Techjunkie
Enlightened
MC-E Keychain lights (EDCs) - (4) pics, video
Unfortunately, the tailstanding polished Aluminum beauty you see the photo would not accommodate a driver larger than 16mm and the unregulated 5-mode (PWM + memory only) driver that I'm using is 17mm in diameter. I had purchased that torch specifically for this project,but it wasn't a total loss, even as stock, it's awesome in every way. I might, at some point in the future, try reducing the diameter of one of those drivers to fit, and if successful, do the upgrade to it then. For now, I hate to chance destroying its perfection. Anyway...
The beat up old Trustfire TR-803 made an awesome MC-E host, once I got the CREE Q5 out of it. The whole thing is heavy, pill included, and so lends itself to heatsinking more so than any other 1*CR123A torch i own. I've perfected my own method of installing the MC-E emitters in such a way that XR-E reflectors are optimally focused and that there is no risk of crushing the delicate little *******s when tightening things up (see pill pics).
The PWM only driver (with mode memory) was key to providing the option of running unregulated full blast or more consevative modes that will last more than 15 minutes, without the annoyance of having to cycle through modes every tmie I turn it on. (If I couldn't find one in 17mm, I would have considered a two-mode switch and a resistor, but I'd still have the cycling problem and probably couldn't have fit a resistor of the right spec.)
The crucial element of course, is the IMR 16340 battery. The MC-E pulls over 2A on high - not something I'd want to try with a Li-Ion RCR123. I suppose LiFePO4 could handle the load, but would have had lower output and shorter runtime than the LiMn IMR battery.
Tailcap measurements on a battery that measured 4.19V at rest (so almost full charge, but not quite:
High: 2.2A
Med & Strobe: 1A
Low: 200mA
This one's a pisser. I don't think anyone will be less than amazed at the output comming off my little keychain light.
I'd love to strip it down and have it polished or Nickel plated or something to dress it up. Maybe on the next custom plating group buy...
*update: I de-ano'd a new T-803 host and moved the pill to the new host. I also improved the electrical path by placing a spring under the pill and by filing down the tailcap to make sure the bottom of the battery tube made direct contact with the switch retention ring. Now it's perfect in form and function.
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Here's a few pics of my 2nd keychain MC-E creation, which uses an UltraFire EMR1 Rebel as the host. I've dubbed it "The Ugly Duckling":
The pill and reflector have substance for a single CR123A light
Pill and reflector (bored hole, filed bottom to achieve focus)
Coated the threads of the lens retaining ring in this flexible loctite adhesive to waterproof it in the absence of a bezel gasket
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...And here's #3. I love this one. Single mode DD, pulls 3.3A off fresh battery (gets hot but doesn't turn blue), but doesn't get hot under normal use after battery has been conditioned with a few short uses. Double gaskets at head and tail. Thick gasket at lens. Tailstands. Awesome.
Look like that one above that I said I couldn't use? Well, it is. (Who needs a driver anyway?)
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At it again. Had to have one in neutral white. This little beauty is the smallest yet, but also the heaviest. It's the chrome-plated-brass Ultrafire WF-C6S (incorrectly advertised as stainless steel). The boost driver that ran the Q5 it came with well even on a primary 3V battery is smaller diameter than the KD driver, so I had to go direct drive again, but I don't mind. It's plenty bright in neutral white and man, this sucker gets hot after a little while. Good heatsinking, good mass, and a good thing the little IMR 16340 wont run it at full blast very long...
The first two are now for sale here.
Unfortunately, the tailstanding polished Aluminum beauty you see the photo would not accommodate a driver larger than 16mm and the unregulated 5-mode (PWM + memory only) driver that I'm using is 17mm in diameter. I had purchased that torch specifically for this project,but it wasn't a total loss, even as stock, it's awesome in every way. I might, at some point in the future, try reducing the diameter of one of those drivers to fit, and if successful, do the upgrade to it then. For now, I hate to chance destroying its perfection. Anyway...
The beat up old Trustfire TR-803 made an awesome MC-E host, once I got the CREE Q5 out of it. The whole thing is heavy, pill included, and so lends itself to heatsinking more so than any other 1*CR123A torch i own. I've perfected my own method of installing the MC-E emitters in such a way that XR-E reflectors are optimally focused and that there is no risk of crushing the delicate little *******s when tightening things up (see pill pics).
The PWM only driver (with mode memory) was key to providing the option of running unregulated full blast or more consevative modes that will last more than 15 minutes, without the annoyance of having to cycle through modes every tmie I turn it on. (If I couldn't find one in 17mm, I would have considered a two-mode switch and a resistor, but I'd still have the cycling problem and probably couldn't have fit a resistor of the right spec.)
The crucial element of course, is the IMR 16340 battery. The MC-E pulls over 2A on high - not something I'd want to try with a Li-Ion RCR123. I suppose LiFePO4 could handle the load, but would have had lower output and shorter runtime than the LiMn IMR battery.
Tailcap measurements on a battery that measured 4.19V at rest (so almost full charge, but not quite:
High: 2.2A
Med & Strobe: 1A
Low: 200mA
This one's a pisser. I don't think anyone will be less than amazed at the output comming off my little keychain light.
I'd love to strip it down and have it polished or Nickel plated or something to dress it up. Maybe on the next custom plating group buy...
*update: I de-ano'd a new T-803 host and moved the pill to the new host. I also improved the electrical path by placing a spring under the pill and by filing down the tailcap to make sure the bottom of the battery tube made direct contact with the switch retention ring. Now it's perfect in form and function.
------------------------------------------
Here's a few pics of my 2nd keychain MC-E creation, which uses an UltraFire EMR1 Rebel as the host. I've dubbed it "The Ugly Duckling":
The pill and reflector have substance for a single CR123A light
Pill and reflector (bored hole, filed bottom to achieve focus)
Coated the threads of the lens retaining ring in this flexible loctite adhesive to waterproof it in the absence of a bezel gasket
------------------------------------------
...And here's #3. I love this one. Single mode DD, pulls 3.3A off fresh battery (gets hot but doesn't turn blue), but doesn't get hot under normal use after battery has been conditioned with a few short uses. Double gaskets at head and tail. Thick gasket at lens. Tailstands. Awesome.
Look like that one above that I said I couldn't use? Well, it is. (Who needs a driver anyway?)
--------------------------------------------------------
At it again. Had to have one in neutral white. This little beauty is the smallest yet, but also the heaviest. It's the chrome-plated-brass Ultrafire WF-C6S (incorrectly advertised as stainless steel). The boost driver that ran the Q5 it came with well even on a primary 3V battery is smaller diameter than the KD driver, so I had to go direct drive again, but I don't mind. It's plenty bright in neutral white and man, this sucker gets hot after a little while. Good heatsinking, good mass, and a good thing the little IMR 16340 wont run it at full blast very long...
The first two are now for sale here.
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