Gman
Enlightened
This is FYI only, I was just foolin around and if you try this it's at your own risk.
The post below by yclo got me to thinking,
so I have now intalled the P61 into my E2. This can be done in several ways.
1) Modify the P61, using the lamp only:
Carefully remove the P61 from it's reflector.
I heated a very sharp knife and used this to break the adhesive free. Cut back the outer spring and open so it contacts the top of the barrel. (Better to cut all the spring off and use a washer.) Trim a little off the inner spring.
Problem: The lamp is too long. The glass "tit" used in sealing the lamp may contact the E2's lens and if you screw it down you'll break it. You must space the lamp away from the E2's inner bezel flange slightly to avoid this. This did not seem to alter the beam pattern at all but I know it has to.
2) Modify the E2 bezel and the entire P61:
You need a lathe for this. Bore out the E2's reflector (ouch) and turn down the P61 to fit. This keeps the same beam as a stock P61 but dedicates the bezel for P61 use only.
I have not down this, but measurements show it shuld not be a problem.
3) Machine a new bezel:
This I have done. Since this is a new part, the lens can be pryrex or thicker polycarbonate and the bezel sized to one's desire. The bezel can be larger to accept the P61 "as is" or the same size as the E2 with the P61 being reduced as above. Mine looks like the E2's except for the "tear drops". (Looks much like an Arc LS's bezel)
I realize that machine tools are needed for all but method one and that method leaves the E2's head as is, so it may be best for others who may choose to try it. I will try method two when I can buy a spare bezel to open up. I may sacrifice my E1's head as it's the same as an E2's, or simply stick to my new scratch made bezel for P61 use.)
(If you guys spend so much on torches, you oughta by a small hobby lathe for $350 and then you can go nuts on building many other things besides torches. But I warn you, it can turn into another serious addiction.)
The other issue is whether the lens (does anyone really know if it's arcylic or polycarbonate? There is a big difference between these materials. "Lexan" is just a GE trademark for ploycarb, btw) will handle the P61's output, especialy when so close to it as in method one.
I doubt it'll be a problem with method two as my modified Garrities running the P61 and P91 have a plastic lens and it's no problem at all. They are a smaller OD than the E2 but have the slightly larger Garrity AA head. Frankly, they are so close to the E2's size the above project seems more an exercise in boredom than a good E2 mod but the E2 *is* pretty nice running the P61.
Is it all worth it? I dunno. The beam is good (and clearly brighter), but I only have one E2 so I couldn't compare it with the E2's
stock lamp. I thought of installing the E2 lamp into my E1's bezel and using my power supply to run it for comparison, but was too lazy to set that up.
The difference seems to be on a par with the P60 vrs the P61 in a 6P. It's clearly brigher, but I'm not sure that has any real value compared to a stock E2 for everyday carry.
The post below by yclo got me to thinking,
so I have now intalled the P61 into my E2. This can be done in several ways.
1) Modify the P61, using the lamp only:
Carefully remove the P61 from it's reflector.
I heated a very sharp knife and used this to break the adhesive free. Cut back the outer spring and open so it contacts the top of the barrel. (Better to cut all the spring off and use a washer.) Trim a little off the inner spring.
Problem: The lamp is too long. The glass "tit" used in sealing the lamp may contact the E2's lens and if you screw it down you'll break it. You must space the lamp away from the E2's inner bezel flange slightly to avoid this. This did not seem to alter the beam pattern at all but I know it has to.
2) Modify the E2 bezel and the entire P61:
You need a lathe for this. Bore out the E2's reflector (ouch) and turn down the P61 to fit. This keeps the same beam as a stock P61 but dedicates the bezel for P61 use only.
I have not down this, but measurements show it shuld not be a problem.
3) Machine a new bezel:
This I have done. Since this is a new part, the lens can be pryrex or thicker polycarbonate and the bezel sized to one's desire. The bezel can be larger to accept the P61 "as is" or the same size as the E2 with the P61 being reduced as above. Mine looks like the E2's except for the "tear drops". (Looks much like an Arc LS's bezel)
I realize that machine tools are needed for all but method one and that method leaves the E2's head as is, so it may be best for others who may choose to try it. I will try method two when I can buy a spare bezel to open up. I may sacrifice my E1's head as it's the same as an E2's, or simply stick to my new scratch made bezel for P61 use.)
(If you guys spend so much on torches, you oughta by a small hobby lathe for $350 and then you can go nuts on building many other things besides torches. But I warn you, it can turn into another serious addiction.)
The other issue is whether the lens (does anyone really know if it's arcylic or polycarbonate? There is a big difference between these materials. "Lexan" is just a GE trademark for ploycarb, btw) will handle the P61's output, especialy when so close to it as in method one.
I doubt it'll be a problem with method two as my modified Garrities running the P61 and P91 have a plastic lens and it's no problem at all. They are a smaller OD than the E2 but have the slightly larger Garrity AA head. Frankly, they are so close to the E2's size the above project seems more an exercise in boredom than a good E2 mod but the E2 *is* pretty nice running the P61.
Is it all worth it? I dunno. The beam is good (and clearly brighter), but I only have one E2 so I couldn't compare it with the E2's
stock lamp. I thought of installing the E2 lamp into my E1's bezel and using my power supply to run it for comparison, but was too lazy to set that up.
The difference seems to be on a par with the P60 vrs the P61 in a 6P. It's clearly brigher, but I'm not sure that has any real value compared to a stock E2 for everyday carry.
