help me build my first P60 drop in light

gofastman

Enlightened
Joined
Oct 6, 2014
Messages
376
Location
New Hope, MN
I want to build a flashlight for use at work (auto mechanic)
I was thinking probably a sportac triple 219 or if my budget allows, one of vinhnguyen's custom 219 quads.
it need two things above all, durability and heat dissipation for 100% duty cycle on high mode.

I would prefer 18650 or 26650 power source.

No longer than about 8" and no huge reflectors, it needs to fit in my work pants pocket. A touch smaller than a Streamlight Stinger would be ideal.

Has anyone made a host with copper plumbing pipe? I think the "steampunk" or rustic look would be awesome!
If that's not practical, what's a good host to go with that fills the above requirements?
 

skyfire

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 4, 2009
Messages
1,823
Location
Los Angeles
if you need the light to run on high for extended times, i wouldnt go with either of those drop-ins, even with a full copper host.

i wouldnt want anything that is pushed more than 1.5 amps. even drop-ins that run at 1.5 amps will get hot in about 20 minutes of continuous use.
vinh can make drop-ins that arent over driven. youll have to ask him about it or check up on his thread.

malkoff is a good option. EDC+ has some interesting dropins as well.

my P60 currently has a XP-E2 pushed at 1 amp. nice throwy beam, good runtimes, plenty bright, and it never gets hot, even if i leave it sitting there for hours.
 

DellSuperman

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 5, 2012
Messages
1,760
Location
Singapore
Agree with skyfire..
U probably need to find out how much light is useful for you.
For most cases, 200 to 300 lumens are more than sufficient, though it may vary..

A Sportac triple or Vinh's Quad at 100% will get very hot in no time & u won't get decent run time.
 

gofastman

Enlightened
Joined
Oct 6, 2014
Messages
376
Location
New Hope, MN
Agree with skyfire..
U probably need to find out how much light is useful for you.
For most cases, 200 to 300 lumens are more than sufficient, though it may vary..

A Sportac triple or Vinh's Quad at 100% will get very hot in no time & u won't get decent run time.

400 OTF lumens would be perfect.
I'm basing that on the fact that my 2014 TN12 on medium is just a TINY bit low for my needs and that is around 320 IIRC.
 

DrafterDan

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 28, 2013
Messages
1,317
Location
Phoenix, AZ
you might consider the Solarforce idea that was mentioned above. you can buy a ready-to-go body for $20

http://www.solarforceflashlight-sales.com/product_detail.php?t=FB&s=6&id=433
This one is non-metallic, which might be ideal for working around live electronics.

You then get a nice 18650 and charger, and a low-output (less than 500 lumens) dropin from Vinh54, Nailbender or others. Blammo! you've then got a great tool
 

skyfire

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 4, 2009
Messages
1,823
Location
Los Angeles
400 OTF lumens would be perfect.
I'm basing that on the fact that my 2014 TN12 on medium is just a TINY bit low for my needs and that is around 320 IIRC.

all the lights in my stable, i trust to to leave on for long periods of time unattended. none are extremely bright or overdriven. i compensate this with a more focused narrower beam pattern, which makes it seem brighter than it really is. fortunate for me, i like narrow throwy beams. this, along with lower drive currents equals better runtimes, and thermal management.
 
Top