Greetings everyone, first post here on BLF - thanks for letting me join.
I was wondering if the community would be willing to help a noob learn to mod my own LED flashlights? I have been a LED flashlight collector for many years.
I don't have an amazing collection by any means, but I find myself shopping very often and buying a little too often (so says the family). I really want to start modding/upgrading and make something amazing that can't be readily purchased. I like small and bright - something that people can't believe is putting out as much light as it is.
I am hoping that some of you here can provide me with details on how to mod. I will need to be treated and spoken to like I'm in kindergarten since all of the terminology and parts used are still foraging to me. The more details the better - hardware - shopping sites - software and the like. I have a light that is broken and may be a good one to start with (images below). Or, perhaps you will recommend that I start by buying the necessary parts and pieces online and build one from scratch? Either way I'm good. Just let me know your thoughts.
A little info on me in case it helps: I like DIY and I like gadgets. I build and fly RC Helicopters, Drones and cars/trucks. I build/repair/maintain computers as a hobby (my family and close friends think its my full time job though). I am a HAM radio operator. I like tinkering and doing projects with Raspberry Pi, Arduino and other electronics.
Thanks in advance for anyone willing to help me here. Just remember to talk slow and understand at the moment I'm clueless about these things.
Welcome to BLF rpscuba! Exactly what do you want to do to what? There are so many ways to modify flashlights, but it depends on what your goal is. What’s wrong with the flashlight in your pictures?
And I think it would be fun to mod just about any light, from tiny pocket lights to larger spot lights. Maybe there is something that I can do to get my feet wet, something a little more on the simple side? Buy some lesser light on Amazon or elsewhere and order components necessary to upgrade it to something more?
I just want to learn and I have no idea where or how to start.
Welcome to BLF!
There is a long topic called “what you mod today” where you can find a lot of inspiration.
It seems you already know how to solder and measure.
So if you measure the size of the driver and star a led is mounted on you know what parts are compatible.
Generally speaking a light with one cell is for 3V emitters.
A nice mod is changing a led with cool white to neatral or warmer tint
You are using li ion cells?
One easy and fun way to learn is to build up a new light from off the shelf parts. If you look at the Convoy M1 host description on the Mountain Electronics website everything you'll need is pretty clearly spelled out. Try it- it's really satisfying to take a pile of parts and turn it into a fully functional and truly useful custom light.
Welcome to BLF.
Here are the pics of the OP light
Ultrafire WF-1200L
Also found this pic online of the light kinda apart. I will say because of that spring on the back, its design may not be something to mod as a higher power 5 emitter build. It will be lacking in heat sinking ability.
I do have some Chinese, yes. I have a Wouxun dual band handheld. It was a nice radio while it worked - it went deaf though. I also have a Connect Systems CS750 (DMR), a Tytera MD-380 (also DMR) and a BK Radio KNG2-P400 (P25). If you have any DMR repeaters in your area the Connect Systems and the Tytera are decent radios that I personally enjoy using. I will prob never buy another Wouxun unless they come out with a new model that proves to be better than what they are making today. I have friends who have Baofeng and they seem to be well worth what they sell for, but are generally considered as “throw away” units. I also have an icom IC-7000 for my base HF rig. Looking to upgrade it soon to one of a couple software definded radios (SDR).
In reference to flashlights, I really think I want to buy something and mod it to start. And thanks for the tips on my broken light. I will take it down and see if I can see any issues. If not maybe I will ask for input on how to rebuild it bigger and better.
I’m shopping Mountain Eletronics sight right now. Looks like a good place to start. Perhaps I will put some stuff in my cart and then share it here for review and comment.
Are you sure you want a FET DD driver?
Hmmm… maybe you do for that 5 emitter light, because that could handle a LOT of power before it costs a lot of efficiency or LED death, that is, when you have the thermal path from Led board to flashlight body sorted out.
DD (direct drive) has no CC (constant current) regulation so there’s no current limiting done.
It would be better to have current limiting on each mode (no PWM)
Neven (member led4power) has a nice FET CC driver.
You could use the 12 Amperes version, which can be limited to 7 Amperes with a couple of clicks.
And then you can optimize the electrical path without risking LED death.
It comes with an NTC (super tiny SMD NTCs, a bit of a challenge maybe…) for thermal regulation (reducing the current when it gets hot).
DD may give you the highest output ‘the easy way’ perhaps, but only when the battery is fully charged.
Anyway, i’m not a fan of the DD concept.
“Better” in which way?
A Direct-Driver gives you the most “wow”-Factor and you also have some modes on the driver, so you mustn’t use the full power.
Also the tiny light will get hot after a few seconds
