Supfire L5-S, dual switch, 1 x 26650

It looks like the old L5 does not have a self contained switch. I guess the switch was built onto the driver.

This new L5 looks pretty ideal for a 6 volt, zener modded driver to power a xhp70 using 26350’s. It’s a high drain driver, but you have the rear switch to act as a lockout.

I could switch the rear switch on when I get to work, have the side switch illuminated to tell me it’s powered up, then control it with the side switch. Power it off at the end of work. I recharge the batteries once a week so the drain while in standby mode should not be a big deal.

I think this new L5 design is just right for my needs.

I’ll try to explain w/o disassembly and better photos.

The screw in pill has a recess milled in the center. The recess is 3 mmdeep.

The X6 spacer is about 31 mm O.D and 8.6 mm thick. One side or end of the spacer has the diameter reduced to 21 mm. That 21 mm diameter protrudes 2 mm.

So,the X6 spacer fits into the recess and the pill and X6 spacer only touch on the outer rim area. The 1 mm spacer disc I made fills the space between the 21 mm diameter portion of the X6 spacer and the pill center.

The MCPCB fits flat against the front end of the X6 spacer as normal. Except I removed a fraction of a mm off the front end of the X6 spacer to enable the bezel to screw in more.

I hope that clarifies things.

Battery: Keepower 5200 mAh 26650.

Fresh charge, cell rested for a couple of hours.

Metering with the integrating sphere and meter that JoshK put together.

After 30 seconds on Turbo I have 2920 lumens.

Pretty happy with that.

Now the sad news… After packing away the sphere and meter I picked up the light and turned it on (rear switch), then tapped the side switch 2x. The light did not come on like it should have. Tapped again and nothing. Did a long press to go backwards. Nothing. Long press again. Nothing. Another long press and it roared into Turbo. ???

After messing about for a while I find I have something like a moonlight or low mode and the three highest levels. (Driver is setup for ML and 6 increasing levels, [1] 1.5% [2] 4% [3] 10% [4] 25% [5] 50% [6] 100%I removed the head from the battery tube and could smell that something had released magic smoke. :cry: The chips all look okay… no bubbles, etc.

Any idea what might have gone wrong? Thanks

I have another driver with same specs that I know works and it has worked in another light for some time.

So you lost 2 of the 7 levels? Sounds odd. I have no idea what could have happened.

Could you do a beam shot on the wall? I wanted to compare it to the DQG Tiny 26650 7x xpg2. It’s got a clear lens which makes for weak spill lighting. I’m thinking your textured lens might provide brighter spill lighting which I prefer.

I clarified what I stated above. It seems that ML is there some of the time, the next 3 low levels are gone and the highest three are there. ML is iffy, sometimes it comes on and sometimes not, mostly not now. I have better luck if I power on, then use a long press to reverse to Turbo, then level 5 and level 4, then nothing several times. Seems like the MCU is working, the FET us working, hence the highest levels work, but maybe not the 7135???

I pulled the driver and replaced it with another I had. Of course it was not quite so simple as the first driver was 20 mm and the other I have is a 17 mm. So, I first soldered a 17-20 brass adapter ring to the brass plate, then mounted the 17 mm driver and reconnected the wires. Perfect light again.

I have a some 7135’s someplace…. what box, what compartment did I put them in???

Think'n bad 7135, yes.

Ohh - and yes, old original L5 had the switch driver mounted. The new metal switch L5's went to a separate switch PCB, like an SRK.

There are 3 version of the L5 now:

rev 1 - black rubber switch

rev 2 - replaced switch with a metal switch on a separate PCB

rev 3 - added tail switch and USB charging

Though I do like the L5 in rev 2 or rev 3, it's a big light for a typical 40 mm head diameter light. The Lumintop SD26 is way more compact, though also a bit smaller reflector.

I’ll try replacing the 7135; I found the three I have saved from a driver I removed them from.

