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

Hey, just a quick question though. Isn’t it the retaining ring that keeps the pressure on the driver/mcpcb? I’m just looking at the schematic on page 1 of this thread. Haven’t taken the thing apart yet so I actually don’t know how it functions.

edit: found a disassembly album. it does appear that pressure is important. at least some of the heat transfers out the edges of the copper disk though i guess. maybe thats how I got lucky

Yeah, right…from a master. :crown:

Understood on photo bucket…… Fear not of being ridiculed my friend….

I’ll stand by you with a high powered blue or violet laser too…. ready to zap any ridiculer. As far as “holding your hand”…. yes i’ll do that to. But only if it is life or death for you. :smiley:

I do have 3 feelings now… pumped up & ready. So if you need one after getting scolded…… I got spares. :smiley:

Post #13,000!

(at the moment)

Fanks mate.
Wow , the 13000th post.

Yes… retaining ring holds driver in. Just make sure retaining ring is tight/not loose.

The MCPCB the LED’s are on is copper, it must be pressed against the shelf in the head to properly transfer heat.

my guess is the thermal paste is kinda gluey so it kept the mcpcb attached to a certain extent
still, im never doing that ever again

Amen.

In flashlights that use reflectors, it’s the bezel and lens that push down on the reflector, which then pushes down on the led/mcpcb. It’s this contact pressure between the mcpcb and the aluminum shelf that causes the heat to transfer into the flashlight body.

So you don’t want to use Turbo if the reflector or optic is out or the bezel is loose/removed. With no pressure on the mcpcb, the leds could overheat within seconds.

A few flashlights use screws to hold down the mcpcb, but most only use the screws for anti-rotation purposes (FW3A) and they don’t apply any downward pressure. The designs vary from flashlight to flashlight. It’s best to not even turn on a flashlight if the lens or reflector is loose or removed. Moonlight or a very low level is usually okay for a short period of time, but be careful.

This.

It doesn’t matter to me. It does matter to the forum owner/admin. Perhaps you are unaware of that after less than four months.

You were participating in an argument which you initiated.

As a reminder of, the rules that we all agreed to when we signed up:

Your first post accused another poster of being dishonest. That clearly violates rule #1

You then resorted to a personal attack towards said poster. This clearly violates rules #1 & #4. An argument can be made that it also violates rule #2.

Both posts have been reported. Please feel free to discuss the issue with the board owner.

In the future if you see other posters violating the rules I am sure he would appreciate it if you did the same.

We don’t need a public trial. Nev is no Angel. I’m sure he has thicker skin anyways since he asking for it half the time

:person_facepalming: :person_facepalming: :person_facepalming: … :open_mouth: … Was this necessary?? . :frowning: . ¯\

Kindle explained everything concisely & accurately . As did cabfrank.

racoon city knows the rules already, this just progresses a needless argument. You know, rule 4 and all “drop the subject” is probably the best course here

Let’s keep discussing the new FW3x options. Pretty cool choices!

On topic:

I wonder what they did do the full Ti version for heat. I think they tossed around the idea of a 3mm MCPCB or something.

In any case I ordered 1x stonewashed and 1x ti+cu. Considering this puts me at 4 FW3A’s I think 1 or 2 will make the WTS chopping block. Decisions decisions. :question:

I also had a hard time deciding what finish to get. I like both the polished and stonewashed options but ended up going with the same 2 you got. Figured the copper would help heat dissipation more. Now to decide if and which of my other FW3As to sell… haha.

BTW, I opted for the Express shipping option for $11 more. Does this make a difference?

I think it makes a difference in shipping speed, but probably not in “time until shipped”. Being early on the list and paying for express shipping, you’ll probably be one of the first to receive your lights.

Your tracking might work better as well.

You should get your light about 10-12 days sooner than you would otherwise