making a small batch of Texas Avenger "TA" Drivers fully tested running Bistro or Narsil, Clicky or E-switch, SIR800

That would be awesome. I’ve been loving v1 narsil in one of my headlight builds. I’m looking forward to checking out how its matured. I still haven’t got around to learning how to flash drivers, so I’m glad Lexel is whipping these up so I can upgrade to the latest Narsil.

Good, point, not much use for the FET at low output.

I got a stupid setback

Tried to do paste on the boards the first were OK, then it gets harder to squeeze out the paste and I get way too thin stuff containing almost flux
then the remaining stuff gets rock solid in the syringe

Crappy stuff they sold me, my lead free 10 year old stuff is better

I recycled some from the syringe and applied it with a toothpick

could do 10 boards with remaining fluxed solder paste

I had the same thing happen with some of my solder paste. I ordered another tube and so far it has been working fine. I think it is more a matter of age, the older it is, the more it separates.

Yeah, I bought a tube of solder paste from eBay a while back, and it was a bit dried out. They also sent me a tube of just flux as a bonus. I took the ‘needle’ off the tube of solder paste and squeezed it into a cup. Then, I added some of the flux from the other tube and stirred until there were no more lumps. I got as much solder paste as I could back into the tube, and it seems to work fine now. Maybe you can do something similar with yours?

I bought some Kester EP256 on ebay. Vestureofblood recommended it in one of his “how to” youtube videos. I’ve only used it a few times but it’s been working great. I’m pretty sure solder paste has a limited shelf life. The one I bought on ebay was fresh when I bought it last year with a date of manufacture written on the tube.
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I’ve tried the lead free regular solder, but had a much more difficult time getting nice solder joints with it. So I just stick with the leaded stuff now.

Sorry for the setback. I understand if things get delayed while you wait for additional supplies.

Thanks for the support of our service budgetlight community in using our stencils at https://www.oshstencils.com

Just a heads up that we also sell solder paste in syringes, similar to the one shown here. We carry only high quality paste for reasonable prices, and are proud to see many of these designs come through our site.

Let us know if you have any questions!

Thanks Oshpark. Do you have a link to your solder paste etc?

I hope tomorrow new solder paste arrives
today I got 3 21mm and 6 more 30mm LDO boards

Can you PM me as to details for these, costs, time schedule, what soldering will be left to do for me, etc.

Thanks

Im interested as well if thats whats fit the L6.

Edit. I want one 30mm after reading what jason wrote :smiling_face:

Prices are in first post. I ordered mine for the L6 with a spring, Led and Power indicators (because I added a clear side switch cover and I want to know when the rear switch is on. Plus it helps you find the light and the switch in the dark), Narsil because it works with momentary switches, plus an option in the firmware to have the light turn on when you first apply power at the tail switch. After the tail switch is on, you can then turn it off with the side switch or tail switch. Turning off with the side switch puts it into standby mode and allows you to use the side switch to turn it back on as well as switch levels. I think it’s a pretty sweet setup. With shipping and tracking it was $26.

Not bad for the ramping firmware. The MTN driver only has preset brightness levels, although you can choose what levels you want.

The TA drivers are harder to get since they usually require building yourself. I’m not at the level of assembling complete drivers.

I don’t think there is an exact time schedule, but I’m guessing I might get mine in 4 to 6 weeks. No biggie since I appreciate that Lexel is doing this service for us when he certainly doesn’t have to. He’s certainly not getting rich building these. Lol

Edit, As far as what you’ll need to solder: the 2 emitter leads, switch leads if on the L6 and maybe a spring if you didn’t add one to your order. That’s about it.

I’ll be soldering more because I plan to add the switch lights to mine.

I’m sure Lexel will PM with all the little details.

I’m interested in one of the unreserved 30mm LDO drivers. 70c temp. PM me the price. I’d like to see how it does adapted to my chimera.

edit: Adapted = mounted to a stripped srk board. There’s more than sufficient space. I really like the chimera as it is now but with the TA driver I suspect it will be :heart_eyes:

Im curious. How do you plan on adding a lighted e-switch. Is there a ready made switch available, or do you plan on making your own?

The stock switch is already equipped.
Look here.

Wow thats pretty cool. Good find. You really got me wanting to upgrade my l6 now. I would just need to get a clear cover, small leds, and would loose LVP. I like to use protected cells when they’re in series anyway, so no big loss there. Hmmm

I just got some clear covers from Simon. He only charges for shipping. Or he can include some with a regular order.

1206 leds are pretty easy to find if you don’t mind waiting for delivery from China.

I don’t know if I will use both power and indicator leds. I may just use the power one, so I can use version 1.2 of Narsil and keep the LVP.

I just want to know if the rear switch is on and where the side switch is located. The power led should do that.

I think the indicator led is what blinks battery voltage and other stuff. I don’t know all the details on that, but I can probably do without it. To be determined at a later date.

You could post a new thread in the commercial section to give people a heads up on your service. Many do not know such a thing exists.

I have ordered from you several times when I used to build these drivers, all the orders were quick and worked perfectly. FAR FAR easier then trying to apply the paste by hand and much neater.

I have tried both the stainless steel and the plastic versions of the Stencils and both worked well. The plastic is fine for small batches but for large batches the stainless steel is worth the upgrade IMO.

The hardest thing I had to face was lining up the Stencil with the round pcb. If I was going to make large amounts of these I would order them as a panel to make that much easier.

Overall I highly recommend OSHStencils if you will be building more then 2 or 3 drivers.

Atm I got all 30mm boards taken, 1 is not payed yet

I ordered 5 30mm boards and LDO more than were requested at that time
as I expexted more L6 will be asked for, but now they seem to be gone

I did even got some more Attiny 85 and and FETs to get more than 50 drivers, but the parts are only for 59 and limited sizes now, check the Excel sheet screenshot for what is now left

I expected today a new syringe of lead solder paste as the last was shit with separated flux from tin, I hope it comes tomorrow and I can go in production this weekend

Today I got 12 17mm, 3 15mm, 3 22mm, 3 38.5mm, 6 21mm
so only 12 more 17mm are not delivered

More 17mm are expexted to come in about 10-14 days

Paypal and PM sent as discussed

Thanks