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SureFire L4 (KL4) owners only

McGizmo

Flashaholic
Joined
May 1, 2002
Messages
17,290
Location
Maui
Hi guys,
If you have a SF L4 or KL4 and haven't gone to a two stage switch for it yet, what's wrong with you!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nana.gif

Just joking! Anyway, the L4 is a great flood or wall of light as many have witnesed and testified. It is a real useful packaging of a 5W LED. For me its only real drawback is that it can get pretty hot in long play and more often than not, it provides more light than I want in a task oriented flood beam. I just did a test with a L4 I have that measures 658 lux on high at one meter. With a 22 ohm two tail switch, the low level, for 9 hours of play, was about 1/10 of this which is ideal for what I like to see in a low VS high output relationship. I did a runtime on this because I just love doing runtimes! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif

SF-L4-22-0hm-LOW.jpg


Now the first four hours of the graph should be dropped until the curve joins. This is because there was an ambient light of about 10 lux until I shut down the shop for the night, four hours into the runtime test.

Below is a photo of L4's. On top is the standard McE2S two sttage switch and then the stock Z57 and at the bottom the McE2S-T or Trim tail cap is shown.

L4-options.jpg
 

GJW

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 25, 2002
Messages
2,030
Location
Bay Area, CA
With what other light would you compare the low level?
How about at other resistor levels?
Thanks
 

Fitz

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
May 14, 2004
Messages
1,080
Location
Missouri
I ordered an Aleph tailcap and a McE2S 22 ohm kit/rubber boot from the shoppe last week for my KL4/E1E. If it works as well as the 60 ohm kit in my PR-917/E2D I'll be a happy camper!
 

McGizmo

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Joined
May 1, 2002
Messages
17,290
Location
Maui
Fitz,
I think you might be dimmer than you want on a single 1x123 but then again, I could be wrong. I would have guessed at 10 or 15 ohm since the KL4 is already well under designed Vin on a 1x123. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

GJW,
I really don't have many other brands of light to compare so I'll let others chime in.
 

marcspar

Enlightened
Joined
Dec 19, 2003
Messages
914
Location
CT
Don,

Would the 22 ohm switch perform the same in the L5?

Thanks,

Marc
 

Darell

Flashaholic
Joined
Nov 14, 2001
Messages
18,644
Location
LOCO is more like it.
[ QUOTE ]
McGizmo said:
Now the first four hours of the graph should be dropped until the curve joins. This is because there was an ambient light of about 10 lux until I shut down the shop for the night, four hours into the runtime test.

[/ QUOTE ] Hmm. Looks like you flapped your hand over the head a few times on the way out the door too. Or were you finally dusting the shop? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon6.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

kj

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 23, 2003
Messages
793
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Don,

Your result is fairly consistent with mine. I felt relieved /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

McGizmo

Flashaholic
Joined
May 1, 2002
Messages
17,290
Location
Maui
kj,
We need to get going on your stickie!!

Darell,
Would you believe............................................. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nana.gif

Marc,
I have been happy with all of the 2x123 coupled with boost drivers and 22 ohm, including the KL5.
 

desmondpun

Newly Enlightened
Joined
May 4, 2003
Messages
197
Location
Australia
Excuse me Fitz, 22 ohm for KL4/E1E will be too dim. I though you were talking about L4. Dons is right, probably you only need 10 ohm may be even less.
 

nexro

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 5, 2003
Messages
585
Location
KL, Malaysia
Another CPFer recommended me to use 15ohm for KL4/E1e.
I will probably be getting an Aleph 1x123 pack and the McE2s 15ohm for my KL4 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

marcspar

Enlightened
Joined
Dec 19, 2003
Messages
914
Location
CT
Don,

Ordered one via email.....

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanks.gif

Marc
 

Fitz

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
May 14, 2004
Messages
1,080
Location
Missouri
OOPs! I actually did order the 15 ohm board. I kinda figured 22 would be too dim. Kinda like me when I wrote that!
 

avusblue

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 26, 2002
Messages
699
Location
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Here's a question you'll probably find dumb, because I haven't been paying close enough attention: Are these two-stage switches for sale somewhere / by someone? I am very interested in upgrading my 3 L4's, but have no desire or confidence in my ability to build one myself.

Cheers, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dave
 

Kiessling

Flashaholic
Joined
Nov 26, 2002
Messages
16,140
Location
Old World
I strongly suggest another sticky in the review-forum:

"Don's runtime plots"

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif
smoker.gif


bernhard
 

JonSidneyB

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 22, 2001
Messages
3,423
Location
Greenfield In
I want to see some Aleph's when I am in California. You better bring a bunch of them to show off.

And to you non KL4 owners....why don't you have one?
 

Bushman

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 8, 2002
Messages
1,851
Of all of the lights that I have had since joining CPF, the only one that I have gotten and KEPT (not traded off) is the Surefire L4 A totally amazing light. I did trade off my PR-T head, not because I wanted to but because I had to. I will be getting another one when the nexgen converters come out.
 

McGizmo

Flashaholic
Joined
May 1, 2002
Messages
17,290
Location
Maui
nexro,
I just tried the 15 ohm and 1x123 pack on a KL4 I have here and it works real nice. I think the low output is smart for the 1x123/KL4 as it will enhance the battery's life as well as give you a very useful low level for in close and "quiet" illumination. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

avusblue,
If you would review my sticky on pricing and ordering, you will be half way there. If you would follow with my humble request on how to order and send me an E-mail requesting McE2S tailcaps in HA-Nat (I presume) for use with L4's I will make these and ship them to you pronto. The price is $50 ea.

Bernie,

Yeah, you know................................... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nana.gif

Jody,

For encouraging Bernie, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twakfl.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif

Jon,

We need to get together before Cambria so that I can gift you with the Aleph of your choice! You probably want it to run on Pila's ! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif

Mike,
If I can be of service, you know how to reach me. Do you have a two stage on your L4??? Don't anyone count on *my* memory! Alice got me a name tag for personal use; need I say more? Oh one last one... Bernie, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon11.gif
 

luxlover

Banned
Joined
Feb 17, 2004
Messages
3,223
Location
Brooklyn, New York
Don,

Aah haa! You also see the merit in using the 15 ohm resistor board in a KL4 + E1e combo. I am glad that I chose it. It provides ample light in an almost pitch black room, and the runtime is tremendous. I tried the 22 ohm board, and the output was too low for me. My L4 light uses a switch with a 60 ohm board, with great results.
 
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