The BLF Q8 uses 3V LEDs, 3,6V average 18650s, and a FET driver. At max power, it is running directly off of the battery to the XP-L HDs.
Large Niwalker lights usually use buck/boost driver. That means it either bucks the voltage of the cells(14,4V—–12V/6V XHP70.2) or boosts the voltage(7,2V—–12V XHP70.2).
Yes you can run LEDs in parallel. If power to the LEDs is the same, lumen output will be the same as a series LEDs.
Boost drivers are usually used to power high forward voltage LEDs(6V+) from a lower voltage power source(3,6V).
Buck driver are usually used to power lower forward voltage LEDs from a high voltage source.
The advantage of boost/buck drivers are regulation.
If you have sufficient headroom, brightness can be regulated as long as the battery pack isn’t empty.
Does that mean when wiring leds, using them in parallel is most common as you can utilize a single driver to power all leds instead of requiring a different driver for each? or is that only the case with linear/direct drivers?
Interesting. I didn’t realize you can get a boost/buck driver. Sorry I’m such a newb but what is a FET driver? is there another driver category other than the four discussed in that other thread? direct/linear/buck/boost
Wow, I didn’t realize the XHP35 HI has a typical forward voltage of 11.3v (just looked at crees website). I’m assuming then that 6v regulated is a choice by mfg of a happy medium between runtime/output?
On a side note: a question for all you fellows with in depth knowledge, advanced equipment and building/modding skills out the wazoo. Are most of you engineers by trade and come across most this knowledge in your field? or did your fascinations with lights/electronics drive your need for knowledge?
When wiring in parallel, you are basically creating 1 large LED array running at say 3V.
For example, say you have 4x XP-L HDs being run at 3,4V 3A. In parallel, it acts like a giant 3,4V 12A LED :).
FET drive= direct drive.
The voltage doesn’t matter as much as total power. You could have a 12V LED running at lower power than a 6V LED. Say, a 6V 3A LED, and a 12V 1A LED. The 6V 3A LED will use 18W, while the 12V 1A LED will use 12W.
For that last question, I’ve mostly learned by doing a lot of math, a lot of research, and quite a bit of chemistry/physics learning.
It seems the driver and battery configuration play huge roles but is there really any difference in running series vs parallel emitters? For example if you had a quad 18650 set up running 3 series 1 parallel you’re netting 10.8V 6000Mah likely boosted to 12V.
If you ran 4x series each emitter is drawing 3V 1.5A total 3V 6A
If you ran 4x parallel the series is drawing 3V 6A
If you run led in parallel is it the same as incandescent where an emitter failure breaks the circuit and the entire series fails until the bad emitter is replaced?
lol I agree that their throw specs make no sense but the consensus appears to be that this is a result of not double checking written information. The proof that they do stand behind their measurements is that when Maukka tested the MM18JR which has an ansi 10,000 lumens his tests showed 9,650 lumens.
lol compare that to a company like Imalent who tests up to 30% lower than claimed lumens
I just checked the price and one is $200, the other $45. Case closed.
For me……it’s nice hobby but ultimately, it’s a tool. If I have to worry about dropping it or losing it, or rolling on the gravel when changing a tire, it’s no longer a tool.
Besides, the Q8 is a slam dunk BARGAIN of a light.
XP-L HIs in the Q8 makes for a very throwy light. The CW emitters Sofirn used are gross but some 3-5000Ks could make a serious thrower with way less backscatter.
Got the GB link and it takes you to their store… Their store has all the product info unlike the main website…
Uhhhhh
The two throwers are apparently identical except the magnetic switch it the more expensive one. But somehow they suggest that they’re nearly as far throwing as the BLF GT
MF5SV1 440kcd 850m throw…
Maukka test on identical light 73kcd 494m throw
LR7SV1 & LB11SV2 903kcd 1900m throw
These both are listed at 91mm width… BLF GT figures with the same battery set-up, same emitter and a reflector half the size???
so based on Maukkas reviews their lumen outputs appear to be bang on. to jump from 2200 in the BK-FA30S to 2600 in the two new ones is a 20.1% increase in output so it definitely looks like it's possible to achieve the additional throw.
Unfortunately the MM18JR didn't even come close to the throw specs but if they're indeed driving the leds 50% harder up to 15 000 lumens maybe they finally achieved the previous throw specs which were way over actual spec or they're only driving the 70.2s 50%+ harder to achieve the lumens and will have similar dismal throw specs lol I can't decide if I need them or if I should just save my pennies for the eventual MF03 or MF05 or GT4...
Think you got the last 2 lines there reversed. Maukka reviewed the older MM18JR model. I'll be getting an MF5SV1 in, shipped, maybe a few days away, and I'll test and post.
For the lumens, I suppose they cranked up the amps in this new model - it's certainly possible to get 15K out of 2 XHP70.2's and a XHP35 HI, figure 6.5K each, then 2K more for the XHP35 HI...
I would expect the throw #'s to be about the same as what maukka got. What were they think'n??
Dimensions seem to be the same so I would think throw is unaffected if the reflectors stayed the same, maybe they got more amps goin on hte XHP35 HI but that wouldn't make much difference.
