Surefire L5 => open it´s head + emitter swap

[Eric242]

Aloah people!

I just recognized a post about a modded L5 in the surefire lego thread. That particular L5 had it´s emitter swapped for a SSC P4. I really love my L5 but nowadays it´s output could have a little more oomph I guess.

I just unscrewed it´s head and was surprised to see 4 screws. I assume I just unscrew them and will have access to the emitter? Is it that easy? I always thought it would be really hard to open up the L5´s head. Or is it just the new style KL5?

Since I don´t even own a soldering iron I´ll probably ask someone else to change the emitter but if it is really that easy to open up and change the emitter I´ll get it done.

Another question: Is there supposed to be another thread on the body´s front, where the colour of the anodizing changes? I couldn´t part it although I didn´t try too hard.

Eric

 

[Size15's]

The part you've unscrewed should be glued together. You can see the glue on the threads. This component part of the KL5 should be really difficult to unscrew requiring tools and heat.

You're right - the actual KL5 bezel ends with the component still attached to the body.

There is no 'new' KL5 - just the KL5.

Al

 

[c0t0d0s0]

Doesn't the KL5 have a boost circuit? You might need to replace the driver board with a buck circuit, or you'll blow your new emitter...

 

[Ray_of_Light]

It is super easy.

Use an U bin Seoul LED, a GD1000 boost-buck converter, and bore the body of the L5 to 18.2 mm.
It is a excellent mod. The brightness is higher than the original SF L5, it runs cool, and stays two hours in regulation with a single Li-Ion 18650.
This is a picture of the light engine as I modified it:



Hope this helps

Anthony

 

[Bullzeyebill]

It is super easy.

Use an U bin Seoul LED, a GD1000 boost-buck converter, and bore the body of the L5 to 18.2 mm.
It is a excellent mod. The brightness is higher than the original SF L5, it runs cool, and stays two hours in regulation with a single Li-Ion 18650.
This is a picture of the light engine as I modified it:



Hope this helps

Anthony

I run my stock KL5 on a TB 18650 body and get 110 minutes of flat runtime, and heat is not a problem. I do not know what bin my KL5 uses but must have a farily low vf, possibly a WWOS. I guestimate my lumens at about 100-110, maybe 120. This with bounce with lightmeter comparing to other led lights I own. I would not want to change out my Lux V for a Seoul P4.

Bill

 

[Ray_of_Light]

Bill,

a KL5 in regulation on a single Li-Ion cell draws 1.85 Amps. A 2200 mA/h cell (18650) under these condition would last 75 minutes. After that, you have a decreasing tail of light.
The SSC P4 / GD1000 draws 1.05 Amp from a single Li-Ion, has a more focused beam, and 50% more flux than the original KL5. It will stay in regulation for more than two hours, an will shut off abruptly due to the Li-Ion cell protection.

Anthony

 

[Eric242]

Thanks for the comments guys and for posting the picture Anthony. I guess I got really lucky with my unglued L5 (bought it brand spanking new from opticsHQ). I´ll definitly try to get a it modded with a SSC.

Eric

 

[Ray_of_Light]

My L5 was tightly sealed with red loctite.

I used two leather strap wrenches (the type used to remove oil filter from cars) and a gas torch. It opened happily and without a scratch on the finish.

Definetively it a risky way to open sealed lights. Sometimes, some of them goes forever after such a threatment. I use a thermometer to know when to stop...

Anthony

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Bill,

a KL5 in regulation on a single Li-Ion cell draws 1.85 Amps. A 2200 mA/h cell (18650) under these condition would last 75 minutes. After that, you have a decreasing tail of light.
The SSC P4 / GD1000 draws 1.05 Amp from a single Li-Ion, has a more focused beam, and 50% more flux than the original KL5. It will stay in regulation for more than two hours, an will shut off abruptly due to the Li-Ion cell protection.

Anthony

Anthony, my KL5 pulls about 1.15 amps from an 18650. Apparent low vf. Last runtime I did using bounce with lightmeter showed 100-110 minutes in regulation. I am out of town right now and will remeasure current at tailcap when I get back in 10 days or so. I think that 18650 was an LG, though I have generic and Pila 18650's.

Bill

 

[Greg G]

Eric, that may have been my L5 you saw in the Lego thread. If it's the one with an extension then it's mine.

I went with an SOB1000 driver so that I could run a variety of voltages with my SSC P4 LED.

1 X 18650
2 X 18650
2 X CR123
4 X CR123

Greg