What can I do with an SF L4?

Boy oh boy, It is sooooo hard deciding which light to buy next (I'd get 'em all if I could afford it). I want to spend good money on something as versatile/adaptable as possible. I'm sure I read somewhere someone recommending buying an L4 coz it's so adaptable/versatile. So my questions are..................

What can be done with an L4? i.e. What heads can be used on an L4 body? What bodies can be used on an L4 head? Is it possible to have variable output from an L4 like on an L1? (I suspect that that's what 'two stage' tail cap means but I'm not certain on that). If so, what kind of variable outputs can be gotten and what run times could I expect?

I have searched the threads for the answers to these, but it's all kind of a bit too technical and jargony for me to be certain I've understood it correctly ("you may want to consider a 22 ohm or maybe a 60 ohm two stage") :thinking: :thinking: :thinking: So it would be GREAT if any answers could be given as tho' you were talking to an 8 year old (I'm 40 but hey, even a 40 year old has to start somewhere).

The same head that fits on the E2e will fit on your L4. That way you could have a quality incandescent too. Also the KL1 fits as well if you want a 3watt instead. Basically any of McGizmos Aleph heads will fit too but you will need to purchase a "sandwich" which is a circuit with an LED: http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/index.php?cPath=48_56_58 and: http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/index.php?cPath=22

There is an after market part that can either go inside your tailcap or replace it that will give a low output option on the L4. It is made by McGizmo. Here's a link: http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?products_id=474 and also: http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?cPath=48_56_58&products_id=398
Good luck!

AlanP said:

What bodies can be used on an L4 head?

Click to expand...

To run a KL4 (thats the head on an L4) on 1 CR123 battery or RCR123 rechargeable battery, you can use a Surefire e1E body or an Aleph 1xCR123 body:


Third from right: KL4 head on Surefire e1E body with Aleph 2-stage tail switch.

You can also use it on an Aleph CR2 body and use a rechargeable RCR2 battery:



As for the tail switch, I prefer the Surefire z57 clicky that came with your L4, but the Aleph 2-stage is well regarded and gives you hi/low output. With the Aleph, the higher the resistor number the lower the output on low.

best regards

leukos said:

The same head that fits on the E2e will fit on your L4. That way you could have a quality incandescent too. Also the KL1 fits as well if you want a 3watt instead. Basically any of McGizmos Aleph heads will fit too but you will need to purchase a "sandwich" which is a circuit with an LED: http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/index.php?cPath=48_56_58 and: http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/index.php?cPath=22

Click to expand...

Close, but not 100% accurate. Those "sandwich" modules are for mini-mag mods. The Aleph heads take a "light engine" (a screw-in component with driver and LED built into it) - you'll have to build one or have a CPFer build one for you. The parts are all found on that same site.

You can also get a compatible head from Vital Gear (look for the "Vital Gear Head for E-Series Flashlights" here). This will allow you to use Surefire P60 and P61 high output incandescent lamp assemblies plus a number of Luxeon 3 watt lamp assemblies from Bug Out Gear and G&P.

Jon

powernoodle said:

To run a KL4 (thats the head on an L4) on 1 CR123 battery or RCR123 rechargeable battery, you can use a Surefire e1E body or an Aleph 1xCR123 body:

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. What kind of battery life could I expect with this set up?

I don't really know. I only use the RCR123, and regularly install a fresh one before its predecessor conks out. I'm guessing 30 minutes, but I really have no basis for that. Maybe one of the brainiacs can advise.

Edited: This thread says 25 - 32 minutes. Dang, I'm good. :laughing: (BTW, the "TW4" referred to in that thread is just another name for a KL4 head using a single RCR123 or CR123 battery).

best regards

For some reason, I keep thinking that a RCR2 cell only has 350mah of capacity at 1 C (350ma rate). The KL4 head would be pulling something like 5 - 6 watts to keep it running, which is WAY over the 30 minute estimate for a cell like that. Could you tell me what I am missing - are you running it as a 2 x RCR2 in series ?

Thanks

I was talking about RCR123 runtimes, not RCR2 runtimes. The latter will be shorter, you are right.