Upgrading a McLuxIII-PD with a Cree?

[Geogecko]

It has been a while since I poked my head in here, but it seems like these new Cree's are all the talk.

I was wondering, if perhaps Don did retrofitting of older PD's, upgrading them to a Cree.

I imagine that this requires a new reflector, but I have no idea.

Just wondering, so go easy on me if I'm asking the impossible. I think the regulator could remain the same, but that could be another issue...

I was thinking that I could send the head back, to get a mod done...:candle:

 

[goldserve]

try upgrading to a seoul...so much easier. Doesn't need totally new parts, just modified reflector, etc.

 

[Oddjob]

Geogecko,

Don has released a few small waves of lights with the Seoul Semi-Conductor (SSC) and Cree emitters. The SSC has the same die as the Cree but has a lambertian radiation pattern similar to the luxeon LED's. As Goldserve said, modifying a PD is easier with the Seoul.
Because the Seouls (and Crees) are more efficient, they are brighter at the same Vf as luxeons. You can get basically the same runtime with more lumens or the same lumens with more runtime as luxeons. I think Don has considered an upgrade option for luxeon PD's but it won't be cheap due to the remachining of the head he has to do to accomadate a universal heatsink for the SSC.
With regard to the Cree emitter, I know 4sevens at one time offered a CREE mod for the PD but I am not sure if he still does. Don has some CREE builds but currently the next wave of lights will be Titanium PD-S's (PD's with SSC's) Don is also working on a new light called the Mule. It has a CREE emitter with the idea of being a pure flood light for area lighting (see the thread on the Mule here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=150974) Unfortunately Don has been hindered by factors beyond his control and he cannot keep up with the current demand for his lights. In the end though, in my opinion, they are worth waiting for. (Sorry to blab but I think I spend too much time in the McGizmo forum )

 

[Geogecko]

Thanks! Sounds like the SSC would be the way to go, if it's possible. Thanks for pointing out the Mule, you guys always have a way of making people want more lights, LOL. That looks interesting, and based on knowing the basic measurements of a PD, it looks like that light either has no reflector at all, or a very wide parabolic shape to it.

So to install the SSC, what has to be changed on the reflector? Does it have to be ground down a bit or something? Spaced out slightly?

 

[Oddjob]

I think Don mentioned that the reflector had to shaved down 0.03" or something like that to maintain its beam characteristic otherwise it would be more floody. Don is still trying to refine what he is going to be doing with regards to a reflector for the Mule. He has stated that he might not have a reflector or he might do something to redirect some of the light.

 

[easilyled]

The McR20 Seoul reflector will work with a PD modified with a Seoul led.

The Seoul led needs to be shimmed and the McR20 Seoul reflector
has the right amount removed to compensate for this.

This is obtainable from the Sandwich Shoppe:-

http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?products_id=956

 

[Geogecko]

How do you shim the LED? Is this something that goes under the LED, because if you need to remove reflector, I don't see the point in shimming between the reflector and LED.

 

[goldserve]

The MCR-20S should be around 0.03" shorter and since the reflector has ledges that sit perfectly in the light and it should just sit on the shoulders of the original lux. If it is shorter by 0.03", it will no longer sit on the shoulder of the cree led and therefore won't be in focus. Can only raise the led up 0.03 to match the reflector.

 

[Russki]

Goldserve sad it all.
To shim SSC use: http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?cPath=48_52_85&products_id=945
Link for reflector:
http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?products_id=956
Worked great for me.
Just be very careful when you do upgrade.
Cheers

 

[Geogecko]

Any tips for removing the old Luxeon? I'm pretty sure it's been thermal epoxied onto the aluminum head...

Then I guess using some AS epoxy would be the way to install the SSC.

Would this be a good choice?

http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?cPath=48_52_85&products_id=942