FW3A, a TLF/BLF EDC flashlight - SST-20 available, coupon codes public

A light with a higher output-to-thermal-mass ratio needs more aggressive thermal regulation.

I think the method I came up with should work on both large and small lights, but I haven’t actually tried it on a larger light yet… so that’s still To Be Determined. The D4 now uses a predictive algorithm, so if the temperature is changing quickly it’ll react sooner than if the temperature is changing slowly. On a small light, which heats up faster, it’ll react faster — often before the temperature is anywhere near the limit. On a large light with slower heating, it’ll react slower. And the magnitude of response is proportional to the rate of change too, so a bigger light will be regulated in smaller steps.

For example, this is only an early simulation, but it shows how the light begins to step down (green line) before the measured temperature (Tdrv) even reaches the low end of the target zone (green shaded area):

The driver can guess where the temperature will be in the future, and it tries to steer away from that early.

On a larger or lower-powered light, the response would be slower and smoother and have a smaller initial bump.

The FW3A is a FET+7+1, not a FET+4+2+1. So it can’t do 2x7135 or 3x7135 or 4x7135. It’s only 1, 7, or 8.

In any case, it’d probably be easiest to just put a blink into the ramp, or put in a config option for a blink in the ramp at channel boundaries. No need for a separate operation mode.

It’d probably be a good idea to wait until people get a chance to try the updated D4 and then see what everyone thinks about the blinks.

ah yes thanks
so it should read:

new mode groups:
low 12% 7135 - low med 25% 7135 - med 50% 7135 - high 100% 7135 - turbo DD
low 12% 7135 - med 50% 7135 - high 100% 7135 - turbo DD
low 12% 7135 - low med 25% 7135 - med 50% 7135 - high 100% 7135 SAFE no turbo option
low 12% 7135 - med 50% 7135 - high 100% 7135 - SAFE no turbo option

If I recall it correctly, there are several multi mode options, but a lot got the FET kicking in. I think all actually, nice with a big light and 1 7135 chip.
with 8 7135 chips and a small light a couple of options to choose from that keeps it in regulation longer could be good right?
Also like the idea of being ble to put it in a safe selection without it being possibleto use anything but the 7135.

Please add me to the list for one.
Thanks
-DK

I would imagine it can have whatever mode groups you like. I’ll probably stick with ramping plus boundary blinks, for my personal use, but the mode group UI has tables for defining this stuff. It’s probably not hard to edit those tables.

Please add me to the list! Thanks

Hi,

Please add me to the list.

Thanks
Chuck

Now that Lumintop is involved, please add 2 more for me.

Two for me please.

I’m on the list for 2. Add another to me please. Total, 3. Lumintop is cool.

I’m in for one please.

Lumintop will make a great FW3A flashlight. Thanks “The Miller” for your and everyone else’s hard work.

Something preposterously bright! Something like how some people buy large/fast cars to over-compensate. That for me, but with flashlights, cause flashlights require less of a bank loan than a car does.

Interested! Please add me to the list.

Thank You The Miller, you are really great… :slight_smile:

Mark me down for one please. Thanks!!

MARK!

EDIT, list updated, wow, 707 TLF and BLF lists combined, awesome!

Welcome new members!

they surenow how to ake nice lights, just recieved a IYP365 Titanium for review, wow so nice!
And thos Prince lights, they sure know how to make cool stuff!

You are right, if the ramping shows the channels used that seems lke the way to operate a light like the FW3A for sure!

1 please
thanks

Please put me down for one of these. I thought that I asked to be on the list early on, but I just looked and could not find my name on the list. Looks like a great little light.

This light is going to be awesome!

Also a good business model for makers like Lumintop.

  • They get to make a high-quality light vetted by flashlight enthusiasts without having to do much, if any, design and engineering work themselves.
  • Us flashlight enthusiasts benefit from getting a great light from a reliable manufacturer.