I have to admit the L5 is a little on the large size. However, that helps make it relatively easy to work on the head. I’d like to see a 18650 size tube on the same head, maybe. Anyhow, it is a nice light and might be even more cool with Narsil and a triple.

Only through these Taobao sellers? I haven’t been able to find a decent price on these lights anywhere else. I could use a couple of hosts like this. Anyone know where I can get them without going though Taobao?

This Ali store for SupFire L5, $24.50 shipped, but shows rev 1. Have to ask the seller if the pics are accurate, or is it rev 3 they are shipping now.

I doubt that’s the L5s.

Maybe this light will be sold in more places soon since it is a fairly new revision.

Huh? I got two of these L5's, rev 1 as pictured, and one rev 2. Richard at MtnE sold exactly the same light. Even Richard didn't update his ad from rev 1 to rev 2 when he was selling rev 2's.

The L5-s with dual switches has only been out a few months.
Richards store is tiny and he would describe any differences in the text. That’s very different from stores where you click on the item to buy. With those stores you get what you see. If they are out of stock there is no buy option. I don’t know how to explain it, but they gave this model a new name. The L5-s. Only BLF’ers call them revision 1, 2 etc…

I did a lot of searching and mainly found this light (L5-S) only on Taobao, a couple on Tmall and Aliexpress. The sellers on Aliexpress only listed quantities of 50 or more except one seller that would sell a single, but only shipped DHL for something like $30 shipping. There used to be a couple of sellers on Taobao that had a choice for only buying the light, no calles. However, lately they have disappeared or sold out. When I bought my L5-S I had to buy with 1 or 2 cells. I got two cells just because they were not all that much. They are branded Supfire and 3700 mAh according to the cell label. They tested at 3200 to 3300 mAh. Because of the cells inclusion cssbuy had to ship them NLPost. IIRC, they could also have shipped DHL, but that was crazy expensive.

I just sent an inquiry to the aliex seller offering that $24.50 version that ispictured with a black button. Will advise what I hear back.

Supfire’s own website still lists L5 with a white/silver button as well as the newer L5-S version. FWIW.

I haven’t just asked RMM if he would think of stocking the L5-S. Maybe I should.

I’m specifically interested in the dual switch version, so if the pics are accurate or not doesn’t really help as you can’t actually see if the light in that store has a tail switch or not. The descriptions are not all that helpful either: “rear pillar design big drum, and put an end to skip files happening better compatibility pointed flag battery :person_facepalming:

Yeah, found them 50 pieces stores too. I did find some shop that sold single lights, but they costed over $70. I’ll just wait until they are available in the usual stores.

Here's the L5-S listed on the manufacturer's site: http://www.supfireenglish.com/Products/led_flashlight/medium_flashlight/2016/1231/128.html

Here's the L5-L2 listed: http://www.supfireenglish.com/Products/led_flashlight/medium_flashlight/2014/0613/52.html

What I call rev 1 is no longer, but is the one shown on several Ali stores, with black rubber switch.

The L5-S - is 7 mm longer, 145 vs 152, and 14 g heavier.

I know what your saying because I’m a BLF’er. I don’t think Supfire ever called it rev1, rev2, etc…

Yea, I know they never called it by a rev # too. Never said or claimed they did, I just wanted a way to differentiate them. I didn't realize they still list and sell the one with the alum switch. I thought the tailswitch/USB model was the next generation, but apparently not - they are keeping the two models.

I have received a reply from that Aliexpress seller with the L5 photo having the old, first version switch.

“Fan Zhou: Hi!
This is the old version of the picture, and now our L5 switch is white.
We will update the picture recently. ”

So the present offering from there is the ver 2, no tailcap switch and a white/silver side button. Officially Supfire calls that an L5-L2

Funny - I got the same message. I'm asking them now if what they sell has the tail switch and USB charging. White switch could mean either model maybe.

Good to know though, at least it's new inventory and price is decent.

:+1: