(FINISHED!) Modded KL3 (with a Cree P4 + McR27L)

Hello everyone,

My first try at modding a light. I took a rather beat up KL3 + C2 + twisty and I am going to stick a Mc27L + LuxIII into the KL3.

I got bored waiting for my reflector/driver/led, so I started playing with my dremel on the outside of the head...because it was beat up and needed to be made prettier.

Sorry that they are too big...I am tired and don't feel like resizing again...

**********
Finished the MOD!
Final product is a Cree P4 driven by a Downboy 1000 (yes...1 amp ) in a slightly modified McR-27L that fits in my bored out KL3. Head does not even get excessively warm after extended use...and this thing is BRIGHT!
I used a new O-ring from a O-ring set i bought on ebay (hehe 407 O-rings of diff sizes. ), so I have something like 20 extras.
One negative - I had to dremel down the lens...so it kindve got a little chipped and the head is not currently watertight...which is why the beam is a little out of shape. I am ordering a new lens form surefire...but they just want me to RMA the light...I tried to explain that I don't want it returned to spec, but they are having trouble understanding.

NEW PICTURES!


The Below pictures are beamshot at ~2 feet (thats why there is slight dougnut). First is fully exposed, second is 2 stops under, 3rd is 4 stops (yes...four) underexposed. This thing flood like crazy and throws really nicely!



OLD PICS: (body still looks basicially the same).

Re: Modded KL3 (in process)

Looks nice and 'raw'!! The silver/black looks good. Why not try putting a Cree XR-E in there?

Not sure if there's currently any nice optics/reflectors that will fit nicely into a KL3 head with the Cree, but if it does, you'll have a monster. Run it with some circuitry at 300 ma and you'll have similar runtime to the stock KL3 (gen 2), which is about 3hrs, but prob 3 times the output!

Re: Modded KL3 (in process)

Basically, I decided against cree for a few reasons:

-Cree Q2,3,4 will be available in a few months
-Lux may come out with something better soonish
-No good reflectors avail
-Shoppe has the luxIII available right now...and relatively cheap, so I can complete this quickly
-Cree is much more flood than spot...and luxIII is more spotty

I will probably (if I end up keeping this) remod it with a newer Lux or Cree...

Re: Modded KL3 (in process)

Well, it's true!! Just use this for a while with your planned setup and wait and see what better LEDs come out soon, then upgrade!

Re: Modded KL3 (in process)

i think the shop has mcr27 cree reflectors now.

-David

Re: Modded KL3 (in process)

OK - fine...I guess I need a cree.

Ordered a P4 on the order thread...
Bought another driver through the shoppe...

So what I will do...is make 2 drop-in setups for my KL3...one with the LuxIII and one with the Cree and then have a shootout with the 27L reflector...since I already cut the head to make the 27L fit into it.

Might have to bore out the back of the 27L to make the cree fit...could be interesting!

I'll post shots and whatnot once I get the parts and work it all together!



Thanks for the input,
Kyle

Re: Modded KL3 (in process)

Hey, I recognize that light! Looks a bit different now, I must say. Good luck on the Cree implant.

schiesz

Re: Modded KL3 (in process)

Should be....interesting. I think some parts are actually here today (my LuxIII and driver...maybe even my 27L...) but I have to wait a bit longer on the cree.

I will post again once I get some more pretty pictures to post about!

Thanks,
Kyle

Re: Modded KL3 (in process) (with a Cree P4 + McR27L)

FINISHED!

Cree is the shiz...this thing floods like crazy and throws REALLY far as well!

Thanks so all who helped me...cree was the right choice.

wow that looks great

great job man!:goodjob: