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
So I see that I need a little education on drivers. What are the different ones, I see “direct driver” and “constant current” are a couple of options… Any rules of thumb on chosing them?
Also, any pros/cons with led’s in series or parallel?