FS: 1000 Lumen XM-L T6 Maglite Mod With Voltage Monitor - Parts, or Complete Light!

[leftkidney]

so the batteries will only last so long because of the current draw - is there a way to use the 6 cell maglite with some sorta of battery holder to keep the voltage the same just increase the run time

like say 2 batteries that are together end to end - take 3 sets of these to have 6 batteries, 3 sets of 2 each - then flip them so they are negative to negative and positive to positive but with a battery holder that keeps them all correct

maybe this crude picture will help - ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting



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[jayrob]

No you wouldn't want to do that...

The way to go for more capacity in a larger Maglite, it to use D sized NiMH's.

NiMH's are 10,000 mAh's capacity!

But the voltage is 1.2 nominal. So you need at least 5 X NiMH's to run this build with the 3 mode driver. (that is shown for the 2 X Li-Ion build)

A voltage monitor can also be used!

The same company makes a voltage monitor that is specifically for NiMH's. And will monitor 5 X NiMH's:
Western Robotics Ltd. online

It's the same size as the Lipo monitor, and the same price as well...

I've build one of these XM-L T6 mods with it...

Per the current measurements at the tail vs capacity, here are the estimated run times with the 3 mode driver / 5 X NiMH build:

High - 5 1/2 hours
Med - 16 1/2 hours
Low - 80 hours

 

[leftkidney]

are there any other types of lights that could be used for more output?

say like one of those HID Xenon light or something really bright like that, with these batteries I would guess it should be able to run any type of bulb given you can pack up to 6 in a row (if you get the 6 cell one, they probably also make a 3,4,and 5 cell or you can make a custom tail cap for that) to get like 20 some volts or whatever depending on the voltage of the batteries you use - that should run any type of light i cn think of since they have these in cars and they are only 12 volts

 

[jayrob]

Yes you are correct, other mods can easily be done with a Maglite...

I chose the XM-L T6 emitter, because it is the most efficient so far, and it's very bright.

You can get more output with other choices, but then you will be talking about a lot more current needed. And heat generated as well.

So yes it can be done, but for me personally, this set up is just perfect!

 

[leftkidney]

well maybe someone else in these forums will make "heads" for the maglight that use these batteries that are custom made heat sinks of a sort (you know how those Philips LED lights look that go in the ceiling) and just screwes on

but I will be getting one of these for sure, its just hard, I want another laser and I only have money for one thing - sure a flashlight is more practical but lets face it lasers are cool as hell! - maybe if you can make a white laser using the red, green, blue lasers and a maglight that would be cool also, you can have up to 7 colors and a I would think that 3 500mW or higher lasers will be much brighter then a flashlight even when unfocused and would be a true "spot light", pin point things miles away with light

how dangerous would this be?

 

[jayrob]

well maybe someone else in these forums will make "heads" for the maglight that use these batteries that are custom made heat sinks of a sort (you know how those Philips LED lights look that go in the ceiling) and just screwes on

but I will be getting one of these for sure, its just hard, I want another laser and I only have money for one thing - sure a flashlight is more practical but lets face it lasers are cool as hell! - maybe if you can make a white laser using the red, green, blue lasers and a maglight that would be cool also, you can have up to 7 colors and a I would think that 3 500mW or higher lasers will be much brighter then a flashlight even when unfocused and would be a true "spot light", pin point things miles away with light

how dangerous would this be?

Very hazardous...

Sounds like maybe you should do a little research on eye protection for lasers...

Serious stuff. Not for using like flashlight...

But no way would a laser be more lighting for using as a flashlight anyway!

 

[tysonc1979]

Just wanted to chime in and post what a great experience i had with jayrob. I ordered one of his XM-L T6 maglite mods with voltage monitor a few weeks ago. There were a few pm's sent and he always responded very promptly and politely to my many questions. I got the the 2d mod fit for 2 32600's batt's. It arrived at my doorstep within a week even though he said it might be 2. I didn't get to try it out right away because i was waiting on dx for the batteries so i had to stare at it for another week or so till they arrived. So the batteries finally came charged them up and threw them in and all i can say was wow. The light was so bright it was hard to look at when pointed at a white wall. I have a few flashlights in my collection that cost more than this and i tell you what this one is brighter than any led flashlight i have. The only light i can even compare it for to for output is my 25 watt HID. So now on to play time i waited for it to get dark and started to shine it on various thing in the yard and down the street this thing lights up the whole street and objects with ease so then i went to the backyard to light some stuff up and the neighbors house was one of them. A few minutes went by and my neighbor comes out and says whats going on are the police here or something he thought it was a cop's spotlight searching for something so i quickly apologized for lighting his house up like a Christmas tree. Then he proceeded to bombard me with question like where did you get that, no way its a maglite etc.. Needless to say this is my favorite flashlight i have in my collection and i am extremely happy with the craftsmanship and service jay provides. So if anyone has any doubts about this flashlight mod then put your mind at ease this is one great build by the legendary Jayrob:bowdown:

Thanks :beer:
-Andrew

 

[jayrob]

Thanks so much for the great comments!

Really glad you like the light!

I have several lights too, and this XM-L T6 Maglite build is my favorite as well... :beer:

 

[leftkidney]

It is water 'resistant'...

But not waterproof. There are great o-ring seals at the front and back, but the switch is going to be the entry point. You could probably put some silicone in there, but I doubt that it would be good for diving. Maybe just surface stuff...

For diving, I would recommend a light that is made specifically for diving. And then you could most likely modify it with an XM-L T6 emitter!

but will it float or sink if dropped in water?

I think sink its got to be heavy

 

[jayrob]

Yeah but even without the heatsink it will definitely sink...

It's a metal light. With batteries installed, there will not be much air in the light. It will sink like a rock...

 

[leftkidney]

maybe you could experiment around and see if some sorta really hard plastic could be used for the bottom cap or the spacer - or just something at the end so that if dropped in water it will float pointing down and boob up and down so you could get it

maybe a large piece of plastic that goes all the way around the whole body of the unit and makes it a thick thingie that has grip points on it for your fingers

 

[jayrob]

maybe you could experiment around and see if some sorta really hard plastic could be used for the bottom cap or the spacer - or just something at the end so that if dropped in water it will float pointing down and boob up and down so you could get it

maybe a large piece of plastic that goes all the way around the whole body of the unit and makes it a thick thingie that has grip points on it for your fingers

For using in the water, my opinion is to start with a light that is made for diving...

I could easily modify a diving light to have an XM-L T6 emitter.

But I still doubt that it would float. Not unless it was extra large with extra air space inside.

But it is doubtful that you will find a quality diving light with air space in it. Because air space causes pressure (or vacuum) problems under water...

 

[jayrob]

:bumpit:

I love good feedback!

Just had to share this one...

Jay:
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you on the XM- L T6 Maglite.
I absolutely love it!
I took it with me on my Jeep trip to Death Valley and it's capabilities impressed everyone.
The first time they saw it was when we were sitting around the campfire and I told them about it and how it had a 1,000 Lumens.
No one that I four wheel with knew exactly how bright that was until I turned it on high power and lit up a spot on one of the mountains to the west that was almost a mile away.
I then heard alot of oohs and aahs like you get on fourth of July at a fireworks display and a few "Holy Sh-ts" thrown in also.
I pointed it at a tent of one of our members that had just gone to bed and he thought that he was being abducted by a UFO, which was good for a laugh.
Later the next day we came to an old mine shaft and when the sun is bright you normally cannot see down into the shaft with any kind of Maglite. Your Light however was able to shoot a beam of light all the way to the bottom so we could look for gold or more likely see if an animal had fallen into the hole.
The XM- L T6 modified Maglite was a big hit during the rest of the trip, every time we found another mine or mine shaft to explore, I would hear "hey Woody bring your super bright Maglite".
I have posted your website info and build pictures on our forum for our members to contact you.
Thanks again for a great new piece of equipment.
Tim Woodson

Update:

Mag Charger option!

See here!
FS: Mag Charger XM-L T6 Modification - 1000 Lumens

 

[coldice]

Been using jayrob’s X-ML upgraded maglite for a few weeks now and I must say it’s a great torch. It throws well with a nice beam and has plenty of punch to boot also the voltage monitor is a handy add on as well. The heatsink works well and is machined well, the torch gets warm on high after 5min but it not bad at all. So far I haven’t had to change the batteries when using 32600’s so their worth getting.

 

[jcranmer]

So Jay, Can you put all these mods in one light? The voltage indicator mod and the charger mod or are they mutually exclusive?

I'd seriously love to get one of these some day, but for the moment it's going to have to wait. (I have way too many hobbies)

 

[jayrob]

In the Mag Charger, there is not room for the voltage monitor. But with the Mag Charger, you really don't need a voltage monitor because it has a NiMH pack. Plus it is usually sitting in it's charging cradle anyway...

But the voltage monitor fits into the normal Maglite mod shown in this thread using the large format Li-Ion's.

Also, I just found a U.S. source for 32650 protected cells!
Products - Novae: Your #1 source for HID and LED flashlights!

Been using jayrob’s X-ML upgraded maglite for a few weeks now and I must say it’s a great torch. It throws well with a nice beam and has plenty of punch to boot also the voltage monitor is a handy add on as well. The heatsink works well and is machined well, the torch gets warm on high after 5min but it not bad at all. So far I haven’t had to change the batteries when using 32600’s so their worth getting.

Thanks for posting back with your comments!

Glad you like the build...