Hello all. Noob here with a noob question. My latest learning experience is that if you stack 18350 10A batteries in a 18650 Convoy S2+ SST40 it will quit working. Would anyone care to tell me what I fried did and why it was a terrible idea? Thanks in advance, and I appreciate any advice on how to fix my favorite light.
Hi there.
You put the batteries in series, delivering (depending on charge) probably around 8 volts to a 4 volt system. The SST40 will fry at that voltage, but what probably fried first was part of the driver electronics.
To repair it, you’d need to replace the driver at the very least. I’d also test the LED, but unless it got extremely bright for an extremely brief period of time, it likely wasn’t impacted.
Well, you have used two cells in series, which makes 8,4V (when fully charged) and the driver is not suited for that, since it is designed for a single cell (4,2V)
Maybe you even fried the LED
Since it’s your first post, some information. LED’s use current for brightness and run time. Unless specified extra voltage does nothing for either. Exceed it and the driver will fry quickly.
I agree with Mortuus, pricewise that would be even more attractive (and easier)
The S2+ isn’t very expensive, a new driver and MCPCB plus LED would cost you probably around 12$
I've already ordered another one, but I would still like to save the one I have... or at least do something with the host. I don't even own a soldering iron. lol Any drop in suggestions?
If you’re not interested in soldering, you probably have no chance of fixing it. I recommend that you get yourself a soldering iron and learn how to solder, and fix it. But, if that doesn’t appeal to you, the other option is that you could sell it for a much reduced price to somebody here who will be glad to fix it and maybe even upgrade it, while you buy yourself something else.
I have one of these: Yihua 936B soldering station which I bought years ago, and it has been great. I was never able to solder electronics successfully with the cheaper soldering irons that are available. This soldering station is compatible with Hakko brand tips, which are very high quality. But it comes with a nice chisel tip already. I’ve been using mine with no problems for years already.