XM-L Helmet Light Build « Singletrack Forum

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XM-L Helmet Light Build

11 posts & 5 voices | Started 1 year ago by 5thElefant | Latest reply from Davesport

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5thElefant - Member

As my entry for Mayhem has been confirmed it's time to build some new lights...

Twin light set using XM-Ls and modified Regina reflectors. Front lens are MagLite AA lens (which are a snug push fit). Housing is 1" tube opened up to 7/8" on the lathe with 7/8" bar as a heat sink and a slice of 7/8" tube glued in to secure the lens.

Basic components:

Assembled:

Helmet mount is a bit of bent aluminium which fits snugly to my helmet and has velcro on both sides. The helmet has a strip of velcro stuck to it:

Mounted:

I'm waiting for the driver to arrive, so no beamshots. It's a 2.8A driver so ~900lumens each with 75%, 25% and 2.5% modes. Battery life will be 4 hours on max from a li-ion pack.

Posted 1 year ago #
Davesport - Member

Aye, looks like a nice little project.

Any beamshots so we can slag them off

D.

Posted 1 year ago #
5thElefant - Member

Driver was waiting in the mail box, so tomorrow, maybe...

Posted 1 year ago #
Inbred456 - Member

Looks good! I would of maybe used a parting off tool to put some fins on the OD but otherwise a neat little job. Lets see some beam shots then!

Posted 1 year ago #
Nicknoxx - Member

Nice, are you planning to put the driver in with the battery?

Posted 1 year ago #
5thElefant - Member

I would of maybe used a parting off tool to put some fins on the OD but otherwise a neat little job.

I thought about it, but then I remembered I was too lazy.

Nice, are you planning to put the driver in with the battery?

Yes, the driver is about an inch across so too big to go with the lights.

I'm using an "Ultrafire Remote Pressure Pad Switch" to switch modes which will hang over the camelbak shoulder strap.

Posted 1 year ago #
5thElefant - Member

Woo-hoo! It's alive.

Driver packaged up.

Beamshots later...

Posted 1 year ago #
5thElefant - Member

For reference twin xp-g 1A 10 degree lens (from a different night, but same camera settings):

Tonight, no light:

3%

25%

70%

100% (2.8A)

Link to driver.

Posted 1 year ago #
5thElefant - Member

Test ride tonight.

25% is perfectly OK.

70% is bright.

100% is very bright.

I did one climb at 25%, swapped to 100% and felt my irises contract!

The final climb was a long steep drag on a tarmac lane. It's worn and dry so is almost white. I spent a couple of minutes grinding my way up staring just infront of the front wheel. I had a headache by the time I got to the top. Note to self: use 20% for this climb, not 100%.

Posted 1 year ago #
Holmesey - Member

I very like

Posted 1 year ago #
Davesport - Member

Good effort & Ta for posting the retina searing beam shots

Posted 1 year ago #