also coming from other message boards I find the search system on this one very frustrating. Is there a normal vbulletin search hidden somewhere? I feel I could have found the answers to my questions if there was an advanced search.

-Chris

 

[Fallingwater]

Are there any good newbie guides explaining terminology etc? I'm really lost.. I just figured out you guys AREN'T miss-spelling efficiency with efficacy

Here you go

What are good parts sources for LED's? How about driver boards? Heatsinks?

Kaidomain and DealExtreme are che cheapest. There are other sources, but they are almost all US-based, so if you're not there you'll face significant shipping expenses.
Oh, and eBay - though I've found DX/KD prices to be better.

How are the quality of DX components? Are they reliable?

Mostly yes.

Sorry for all of the questions, I can't wait to start building!

DX has a few body-only kits, but they're fairly expensive - it's usually better to get cheap lights and swap parts.

Is there a normal vbulletin search hidden somewhere? I feel I could have found the answers to my questions if there was an advanced search.

There is. It's hidden extremely well in the big red SEARCH button on the upper right.

 

[carrot]

Try: http://www.gearcarrot.com/guides/lights

 

[M52 POWER!]

thank you so much!:twothumbs

 

[rollazuki]

Excellent, that answers loads of my Qs!!!