So... what to get for my 6PL (bored) body?

[Gatsby]

I just received my 6PL body back from an 18650 bore job anda a McClickie upgrade ... but now have to decide on a new drop in!

I currently have a Dereelight 2SM Q5 that is on my CL1H body that my wife uses to check on the dogs (simple UI - twist head for high, other way for low and a clickie). I have a Dereelight 3SD Q5 that is a nice drop in and quite a decent performer and is currently in the 6PL. I also have a 3SD Q2 5A drop in that is almost incandescent but is almost too warm for my tastes and not as bright. And the stock P60L which is better than I anticipated but not super bright.

I have a modded Novatac and a Milky Creemator so I already have two lights which have plenty of output for their size and provide a great foundation for both output and runtime (have a 17670 body for the Novatac and an E2L body for the Creemator) in the 200+ lumens category.

So I had thought the 6PL would be a good host for a higher output option - since it has more mass and the current drop ins I have more or less overlap with other lights. I would like more than one stage - 3 is perfect - and would like noticeable output improvement on high over my Creemator and Novatac (which is a screamer with the K2 mod).

I'm trying to get a better understanding of the multi die emitters, MCE, P7 and SST 50/90 offerings which seem like the logical choice to up the volume a bit. I've been looking at Nailbenders drop ins which seem like the best choice right now - but was wondering if there are any I'm missing (and not Malkoff since they aren't multi level)?

Are there appreciable differences in the beam shape of the MCE, P7 and SST50/90 emitters? Which driven at normal specs has the highest output? If different ,the best bang for the buck ratio?

Thanks!

 

[OfficerCamp]

Stick with Nailbender, fantastic quality for the $. Also, I would strongly recommend the SST-50 option; if he still has the high CRI neutral emitter, you will be amazed by the color rendition, as well as the output. The beam quality of the SST (completely free of artifacts and rings) will impress you also.
PM him for a quote and advice.
OC

 

[Fusion_m8]

Moddoo's drop-ins.

 

[joshconsulting]

SST-50 GJ bin 6.5k 3 mode 2.5A Regulated SMO reflector Nailbender P60 Dropin.

Flawless beam, 460+ OTF lummens, relatively cheap at $75, amazing build quality, runs great off of AW 2600s, free of the heat and beam problems that plague other builds.

No offense to Moddoo (his drop ins are wonderful as well; the XP-E simply isn't quite as nice as the SST-50), but at $115, the triple XP-E have much poorer beam then a single SST-50, and produce only ~500 OTF lummens with a 2.8A current draw.

 

[bigchelis]

Since you are about to decide on a high power P60 drop-in you would be wise to read the IS Thread: Especially #254 and on.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=256014


The moddoo Tripple is a piece of jewelry, it is that nice. Mine tested at 560 OTF at 12 watts of power....

The SST-50 P60 drop-in has the nicest beam of all the high power drop-ins. Mine tested with both a 5.6A and 2.7A and it makes awesome performance with a 2.5A driver. I would advice to not get a direct drive or 2.8A anything in a P60 style. While you will get more power, I am afraid you will not get more OTF lumens and you will be guaranteed less runtime and more heat if you do. Just my experience.

I vote: Nailbenders SST-50 w/2.5A driver:thumbsup:

bigC

 

[bigchelis]

Just to add another important piece of information..


My Moddo Tripple at 12 watts of power got warm/hot after 5 minutes.

The Nailbender SST-50 w/2.5A driver while only has 10 watts it is cool running.

It is hard to believe that with just a tiny bit more power the Moddoo heats up considerably more than the SST-50

 

[Winx]

Isn't Nailbender using Shiningbeam's 3-mode 8*AMC7135 driver? It is a 2.8A driver. 2.5A is an "average" value.

I measured 2.7-2.8A from my MC-E drop-in. Of course the current drops pretty quick to 2.5-2.6A but the light still gets hot. Copper tape or something is necessary in my opinion.

 

[DimeRazorback]

I would suggest a Malkoff M30W :thumbsup:

But if you want multilevel etc I would suggest a Moddoo Triple!

 

[joshconsulting]

The Malkoff M30 only puts around 230 lummens OTF - a great light, but certainly not outstandingly bright. As mentioned before, the Moddoo triple heats up awfully fast - output drops as heat rises, and it is soon beaten by the cooler running but slightly dimmer starting SST-50. And like I said, you can't beat the SST-50 beam pattern - for $40 cheaper, I'd go with the SST-50.

With any high-output dropin, you should put a piece of pop can or other such conducting material around the reflector if it doesn't fit snugly without it to insure good heat conduction to the body. See http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=3222550 for more details.

 

[Gatsby]

Fantastic advice - thanks for all your input!lovecpf

 

[ElectronGuru]

It is hard to believe that with just a tiny bit more power the Moddoo heats up considerably more than the SST-50

There are three variables at play here:

How much energy is being consumed

How much of that energy is being converted to light (ie efficiency)

How much of the left over heat is being conducted to the surface of the light


10 and 12 watts are pretty close, so unless the SST 50 is wildly efficient, its likely #3.

Its counter intuitive, but when heat doesn't flow to the body of the light, it feels like its running cooler, even while the heat builds up near the LED.