Yourrid, I just bore the center hole out a little on the driver to accept the 18ga. just make sure the via is staying intact so the MCU can get power from the spring on the battery side, that’s how it works after all.
Alternatively, you can strip and tin the end of your 18ga wire and solder it into the via, then do a more traditional spring bypass on the other side of the board. That will work as well. Even a 22ga spring bypass will work in conjunction with the gold plating on the spring, should net just about the same as if the 18ga wire were run straight through. Very short span we’re talking here, shouldn’t make a lot of difference.
Or use the 20ga wire Richard put on the driver for your spring bypass.
Or remove the driver spring and solder a brass button (copper button) on the driver for a direct contact to the positive terminal of the cell used. Be sure to have a good spring on the negative end in the tail cap with at least a 20ga bypass there.
Yourrid, I just bore the center hole out a little on the driver to accept the 18ga. just make sure the via is staying intact so the MCU can get power from the spring on the battery side, that’s how it works after all.
Alternatively, you can strip and tin the end of your 18ga wire and solder it into the via, then do a more traditional spring bypass on the other side of the board. That will work as well. Even a 22ga spring bypass will work in conjunction with the gold plating on the spring, should net just about the same as if the 18ga wire were run straight through. Very short span we’re talking here, shouldn’t make a lot of difference.
Or use the 20ga wire Richard put on the driver for your spring bypass.
Or remove the driver spring and solder a brass button (copper button) on the driver for a direct contact to the positive terminal of the cell used. Be sure to have a good spring on the negative end in the tail cap with at least a 20ga bypass there.
Dale, I actually started out with a drill bit thinking I could just slightly enlarge the hole to get the 18ga through. The next size drill bit I have is the exact size of the gold circle around the center hole. 18ga would be ideal considering this is a FET, but I’m worried of making the hole too big, or nicking one of the chips.
The driver only came with 22ga wires which weren’t attached. I also bought a replacement driver for my Convoy L6 and it came with 22ga as well. I went around searching for 20ga wires today but had no such luck; Hobby Town USA, Fry’s, Microcenter, Walmart, hardware stores. No luck.
I’m looking online now to buy some 20ga (probably need to use it on the L6 driver as well anyways), along with some Kapton tape for under the C8F’s reflector as a precaution.
The driver only came with 22ga wires which weren’t attached. I also bought a replacement driver for my Convoy L6 and it came with 22ga as well. I went around searching for 20ga wires today but had no such luck; Hobby Town USA, Fry’s, Microcenter, Walmart, hardware stores. No luck.
I’m looking online now to buy some 20ga (probably need to use it on the L6 driver as well anyways), along with some Kapton tape for under the C8F’s reflector as a precaution.
I made the same kapton tape safety to reflector wire pockets and used 20GA in the XP-L HI build and it puts out 3300 lumens. Stock C8F driver, Stock tailcap spring bypass.
They made everything locate off of everything else, the slots for the wire contacts, the hole for the screw that holds the MCPCB and reflector together, it all key’s together nicely. Even clears 18ga (but yes, keep it neat)
Run the wire from the MCPCB and leave em both long, run em out the end of the head. After you put the screw inside the head to snug the reflector/mcpcb assembly into the top you can then cut off and strip the two leads for the driver. Just tin the stripped end of the positive and solder it into the via. Solder the black one onto the pad, solder the switch leads to the driver, then sort of twist the driver/wires assembly down into the hole so the wires lay down in there. Press the driver into position and hold the end of the spring while you start the retaining ring. I like to hold the driver down in place until the retaining ring bottoms out, then watch that you don’t spin the driver too much more while you snug the ring down. Voila! Il Monstro!
Edit: You can use a screwdriver or pair of tweezers to wedge into the spring at the driver so it spreads open enough for you to get your soldering iron inside the spring, solder the 18ga wire into the via from inside the spring on the spring side, that way you won’t contact any components.
