SF L1 Cree modified (pics)

[Energie]

I am a fan of small Surefire lights
and I like AW´s Batteries.

The new L1 Cree doesn´t work with RCR123.
So I changed the stock driver to a GD500
from the Sandwich Shoppe and the greenish
Cree to a pure white Seoul USWOH from Photon Fanatic.

Now the L1 can take CR123 / RCR123 (with adapter)
and 17500.
Runtimes with CR123 are the same as before.

Left: stock head
Right: modified head

Stock L1 Cree driver

L1 Cree

L1 Seoul

 

[DaFABRICATA]

COOL!!

Are you using the SF optic or a reflector?

 

[Energie]

It is the SF optic, but I´ve removed the
diffusor under the lens.

 

[BigHonu]

Nice!

How hard was it to get the bezel off? Did you need to boil it?

BTW, I didn't know there was a diffuser under the lens. When I look at mine, it is pretty clear.

 

[Energie]

I´ve used a heat gun. The bezel came off quite easy.
The diffusor under the lens is a thin film.

 

[cat]

Please tell us more. How you modified the head - looks like some cutting.

 

[Energie]

How to:

1. Open the bezel
2. Desolder the Led
3. Remove the contact pieces under the bezel
4. Use a mill to make some space in the head (see pics)
5. Use a lathe to make the driver pill (see pics)
6. Solder the driver to the pill
7. Solder the wires to the Led
- head ready
8. Remove the stock driver from the body
9. Use a lathe to remove some metal parts under the stock driver
10. Make an adapter for the 123 cells
- body ready

Light on! :naughty:

 

[toby_pra]

Hello!

Hey you also from Berlin...

Nice work you have done there. In the Beamshots it looks
like the Seoul-Mod is not as bright as the stock-cree version...

Is that right?but you'll have more sidespill...

 

[IsaacHayes]

Yeah the optic works best with the cree. You should put a reflector in there to make the beam nice!

 

[Energie]

toby_pra,
right. The cree version is brighter with a tight spot.

IsaacHayes,
right too. The reflector/seoul version is better than the
optic/seoul version.

L1 /optic /cree

L1 /optic/seoul

L1 /McR20S/seoul

 

[nanotech17]

Hi energie,
nice mod.
did you remove the positive contact in the L1 Cree body

 

[Energie]

Hi nanotech,

yes, I´ve removed the driver to make some space
for AA / 17500 batteries.
The new GD500 driver is in the head (see pics post #1).

Empty L1 body

L1 driver / CR123

Size comparison (CR123 with adapter)

 

[270winchester]

huh.

does that mean if you install say a Madmax from the Sandwich Shop and match it to a hand-picked LED for low Vf, you ^could^ run it on a AA?

dude...

 

[Energie]

270winchester,
I´ve tried three madmax without success.
Then I´ve used a GD500 driver. Works nice (1,8 - 5 V), but not with eneloops (see post #1).
Still looking for a 0,8-5V driver (without SOS and strobe).
Any tip?

 

[jumpstat]

Cool mod !

 

[270winchester]

270winchester,
I´ve tried three madmax without success.
Then I´ve used a GD500 driver. Works nice (1,8 - 5 V), but not with eneloops (see post #1).
Still looking for a 0,8-5V driver (without SOS and strobe).
Any tip?

what if you take whatever driver the Fenix L1T uses and put it in there? it would work well with 1.5v batteries.

I remember that a few years back people were making 1-AA sized Lux-I lights that ran fairly well on an alkaline so I know it can be done. If you find a AA-specific driver, you can drive it at .5amp an still get fairly decent brightness.

very nice job BTW :thumbsup:

 

[Energie]

270winchester,
good tip, thanks.
I have some spare L1/2T heads from the fenix shop.
The fenix driver is 17,2 mm * 4,9 mm (GD500 13,8 * 3,7 mm)
and may fit in the SF L1 head.
If I can´t find another driver, I´ll give it a try.

 

[270winchester]

You have spare L1t heads? You Sir are a certified flashaholic.

 

[Energie]

You have spare L1t heads? You Sir are a certified flashaholic.

Thanks! The CPF virus...

 

[CM]

Nice mod. Posts like these are what draws me to CPF.