I’d be lying if I said I knew what I was REALLY doing here
I’ve read ALL your posts on this light Dale, and they have been super helpful to a newbie like me. Truthfully, I’m going mostly on what Lexel is telling me will work for this config. As I read that he just got a C8F in recently… I assume he’s got me in good hands. But I’ll ask him about the tail cap room for sure.
One thing that I am learning is that the C8 “standard” is kinda iffy when it comes to different makers. I started off buying the eBay stuff (and was surprised at the quality of several C8 styled lights I’ve gotten over the years). My headlamp is going strong after 4 years at $14 shipped then— uses a C8 head, reflector and decent glass.
Anyway, I JUST ordered a KDlitker C8.2 in the 2600 lumen (med-white) model- GREAT little light BTW. But when I went to use my (generic) C8 tails switches I had off another light (Convoy, I think) the tail caps didn’t threat— what??? I thought ALL C8s had the SAME specs :person_facepalming:
So learning the hard way I guess… and peeing on the electric fence a few times as I go :confounded:
The stock switch cover is semi-transparent like on the GT.
You can replace the tube with Convoy. It is fully compatible.
Lexel can you make an Emisar D4-D1-like FET+1x7135 driver design in multiple diamters for E-switch flashlights? I will be happy with a 17mm which will be great for this host and one that fit a Skilhunt H03.
It would be great!
The original C8F from Sofirn had a tail clicky and no side switch, the new one has the side switch and no tail clicky, I’m sure it could be arranged to use a different tail cap to get a switch back there…
I can confirm Convoy C8 battery tube and tail cap fit on the Sofirn C8F
In fact, i bought a Convoy C8 host just to swap the tube and tail cap, because i personally like the classic C8, where the tail cap design matches the head design, and i prefer the Convoy knurdled battery tube too.
So now i also have a Sofirn C8 host without any switch…
When I started this light project (for my gun), I thought… “OK, ya… I have a great soldering station AND I’ve soldered up OpAmps for my classic old API studio preamps (about 40 solder points on a 1” x 1" board)… so this is going to be a piece of cake!" :sunglasses:
- WRONG!
** But, after a few DAYS and NIGHTS reading up on all this, I'm starting to get most of it, but I realize I've got a ways to go. But I'm going to be around because I love building my own things: guns, amps, microphones, recording studios (ahem), anyway I am READY to float me some LEDs and solder me up one of the lights (after breaking open every light I already have today!)
Today, I pulled out my XP-L2 LEDs and the first thing I thought was, "they gave me the wrong parts!" 3.45mm is TINY! Thankfully, I also have a good magnifier on my bench too.
Haha… I’m about to have a C8F with TWO switches! (I’ll figure that out then I get there)
THANKS Jerommel for that GOOD bit of news! I HAVE a C8 clicky tail cap I can convert using some parts Lexel gave me along with a remote pressure switch/wire he also sent me. Good to know I can ALSO work with modding a standard C8 tail cap as needed for Lexel’s FET board.
I think the trick to all this is to buy about 5 C8s from several sources until I make enough mistakes to: 1) know what I’m doing (then), and 2) have a drawer FULL of parts that MIGHT work with the next thing to come along
BTW:
KDLITKER sold me a “C8” pressure/tail switch WITH my C8.2 light I got in the same order. Yep… another hard “C8” lesson: it doesn’t fit the C8.2! I emailed KDLITKER and he said the same “matter of factly”. To his credit, he is giving me a partial credit for a future order (and so he’ll GET a future order)— good guy so far!
Me too, me too!
I have the side switch of the Sofirn triple head and the tail “main” switch in the Convoy tail.
So that leaves me with a Sofirn single LED host with no switch, or rather a twisty, if you must…
I’ll drill a hole and put a switch in that Sofirn tail eventually.
Hey . And why did you take what I put the reflector on the gasket?
Or is it features of machine translation?
I like the flood light of the optician Ledil Cute , I just polished the lens of the triple.
I want to ask the BLF forum masters: - Can I use the BLF A6 driver under the electronic button ?
No, the A6 driver is for a mechanical tail switch… the side switch needs a driver built to accommodate the electronic switch which leaves power on but allows for a “sleep” mode for the MCU.
Also, for the record, a new clear finish C8 from Convoy does not lego with the C8F concerning the tail cap. It causes glitchy behavior on the light I’m trying it on. So it might be up to luck whether your Convoy and Sofirn lights play well together…
Well I guess I’ll start “hoping” now. Was planning to use my C8 host’s tail switch (also from Sofirn) for my C8F (WHEN it arrives!) Hoping they used the same shop to make both!
Again… I learn every day how different a C8 REALLY can be :person_facepalming:
The shelf replaced the pill almost 2 years ago…. so that is nothing new.
Yes it was MTN… RMM’s place. It was not Simons store.
BUT… I DID NOT REMEMBER CORRECTLY. My bad……
It was the Convoy M1 that now has square threads at the tail.
I can confirm my Sofirn C8F WILL NOT work at all with the Convoy Clear C8 tail cap.
I can confirm my Sofirn C8F WILL work with the Convoy Clear C8 battery tube & tailcap.
…………………. Edit:this is what I “remembered incorrectly”… Convoy M1
Convoy really upped on this host the ante by adding square-cut threads, matte finish hard anodizing…………
Yeah, i noticed too and should ave mentioned that the Convoy tailcap is too deep for the Sofirn battery tube.
The de-anodized surfaces don’t meet.
The other way around (Sofirn tailcap on Convoy batt tube) works, but leaves a visible gap on the outside.
- WRONG! 
until I make enough mistakes 
to: 1) know what I’m doing (then), and 2) have a drawer FULL of parts that MIGHT work with the next thing to come along