Richard should have both, I bought the 2” wide roll from Richard a long time ago, I cut a square piece off (2” x 2”) and overlay the entire base of the reflector, then use an XActo knife to cut out for the screw or emitter openings as applicable.
I like to use Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive, if you ever have to remove it you can heat it up with a hot air station or hold the soldering iron to the board and once heated up you can break the bond. Arctic Silver Epoxy is more permanent, similar to JB Weld in it’s tenacity.
Looks like Richard is out of town for the remainder of the week. I appreciate the links! I didn’t realize he stocked Kapton. I’m going to put in an order for the tape and wires… and for the time being, use 22ga and some Arctic Silver Compound to mitigate heat until I can get it set up just the way I want it. Hopefully I’ll get to post some beamshots tonight between it and my “regular” C8.
Oh and thank you big time for showing me where to connect everything!
Wouldn’t thermal grease be better than thermal adhesive?
—
My Convoy L6 thread with XHP70.2, Texas Avenger FET driver, Narsil v1.2 ramping firmware (old), lighted side switch and cut down SMO reflector. Lots of amp draws on stock driver as well.
My Supfire L5-S thread with XHP70.2, 26350 cells (4,100 lumen!), Texas Avenger FET driver, NarsilM v1.0 ramping firmware and lighted side switch. My mini L6!
Modded S70S with MTN FET driver, RampingIOS (D4) and lighted side switch.
As far as removing the MCPCB again later on down the road, definitely grease would be better for that. But I rarely go back and swap emitters once I build a light just the way I like it, so I just glue them assuming that it provides better heat transfer.
As far as removing the MCPCB again later on down the road, definitely grease would be better for that. But I rarely go back and swap emitters once I build a light just the way I like it, so I just glue them assuming that it provides better heat transfer.[/quote]
I needed to diassemble completely 3 times my Sofirn C8F modded light head because I got a faulty led.
Dang! Were those stock emitters or did you reflow some of your own?
My emitters. XP-L2. Two new and one used before. The one bad was at moon level even at turbo with the other two. Disassembled the light and reflowed again. I thought it was bad soldering. Outside of the light it was good. reassembled and worked for a few times but then moon from one led again. Disassembly and that one led only worked good if I pressed one corner of the dome. So it was some internal fault. Replaced with new led and now it is good.
This light has a screw that sucks the reflector down snug into the head, pressing the copper MCPCB tightly into the shelf… some thermal adhesive should work fine. Later, when you’ve gotten the larger wires and have it all figured out just exactly what to do, you can finalize it…
The shape and styling looks good, but semi flat black looks “not so good”. Like you, I think flat black would be better.
—
My Convoy L6 thread with XHP70.2, Texas Avenger FET driver, Narsil v1.2 ramping firmware (old), lighted side switch and cut down SMO reflector. Lots of amp draws on stock driver as well.
My Supfire L5-S thread with XHP70.2, 26350 cells (4,100 lumen!), Texas Avenger FET driver, NarsilM v1.0 ramping firmware and lighted side switch. My mini L6!
Modded S70S with MTN FET driver, RampingIOS (D4) and lighted side switch.
Of course I hoped that they abandoned the ‘C8-styling’ of the head and came up with a fresh new look, but they did not. It is exactly a C8F with 21700 tube and rather ugly tailcap design (very chinese to ‘stick to what is there already and sold well in the past’ ).
That said, the whole has a balanced look, the 21700 size suits the C8 head size better than the 18650 size did.
“I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.” (Gus Speth)
Of course I hoped that they abandoned the ‘C8-styling’ of the head and came up with a fresh new look, but they did not. It is exactly a C8F with 21700 tube and rather ugly tailcap design (very chinese to ‘stick to what is there already and sold well in the past’ ).
That said, the whole has a balanced look, the 21700 size suits the C8 head size better than the 18650 size did.
You sound surprised. There were renderings in post 1 from at least 10 days ago. The finished look is exactly the same.
I wonder if it’s got the extra fins on the back side?
I like the battery tube and tail cap design. I have no idea why you think it looks bad.
Does it really look bad to you, or are you just disappointed they didn’t update it?
—
My Convoy L6 thread with XHP70.2, Texas Avenger FET driver, Narsil v1.2 ramping firmware (old), lighted side switch and cut down SMO reflector. Lots of amp draws on stock driver as well.
My Supfire L5-S thread with XHP70.2, 26350 cells (4,100 lumen!), Texas Avenger FET driver, NarsilM v1.0 ramping firmware and lighted side switch. My mini L6!
Modded S70S with MTN FET driver, RampingIOS (D4) and lighted side switch.
This looks nice, but I have to agree that they need to ditch the shiney anodizing. It looks cheap. The anodizing on the 18650 version is perfect. A flat/satin black finish with that sort of chalky powdery feel. I also agree, that tail cap is slightly disappointing, I just hope it can tail stand!
This looks nice, but I have to agree that they need to ditch the shiney anodizing. It looks cheap. The anodizing on the 18650 version is perfect. A flat/satin black finish with that sort of chalky powdery feel. I also agree, that tail cap is slightly disappointing, I just hope it can tail stand!
Completely agree the shiny anodizing makes it look like cheap bargain flashlights. The flat on the C8F looks alot better. Clear anodizing option would be nice too in the future.
Does anyone know if Sofirn has sourced a 21700 battery and what it is?
Can a 70mm long cell fit any of their existing chargers or will they need to make a new one that is a bit longer?
—
My Convoy L6 thread with XHP70.2, Texas Avenger FET driver, Narsil v1.2 ramping firmware (old), lighted side switch and cut down SMO reflector. Lots of amp draws on stock driver as well.
My Supfire L5-S thread with XHP70.2, 26350 cells (4,100 lumen!), Texas Avenger FET driver, NarsilM v1.0 ramping firmware and lighted side switch. My mini L6!
Modded S70S with MTN FET driver, RampingIOS (D4) and lighted side switch.
Don’t you mean 22AWG fits and 18AWG is too big?
Correct you are!
Sofirn has sent me two coupon codes:
18650 version C8F
20% off code: 20QSPTUA
SF14
20% off code: 2045TU4G
Reviews: Sofirn SP32A, Thorfire VG15S, Thorfire VG10S, Thorfire TG06S
Mods: Small sun T08 MT-G2, Eagle eye X6 triple XPL, Ultrafire F13 MT-G2, Convoy C8 XHP70, Solarstorm T3 triple XP-L HI
Big flashlight measurement and beamshot collection
3D printing stuff for flashlights
My flashlight related Instagram
Yourrid, I just bore the center hole out a little on the driver to accept the 18ga.
just make sure the via is staying intact so the MCU can get power from the spring on the battery side, that’s how it works after all.
Alternatively, you can strip and tin the end of your 18ga wire and solder it into the via, then do a more traditional spring bypass on the other side of the board. That will work as well. Even a 22ga spring bypass will work in conjunction with the gold plating on the spring, should net just about the same as if the 18ga wire were run straight through. Very short span we’re talking here, shouldn’t make a lot of difference.
Dale
Or use the 20ga wire Richard put on the driver for your spring bypass.
Or remove the driver spring and solder a brass button (copper button) on the driver for a direct contact to the positive terminal of the cell used. Be sure to have a good spring on the negative end in the tail cap with at least a 20ga bypass there.
Dale
Dale, I actually started out with a drill bit thinking I could just slightly enlarge the hole to get the 18ga through. The next size drill bit I have is the exact size of the gold circle around the center hole. 18ga would be ideal considering this is a FET, but I’m worried of making the hole too big, or nicking one of the chips.
The driver only came with 22ga wires which weren’t attached. I also bought a replacement driver for my Convoy L6 and it came with 22ga as well. I went around searching for 20ga wires today but had no such luck; Hobby Town USA, Fry’s, Microcenter, Walmart, hardware stores. No luck.
I’m looking online now to buy some 20ga (probably need to use it on the L6 driver as well anyways), along with some Kapton tape for under the C8F’s reflector as a precaution.
I made the same kapton tape safety to reflector wire pockets and used 20GA in the XP-L HI build and it puts out 3300 lumens. Stock C8F driver, Stock tailcap spring bypass.
Reviews: Sofirn SP32A, Thorfire VG15S, Thorfire VG10S, Thorfire TG06S
Mods: Small sun T08 MT-G2, Eagle eye X6 triple XPL, Ultrafire F13 MT-G2, Convoy C8 XHP70, Solarstorm T3 triple XP-L HI
Big flashlight measurement and beamshot collection
3D printing stuff for flashlights
My flashlight related Instagram
ZozzV6, I saw those pockets in the reflector and thought “I better be spot on with my soldering, or its time to invest in Kapton tape.”
I’m hoping this FET from Mtnelectronics, XP-L Hi’s, 20ga wires, double spring bypass and some Samsung 30Q’s puts out some serious light
They made everything locate off of everything else, the slots for the wire contacts, the hole for the screw that holds the MCPCB and reflector together, it all key’s together nicely. Even clears 18ga (but yes, keep it neat)
Run the wire from the MCPCB and leave em both long, run em out the end of the head. After you put the screw inside the head to snug the reflector/mcpcb assembly into the top you can then cut off and strip the two leads for the driver. Just tin the stripped end of the positive and solder it into the via. Solder the black one onto the pad, solder the switch leads to the driver, then sort of twist the driver/wires assembly down into the hole so the wires lay down in there. Press the driver into position and hold the end of the spring while you start the retaining ring. I like to hold the driver down in place until the retaining ring bottoms out, then watch that you don’t spin the driver too much more while you snug the ring down. Voila! Il Monstro!
Edit: You can use a screwdriver or pair of tweezers to wedge into the spring at the driver so it spreads open enough for you to get your soldering iron inside the spring, solder the 18ga wire into the via from inside the spring on the spring side, that way you won’t contact any components.
Dale
I, personally, think that flashlight modders should have been gifted with two sets of arms/hands.
Edit: Your photo, enhanced…
Dale
HAHA That’s what the Helping Hands tools are for right?
I was thinking about adding some Arctic Silver Adhesive under the MCPCB as well.
Finding an online retailer that carries 20ga silicone wire and Kapton tape is slightly more difficult to find than I had thought.
Richard should have both, I bought the 2” wide roll from Richard a long time ago, I cut a square piece off (2” x 2”) and overlay the entire base of the reflector, then use an XActo knife to cut out for the screw or emitter openings as applicable.
20ga wire
10mm wide Kapton tape (all he shows at the moment)
I like to use Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive, if you ever have to remove it you can heat it up with a hot air station or hold the soldering iron to the board and once heated up you can break the bond. Arctic Silver Epoxy is more permanent, similar to JB Weld in it’s tenacity.
Dale
Looks like Richard is out of town for the remainder of the week. I appreciate the links! I didn’t realize he stocked Kapton. I’m going to put in an order for the tape and wires… and for the time being, use 22ga and some Arctic Silver Compound to mitigate heat until I can get it set up just the way I want it. Hopefully I’ll get to post some beamshots tonight between it and my “regular” C8.
Oh and thank you big time for showing me where to connect everything!
https://www.amazon.com/Heat-Temperature-Resistant-Adhesive-Electric/dp/B...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AAX64EC/
Wouldn’t thermal grease be better than thermal adhesive?
My Convoy L6 thread with XHP70.2, Texas Avenger FET driver, Narsil v1.2 ramping firmware (old), lighted side switch and cut down SMO reflector. Lots of amp draws on stock driver as well.
