DIY: Upgrade CREE Q5 with Osram UV LED
How to replace a flashlight LED with an Osram UV LED?
In this article, we're using a CREE Q5 18650 mini flashlight, as shown below.
Simply remove the original LED and replace it with an Osram LED ENGIN LuxiGen LZ1-00UB0R 395nm UV LED.
Be careful not to buy a base that's too big. You should get a 16mm base, not a 20mm one.
If the base is slightly too big, it can still fit. Just use some silicone thermal paste to secure it.
After the thermal paste cures, I tested it with a variable power supply, and the heat dissipation was quite good. Once everything was reassembled, it looked great. Since it's a UVA wavelength, it won't be blocked by glass, so you can put the flashlight's protective glass back in place.
Turn on the light, and you'll see it works well—the various fluorescent effects look pretty cool!
