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Very Easy XM-L Build

64K views 293 replies 56 participants last post by  plugp7 
#1 · (Edited)
Just sharing what I've picked up from reading in this forum. Thanks to everyone for sharing their ideas!!

Object of this build is:
1) Make it as easy as possible so that anyone can do it.
2) Use very little power tools, so no cutting / gluing of metal.
3) To run the XM-L at high power from two to four hrs.
4) Use as little of this $$$ as possible!

The Parts
Led Supply dot com
XM-L Cool White - $10.05
Optics Carclo 20mm - Plain Tight Lens for helmet / Medium Ripple Lens on bar - $1.25ea
Optic holder - $0.23

Deal Extreme (DX)(Free Shipping)
LED Driver sku#57779 - $5
TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue) sku #5790 - $7.99 (if you want to save you can use rechargable AA 8 min. good for ~2hrs but not as bright as using four 18650s).
14.8V 4 x 18650 Battery Holder Case Box with Leads sku#103855 - $2.80
Universal Adjustable Bicycle Mount for Flashlights (2cm~4cm Diameter) sku#31871 - $2.39
Clicky Switch for Flashlights (17.8mm 5-Pack) sku#5602 - $1.90
JST Cables (10-Pair) SKU#15234 - $2.78

Westburne Electrical Supply (Pricing in CDN$)
1 - 3/4 ALUMINUM CONDUIT COUPLING - $5.52
2 - CUP-2 KILLARK 3/4" CLOSE-UP PLUG - $1.95
1 - R32 KILLARK CONDULET - $2.30

Total comes to $52.17
If you have your own batteries - $33.37
Less if you have your own wires and switches.

The Build
Here is a pictures of most of the parts


1 - Mark out the holes you need to drill through the heat sink (cup 2 close plug) and drill.


2 - Using a soldering iron, solder the wires to the Led and paste it to the heat sink. ( I used Fujik compond that I got from DX working on other projects).Make sure to press down so that the Led is in good contact with the heat sink. You can use the optic holder and screw the R32 down on top of them. Note: I shaved off the tabs on the optic holder that hold down the optics, the R32 will hold it down for you.



3 - Now solder the Led wires to the Led Driver. Remember to use some heat shrink to cover the expose wires.


4 - The opening of the body (3/4 ALUMINUM CONDUIT COUPLING) is big enough for the driver to fit through.


5 - Take the second Cup 2 Close Plug and drill a hole through the middle. Make sure the hole is the same size or a bit larger as the wires you're using for the battery. After this no other power tool is needed. As you can see I have two sets of wires, one for the battery, the other for the remote switch.


6 - Push the wires through the second Cup 2 Close Plug and solder it to the Led Driver. Positive goes in the middle, negative around the edge. I used some heat shrink and a zip tie a cable strain. As you can see I've already screwed on the light head to the body


7 - Before closing it up, test to see if it's working!


8 - Once it's working, close it up by holding the power / switch wire steady and rotate the Cup 2 Close Plug into the body. Make sure the wires are not rotating also!! You should be able to have the Close Plug flush with the end of the body. When it's done you'll be holding this in your hands.
**There could be a small chance that the soldered points may make contact with inside the light body creating a short. You can wrap it with electrical tape or thermal paste the yellow metal thingy to the inside to secure it. Thanks to "slcpunk".for pointing this out.


9 - Sit back and have a cold one!!

10 - Wait for the darkness to arrive!! Then go out and ride!!

I have used clear RTV Silicone to seal the seams from water especially the back where the power wires are, fill it up with silicone. I'll be using a 30mm lens to cover the front and seal it the same way. All my wire conx are sealed the same way.

Water proofing accessories for the batteries.


The light on my bar and remote switch.



Beam shots


Outside
Camera set to manual
ISO 200
Shutter 4s
WB - Daylight
Jpeg
No post processing
Fence is about 50 feet away.

No Lights "Duh"


Wide on bar "High"


Wide on bar "Low"


Spot on helmet "High"


Spot on helmet "Low"


Both "High"


Both "Low"


Some other info
Weight - .095lbs according to the scale in the cafe at the place of work.
Been riding for close to two hrs at night and running at high and body only slightly warm to the touch. Lights up the trail pretty darn good!
Don't know what lumens it's producing, I'm guessing around 900? I know XM-L's produces over 1000, I'm happy with 900 hopefully.
Ordering from DX was easy and took about 1 1/2 wks to arrive from the time of odering. Led Supply was much quicker, but then they are only in the US.