My Supfire L5-S thread with XHP70.2, 26350 cells (4,100 lumen!), Texas Avenger FET driver, NarsilM v1.0 ramping firmware and lighted side switch. My mini L6!
Modded S70S with MTN FET driver, RampingIOS (D4) and lighted side switch.
10 NarsilM user videos for BLF Q8, GT, GT Mini and ROT66
Texas_Ace BLF Calibrated Lumen tube
Maukka Calibration Lights for DIY Lumen Measuring Devices - Headlight List with prices, specs and features
Review Jaxmnve M1 Stainless 10180 Keychain light - Lumintop ODF30 Review - Sofirn C8F 21700 Teardown and Review
Based on ability to transfer heat? I asked the same question last year: Thermal Adhesive vs Thermal Compound
As far as removing the MCPCB again later on down the road, definitely grease would be better for that. But I rarely go back and swap emitters once I build a light just the way I like it, so I just glue them assuming that it provides better heat transfer.
[quote=Yourrid
Based on ability to transfer heat? I asked the same question last year: Thermal Adhesive vs Thermal Compound
As far as removing the MCPCB again later on down the road, definitely grease would be better for that. But I rarely go back and swap emitters once I build a light just the way I like it, so I just glue them assuming that it provides better heat transfer.[/quote]
I needed to diassemble completely 3 times my Sofirn C8F modded light head because I got a faulty led.
Reviews: Sofirn SP32A, Thorfire VG15S, Thorfire VG10S, Thorfire TG06S
Mods: Small sun T08 MT-G2, Eagle eye X6 triple XPL, Ultrafire F13 MT-G2, Convoy C8 XHP70, Solarstorm T3 triple XP-L HI
Big flashlight measurement and beamshot collection
3D printing stuff for flashlights
My flashlight related Instagram
Dang! Were those stock emitters or did you reflow some of your own?
My emitters. XP-L2. Two new and one used before. The one bad was at moon level even at turbo with the other two. Disassembled the light and reflowed again. I thought it was bad soldering. Outside of the light it was good. reassembled and worked for a few times but then moon from one led again. Disassembly and that one led only worked good if I pressed one corner of the dome. So it was some internal fault. Replaced with new led and now it is good.
Reviews: Sofirn SP32A, Thorfire VG15S, Thorfire VG10S, Thorfire TG06S
Mods: Small sun T08 MT-G2, Eagle eye X6 triple XPL, Ultrafire F13 MT-G2, Convoy C8 XHP70, Solarstorm T3 triple XP-L HI
Big flashlight measurement and beamshot collection
3D printing stuff for flashlights
My flashlight related Instagram
This light has a screw that sucks the reflector down snug into the head, pressing the copper MCPCB tightly into the shelf… some thermal adhesive should work fine. Later, when you’ve gotten the larger wires and have it all figured out just exactly what to do, you can finalize it…
Dale
Any word on the new C8F? I’m (im)patiently waiting! lol.
Sofirn C8F
Convoy S2+
Ultrafire WF502-B(dead)
Sofirn SF36
I got a picture of a prototype. I told that try the old anodizing because it is too shiny and looks cheaper.
Reviews: Sofirn SP32A, Thorfire VG15S, Thorfire VG10S, Thorfire TG06S
Mods: Small sun T08 MT-G2, Eagle eye X6 triple XPL, Ultrafire F13 MT-G2, Convoy C8 XHP70, Solarstorm T3 triple XP-L HI
Big flashlight measurement and beamshot collection
3D printing stuff for flashlights
My flashlight related Instagram
The shape and styling looks good, but semi flat black looks “not so good”. Like you, I think flat black would be better.
My Convoy L6 thread with XHP70.2, Texas Avenger FET driver, Narsil v1.2 ramping firmware (old), lighted side switch and cut down SMO reflector. Lots of amp draws on stock driver as well.
My Supfire L5-S thread with XHP70.2, 26350 cells (4,100 lumen!), Texas Avenger FET driver, NarsilM v1.0 ramping firmware and lighted side switch. My mini L6!
