LED Zeppelin
Flashlight Enthusiast
Just finished a couple more multi-emitter Mag mods - a Quad XR-E Q4 WH in a chrome C Fivemega 2 X 18650, and a Quinta flavor in a D size nickel FM 700L (3 X 17670).
Both use the PXR heatsinks, Shark converters, and external dimming pots. The C lights' PXR is low stain copper, and the D's is alum. The D PXR was modded with a bolted and epoxied alum disk to accomodate the five emitters. The mating face of the PXR was sanded flat to eliminate the original emitter slots and maximize heat transfer. The button head bolt serves several purposes - clamping the disk and sink together when epoxing, additional thermal mass/path, and as a means of applying torque when installing or removing.
To ensure best possible heatsinking in the Quinta, I assembled the head/PXR/tube so that the PXR bottoms out on the tube. I did this by seating the modded PXR's new flange against the bottom of the head. The I generously epoxied the head and tube threads, and threaded them together until the tube butt up against the PXR. I removed the PXR, wiped away the extra epoxy, and reinstalled it with copious amouts of Arctic Alumina. What oozed out inside the head was wiped clean, then the prewired LEDs were epoxied in place. Perhaps small details, but the Quinta puts out some serious heat @ 930 mA, and any advantage in dealing with it is prudent. Especially since my modded PXR is not an ideal solution, a one-piece sink would be better. The paths seem to be working well. Left unattended on hi, the entire light bezel to tail will get very warm. For the 5 - 10 minute durations I've run it for so far it doesn't get alarmingly hot, but very very warm.
Both Sharks were mounted on separate heatsinks fabricated from 1/16" alum.
The Quad uses McR19XR reflectors with Mirageman centering rings, and the Quinta uses McR17XRs which have an integral ring. Lenses are UCLs with the Quinta using the thicker 3mm version.
Vf of the Quinta string was 16.9 V @ 350 mA, and 18.7 V @ 1000 mA. At a Vin of 11.1 V (3 X Li-ion), the current draw is 1.8 A. Max current to LEDs measured 930 mA, and 500 mA with the log pot at the center detent.
The dimming pots are mounted and epoxied into tapped holes.
I love the Shark/pot combo. You can virtually infintely vary the output from zero and make a very bight light a very dim one. The ultra low is just as useful as the ultra bright. And anyone can master the UI instantly and has fun operating it.
Currently the Quinta is handicapped since I have only (2) 17670s and am running a dummy. This is taxing the Shark, and I anticipate slightly better performance with the full trio of cells. More cells are on the way.
Even on two cells, when I fired up the Quinta and compared it to my M6 HOLA, my first thought was that there was something wrong with my M6. I recalled it being much brighter and thought perhaps the M6-R needed a recharge. It did. But even after a full charge, the Quinta more than holds it's own. It doesn't have the searing hotspot of the HOLA, but the spill is much brighter and it puts out more lumens overall according to my eyes.
Both use the PXR heatsinks, Shark converters, and external dimming pots. The C lights' PXR is low stain copper, and the D's is alum. The D PXR was modded with a bolted and epoxied alum disk to accomodate the five emitters. The mating face of the PXR was sanded flat to eliminate the original emitter slots and maximize heat transfer. The button head bolt serves several purposes - clamping the disk and sink together when epoxing, additional thermal mass/path, and as a means of applying torque when installing or removing.
To ensure best possible heatsinking in the Quinta, I assembled the head/PXR/tube so that the PXR bottoms out on the tube. I did this by seating the modded PXR's new flange against the bottom of the head. The I generously epoxied the head and tube threads, and threaded them together until the tube butt up against the PXR. I removed the PXR, wiped away the extra epoxy, and reinstalled it with copious amouts of Arctic Alumina. What oozed out inside the head was wiped clean, then the prewired LEDs were epoxied in place. Perhaps small details, but the Quinta puts out some serious heat @ 930 mA, and any advantage in dealing with it is prudent. Especially since my modded PXR is not an ideal solution, a one-piece sink would be better. The paths seem to be working well. Left unattended on hi, the entire light bezel to tail will get very warm. For the 5 - 10 minute durations I've run it for so far it doesn't get alarmingly hot, but very very warm.
Both Sharks were mounted on separate heatsinks fabricated from 1/16" alum.
The Quad uses McR19XR reflectors with Mirageman centering rings, and the Quinta uses McR17XRs which have an integral ring. Lenses are UCLs with the Quinta using the thicker 3mm version.
Vf of the Quinta string was 16.9 V @ 350 mA, and 18.7 V @ 1000 mA. At a Vin of 11.1 V (3 X Li-ion), the current draw is 1.8 A. Max current to LEDs measured 930 mA, and 500 mA with the log pot at the center detent.
The dimming pots are mounted and epoxied into tapped holes.
I love the Shark/pot combo. You can virtually infintely vary the output from zero and make a very bight light a very dim one. The ultra low is just as useful as the ultra bright. And anyone can master the UI instantly and has fun operating it.
Currently the Quinta is handicapped since I have only (2) 17670s and am running a dummy. This is taxing the Shark, and I anticipate slightly better performance with the full trio of cells. More cells are on the way.
Even on two cells, when I fired up the Quinta and compared it to my M6 HOLA, my first thought was that there was something wrong with my M6. I recalled it being much brighter and thought perhaps the M6-R needed a recharge. It did. But even after a full charge, the Quinta more than holds it's own. It doesn't have the searing hotspot of the HOLA, but the spill is much brighter and it puts out more lumens overall according to my eyes.