Sorry no trail shots, to much of a hasle to bring camera, tripod etc. One of these days, maybe.

Well hope this help anyone looking for an easy DIY light build with little power tools needed. Everything just screws right in!

UPDATE:
Adding this video on how these lights work on the trail. Sorry but the GoPro does not work very well in low light. But well enough when the lights are on high. Enojoy.


Update:

Do you guys wish this build could be a little lighter and smaller? I would also say easier, but this is about as easiest as it gets.

Well you're in luck! Cause meet XM-L's little cozin..."XM-L2"



They are about the same in length but the new body has a smaller diameter.




It weights less too!! I assuming it'll weight in at around 81g with driver, optics, emitter and wires in place.

I'm going to be using XM-L2 emitters with AMC7135 3.0A driver on this new build.

Will I really see a difference in light output between a 2.8A and a 3.0A driver?

Anyways here is the info you'll need if you want the smaller body.
Mainbody is 1/2 ALUMINUM CONDUIT COUPLING $5.00
Optic holder is R-21 $1.83
Heat sink is CUP-1 KILLARK 1/2" CLOSE-UP PLUG $1.60

To close up the back end, I'll use one of the sliding door thingy with a cable gland through it.
 
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#9 ·
Sweet! I'm personally not a fan of the trustfire batteries since there seem to be so many counterfeit batteries out there that are using the name, but otherwise a really nice tidy build. Thanks for sharing.
 
#11 ·
Cool build.

Instead of the coupler and second plug could you use two of the Condulet's and join them with the one plug in the middle?



After this tuck the driver up tight to the plug then screw on a second Condulet to cover the driver. You would need to make a little plate to close up the end of the housing. some thin plastic sheet cut round and glued in with silicone.

Housing would end up a bit smaller and the thread would provide surface area to act as heat sink.

There would be no single smooth surface to mount, but perhaps file one side flat to tap screw hole for a mount.

I need to build a couple lights for an event in September, this gives me ideas.

Anyone know what the height of a modified Regina is vs these Carlco and holders? I have some Regina's I had ordered to use in a sled design.
 
#12 ·
Cool build.

Instead of the coupler and second plug could you use two of the Condulet's and join them with the one plug in the middle?
Hey Shirk
I've tried that but unfortunately the Cup 2 Plug only screws in to the Condulet one way, smooth side in first.

I what I can't believe that I didn't think of during the build is, you can file down either the remain threads on the Cup 2 Plug or the threads from inside the Condulet slide it together and JB Weld the second one to the plug / first Condulet..



You can hammer in a sliding closet door thingy into the opening of the back side to cover up the driver.Or there could be a cable gland big enough to cover it whole killing two birds as you can now pass the wires through it. The opening itself is 20mm.



I like this idea, which I think I will explore some more. Just waiting on parts to arrive. If it works it'll reduce the cost and weight of the build! Thanks.
 
#18 ·
Try electrical outlets that supply companies in the industry. The aluminium parts I got is pretty common which companies use in their construction business. I don't know if the UK has the same electrical standards as Canada / North America but if you do companies there maybe using the same parts.

These parts can not be found in your local hardware stores. But many distributors are willing to sell them to the regular Joe, Westburne is just one of them. Another is Fastenal which I see has distributors in the UK.

Good Luck.
 
#17 ·
Total noob questions here, but I have to ask - this build was so simple and didn't require any fancy tools, i just wanted to make sure i understood all the aspects.

1) would it be necessary ( or recommended ) to heat sink the driver?
2) should the driver be insulated from the body of the light? Seems like it could make contact with the sides touch the solder joints or just the bottom

sorry if I missed something, but those were the only differences i saw with this build vs. a simple sled build where the driver is physically attached to the body. ( maybe i missed how that is done here - seemed to just be sitting inside attached to the LED and switch by the wires.

thanks!
 
#19 ·
Hi slcpunk,

1) You can heat sink the driver but I did not in this case and have not has any issues so far.

2) Yeah didn't think about that. But it's so tight in there that there is a very low chance that it will. But there still a chance so taking caution is always a good thing! Don't want your lights to go out in the middle of you ride. I may have to squeeze some thermal paste in there to keep things still. Thanks!!

I should update that step!
 
#20 ·
I have never had an issue with the drivers overheating. I don't heat sink mine.
I do coat all edges and power connections with 5 minute epoxy. The epoxy keeps the driver from ever shorting out against the aluminum. Oxidized aluminum isn't all that conductive to start with though.
During assembly I usually add a little more 5 minute epoxy to the driver so it glues into one spot. Had a driver that would rattle in one light that I built and it made me crazy.