Modded S70S with MTN FET driver, RampingIOS (D4) and lighted side switch.
10 NarsilM user videos for BLF Q8, GT, GT Mini and ROT66
Texas_Ace BLF Calibrated Lumen tube
Maukka Calibration Lights for DIY Lumen Measuring Devices - Headlight List with prices, specs and features
Review Jaxmnve M1 Stainless 10180 Keychain light - Lumintop ODF30 Review - Sofirn C8F 21700 Teardown and Review
Of course I hoped that they abandoned the ‘C8-styling’ of the head and came up with a fresh new look, but they did not. It is exactly a C8F with 21700 tube and rather ugly tailcap design (very chinese to ‘stick to what is there already and sold well in the past’ ).
That said, the whole has a balanced look, the 21700 size suits the C8 head size better than the 18650 size did.
link to djozz tests
“I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.” (Gus Speth)
You sound surprised. There were renderings in post 1 from at least 10 days ago. The finished look is exactly the same.
I wonder if it’s got the extra fins on the back side?
I like the battery tube and tail cap design. I have no idea why you think it looks bad.
Does it really look bad to you, or are you just disappointed they didn’t update it?
My Convoy L6 thread with XHP70.2, Texas Avenger FET driver, Narsil v1.2 ramping firmware (old), lighted side switch and cut down SMO reflector. Lots of amp draws on stock driver as well.
My Supfire L5-S thread with XHP70.2, 26350 cells (4,100 lumen!), Texas Avenger FET driver, NarsilM v1.0 ramping firmware and lighted side switch. My mini L6!
Modded S70S with MTN FET driver, RampingIOS (D4) and lighted side switch.
10 NarsilM user videos for BLF Q8, GT, GT Mini and ROT66
Texas_Ace BLF Calibrated Lumen tube
Maukka Calibration Lights for DIY Lumen Measuring Devices - Headlight List with prices, specs and features
Review Jaxmnve M1 Stainless 10180 Keychain light - Lumintop ODF30 Review - Sofirn C8F 21700 Teardown and Review
That picture look more balance than old C8 but it will better to reshape with bigger head for the single emitter to gain some throw.
This looks nice, but I have to agree that they need to ditch the shiney anodizing. It looks cheap. The anodizing on the 18650 version is perfect. A flat/satin black finish with that sort of chalky powdery feel. I also agree, that tail cap is slightly disappointing, I just hope it can tail stand!
Sofirn C8F
Convoy S2+
Ultrafire WF502-B(dead)
Sofirn SF36
Completely agree the shiny anodizing makes it look like cheap bargain flashlights. The flat on the C8F looks alot better. Clear anodizing option would be nice too in the future.
Does anyone know if Sofirn has sourced a 21700 battery and what it is?
Can a 70mm long cell fit any of their existing chargers or will they need to make a new one that is a bit longer?
My Convoy L6 thread with XHP70.2, Texas Avenger FET driver, Narsil v1.2 ramping firmware (old), lighted side switch and cut down SMO reflector. Lots of amp draws on stock driver as well.
My Supfire L5-S thread with XHP70.2, 26350 cells (4,100 lumen!), Texas Avenger FET driver, NarsilM v1.0 ramping firmware and lighted side switch. My mini L6!
Modded S70S with MTN FET driver, RampingIOS (D4) and lighted side switch.
10 NarsilM user videos for BLF Q8, GT, GT Mini and ROT66
Texas_Ace BLF Calibrated Lumen tube
Maukka Calibration Lights for DIY Lumen Measuring Devices - Headlight List with prices, specs and features
Review Jaxmnve M1 Stainless 10180 Keychain light - Lumintop ODF30 Review - Sofirn C8F 21700 Teardown and Review
Check out Bilakos’s coupon thread; I think a pair of Sofirn 20700s was listed.
No idea what’s under the wrap, though.
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