XML-T6 Current

Hey I was just wondering how hard anyone's tried pushing an XML-T6?
Reason I ask is I had a spare laying around, pumped it with 5V at 4.2A mounted on a 1/2 oz. copper bullion and was easily able to light a cigarette, even light a small twig on fire :eg:
I'd give it more current but I have no regulated current source capable of anything higher.
If anyone has juiced one harder I'd love to hear about it :thanks:

Thats impressive, how long did it take to light the twig and did you use a lens or magnifying glass? Any videos?

Most people dont push them much above 3 A, because they get really hot and the output doesnt improve much (heat inversely proportional to power).

How long have you had it on for? Im wondering how long it'll last...:beer:

The XML can be direct driven from one 3.7V cell. Some flashlights have direct drive mode for the first 20 seconds. Of course a good heatsink is a must.

No lens or magnifying glass, but I did have to get it within a centimeter or 2 to ignite. I was burning a piece of black plastic and accidentally touched the emitter so now it is starting to warp and melt, but it's still got some life left I'll try and get a video up.

I'm not interested in efficiency in this particular case, just torture :eg: I originally had it in a flashlight at 1.2A

I've been running it in about 30 second bursts at a time because after that the 8 oz copper bar starts to get almost too hot to touch.

When I direct drive off a fully charged cell, the LED flashes bright, then goes dim. Too much current I think. When I direct drive off a cell at or under 4v it works fine but the lithium starts to warm after a bit. It's a crapfire though so I figure the LED draws more than it can give.

I'll get to a video when I can, don't forget it's Christmas :san:

LaserSmith;

The XML can be driven hard . . .

if you have sufficient heatsinking.

A few have been driven above your level intermittently.

You can put an aspheric lens on it to increase the light concentration.

You will need a "name brand" 18650 cell to drive that hard.

LarryDFW

^^ Did you think no one would notice that you merely copy/pasted Blord's post? :thinking: Not the first time either. I also believe that broken link is an attempt at spam.

On topic.
The led is now zombified. I'll continue my research and post that video when a new one comes in the mail

Sorry for your loss.

However, the XM-L's do have a peak current where above and beyond are simply diminishing returns.