 
#22 ·
Hi Kieron 67

The driver I received did not have the top board, don't know if the design has changed but the sku# matched that was on the packaging. I'll guess I'll find out if the ones I received was a mistake as I have ordered some more.

The size of the opening of the 3/4 coupling is 26mm more than enough room for the driver to fit. I don't know where I said it was 19mm?
 
#24 ·
For the ones that pm me for trail shots, here's the update.

All shots taken with the following settings:
ISO - 200 (sorry no 100)
WB - Daylight
Shutter - 3s
Manual
Jpeg straight from camera.

No Lights


Handlebar Wide Low (Cool White)


Handlebar Wide High (Cool White)


Helmet Spot Low (Neutral White)


Helmet Spot High (Neutral White)


Both Low


Both High


A second handle bar light was used cool white with a med spot. All 3 on high, two guys are about 60ft away.


Both handle bar lights on high


Hope this helps anyone out there looking at making this light build.
 
#26 ·
Wiring the switch to the board ?

It's probably me, but can someone explain me how you wire the switch to the board and/or batteries to switch between modes ?
I only see two wires going to the board ?

This looks like a build I can see myself completing !
Just try to figure out how to get the aluminum stuff here in europe as these are certainly not standard available here (not even in the industry) They are typical for Canada/ North America.
Got some contacts there though....

Thanks for sharing !:thumbsup:
 
#28 ·
Hi Lavadome,

The switch is connected via the positive wire coming from the battery. Thus connecting it to the positive terminal of the driver which is the middle ring.

Hope this picture will help you out.


If you have any other questions just ask.
 
#29 ·
Thx !

Now I see ...., Switch is in serie with the battery , just in the positive wire cutting the connection when operated.
It was confusion on the earlier pictures where it looked like the switch was in parallel with the battery.

Thanks again, now try to get the parts sourced....

Lavadome
 
#31 ·
The switch itself is not waterproof, but I do cover it with shrink wrap and fill the ends with RTV Silicone to help prevent water from entering. This should make it more water resistant.

I have not gone out for a ride while it's raining so I have not tested how water resistance the switch or the body is. But like I said in build, I have covered all seams (body and wires) with RTV Silicone which should get you home if you're caught out in the rain.
 
#34 ·
Im going to order up some parts tonight.

Only have budget for one right now. In your opinion would I be better to start with a wide or spot. I do have a pelican 7060 that is an amazing spot that I could mount to my helmet but it only has about 1.5h runtime.
Are you in Canada?

Thanks.
 
#36 ·
Im going to order up some parts tonight.

Only have budget for one right now. In your opinion would I be better to start with a wide or spot. I do have a pelican 7060 that is an amazing spot that I could mount to my helmet but it only has about 1.5h runtime.
Are you in Canada?

Oh and did you use 4 batteries per light or does that run both lights.

Thanks.
Machine, yes I'm in Canada.

Going spot or wide will be up to you. But the optics are not that expensive so I would buy one of each and try them both. With this build it's easy to swap out the optics.

You can always carry extra batteries for the 7060 if you're planning to go for a longer ride.

Right now I'm using 4 cells per light. I go out twice for about 2hrs before charging them again. I run the lights at high for 90% of my ride. You can use one battery pack for both lights just remember it'll cut down your burn time, 2.5hrs on high before recharging. You'll also need a Y adapter for the power supply. I created one from the original wires I bought from DX sku#15234. But I have since moved to the MS clone wires sku#32751 and use sku#32753 for the Y adapter.

I'm also using a 3 cell battery pack as a friend wanted to use only 3 batteries. I haven't used them, they're more for back up or if someone new comes along and doesn't have their own lights set.

Hope this helps.
 
#37 ·
Big help. Thanks. Good call on buying both optics. I will be building acouple more when i have more funds.

I see some cheap "decent" looking lights on ebay and what not but I think I would rather build. At least I know what parts go in. I think my local westburn ruddy closed up so I hope ideal supply has the conduit.

Thanks again for the write up.
 
#41 ·
Try sku#128269 It's what I'm using for my current build. Couldn't wait for the other driver to come back into stock.

There is not much room in there. The only other driver that should fit would be from Taskled. I'll be using them in the future, but they are pricey!

You have about a 29mm wide, 26mm deep area to work with.
 
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