Managed to get the shorting light working after several disassemble, reassemble cycles and careful driver positioning. The second light is still dead with what looks like a bad connection on the driver () side. Driver is free to spin as if only connected at one point, and multimeter reads an open circuit between the () MCPCB and the square head threads.
Yes, but with something like a Zebralight (boost driver), it will use a voltage right down to 2.8v. With a fully charged low-drain cell, that’s a 1.4v drop the battery could be experiencing. That means a third of the power is going to internally heating up the battery. So if the light is using 10 watts, the battery is generating 5 watts of heat.
I agree with that. Also, FET drivers (like the FW3A uses) tend to be somewhat current-limiting with low-drain cells.
Most likely, yes. But I’d still rather use a cell that has a current rating at least as high as the light. Going above the current rating for a cell might damage it in ways other than heat. In all probability, that might just cause it to give you less cycles or raise its IR a bit. Still, the manufacturers give current ratings for a reason, some of that is based on safety.
With a good name-brand cell, you’re probably safe even if you do go above the current rating. With a knock-off cell, I wouldn’t risk it.
Has anyone measured the maximum current of the FW3A? I suspect it’s probably under 8A, even with a high-drain cell. So, the 35E cell should be fine. Besides, it has a max 13A rating for brief periods (I’m not sure how long that is).
It would have to be a large light. The BLF Q8 will operate on a single cell, but its max output drops by about half. I’m not sure that’s enough to heat up a cell to above 70C or 80C. Stick a boost driver in a BLF Q8, and maybe.
It looks like from test results on the Samsung 35E cell, that using a 10 amp discharge current will heat it up by about 45C. At 25C room temperature, that would get it to about 70C before it runs out of energy.
I came back because I am so excited for this light! Its very exciting. When will the new TK firmware be made, and will the SST-20 or an LH651 be put in? Neal said it they are still adding it? Hope to get one with the new firmware, SST-20 or LH651 soon!
Welcome “back” Lick! Where’d you go??
Curious as to why beacon is not in the strobe modes.
TBH, no particular reason. Things just kinda grew that way. The strobe group was originally just the two strobes. And the blinky group was just battcheck and tempcheck. Beacon seemed like more of a blinky than a strobe, so it went in the blinky group. Generally if I want a light to blink forever like a beacon, I find battcheck is sufficient… but people also seemed to want a dedicated beacon mode, so I put one after tempcheck.
Things could perhaps be moved around a bit now that there are more modes. Do people often want instant access to beacon mode? I got the impression it was something which isn’t used often, so it may be best left in the blinky group where it’s not in the way.
Not used often. I think it’s fine where it is. Thanks!
I can’t really see needing instant access. Most situations I could see using beacon, you’d probably have time to be deliberate about it.
+1 . I think most people neither desire or need instant access to Beacon Mode.
I’ve never had a need for beacon or strobe and would be happy to never have them in any of my lights; perhaps freeing up space for something more useful 
I love the strobe on Anduril. Very effective. I just wish it was accessible from on.
Just curious, what real world situations do you actually use it for on a regular basis?
I live in South Africa. Come and take a walk in our neighborhoods at night. I’ve used tactical strobes twice in serious situations. If it wasn’t for that I would have been mugged, or even stabbed. If you own a gun for self defense, why keep it locked in a safe? Anyway, not gonna get into politics.
. :person_facepalming: … My gosh, I was just asking. I did not mean to upset you.
I will pass on coming there to take a stroll however. There are places around here I don't go for an evening stroll either.
But I understand that completely… who wouldn’t.
I do not keep all my guns locked in my safe either. 
No need for politics… not sure what you even mean by that???
Hakuna Matata.
It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It’s our problem-free philosophy
Lol! I just said I’m not gonna get into politics. I just wanted to emphasize how important quick access to a proper strobe mode is. And the Anduril strobe is fantastic. The way you can adjust the frequency is awesome and I fined tuned it on some of my friends… Really disorienting. Now it just needs a quick access from on
I use beacon mode to help induce sleep, the adjustable brightness and speed are wonderfully useful for me. I can see a benefit in having it instantly accessible to avoid the brighter modes first but not enough to warrant a code revision, i’m happy with it where it is, i’m happy that it exists at all!
What’s that based on?
It is based on what I said “+1” to ……
………and what I think most people actually use ’Beacon Mode’ for. :+1:
Nothing more… nothing less. Not scientific by any stretch. 
Thank you for your answer 
Gotcha’…. :+1: .
You & I both wrote Strobe Mode… but I was actually thinking “Beacon Mode” as I misread what you wrote & miswrote what I asked. :person_facepalming:
I was just curious about frequency of real world use of BEACON Mode…. such as the example Marc E gave.