Buck and Boost Drivers, Testing, Modding, and Discussion (Pic Heavy)

slopegatri70, such driver does not seem to be able to handle 4 emitters in series with so low input voltage. For example, 4 white flat emitters in series require ≈12.5V at 2.5A, plus any cable and connections overhead. The effective input voltage into the driver is just very little above that, if at all, and so it cannot work properly.

If you are adamant in driving 4S emitters with such driver, raising the input voltage may work. For that, get some DC/DC boost converter you can fed with the driver's input and then attach the boost converter's output into the driver's input. Suffice to say, adjust the boost converter's output voltage to a sufficiently high value, 14+V.

Actually the input voltage i checked was on driver itself ( 14.2v), charging system gives 14.4v so almost 0.2v drop. i can’t use any dc/dc boost converter because it will stll lower the efficiency. ( motorcycle generates 11.5amps of current, only 4-4.5 amps is left for auxiliary lights after i subtract power requirements of headlight/turn signals/pump/etc.

i really thought 14.2-12.5=1.7v would be enough for this driver. i guess it’s not enough. maybe i should use 3 leds in series with 2x 20mm + 1x 26mm optics. it will have same or maybe a little bit more throw than 4s leds.

or maybe i should change the driver, but i don’t know if there’s any high quality efficient drivers available with low voltage drop.

man this experiment( modding the lights to reduce glare) is costing me alot, and there’s very little progress so far. (

I got also just from one German Guy 2 dead of those with 2R2
both with burned all in one switching chip
and it seems no one checks driver for not properly soldered parts, it is possible to let that do in a good PCB fab automatically

Did you mean…

I just got two of those drivers with 2R2 dead from a german guy, both with TPS61088 boost chip burned.

?

Without overclocking? Seriously?

@Nightsword: are rest of parts same or they have changed resistors too?
I don’t understand why smaller inductor causes eff drop. It can have lower DCR and higher Isat, take a look at specs from cheap inductors from ali:

I mean with inductor of same size and this one looks like it…

Eneen

Same inductor size/series usually means there's an exchange between inductance and current handling among the different series parts, being all parts of the series usually equally priced. But it clearly isn't the same size/series, they downgraded the inductor, no need to be a hawk-eye to notice imho. They stepped down to a smaller inductor with the same current rating but less inductance. They saved on production costs, and made a worse driver.

Series is different for sure, but they are pixel-perfect same size. This might looks like different current/sat specs or simply this driver has lower efficiency with smaller inductor. Bourns has good inductors (https://www.bourns.com/docs/Product-Datasheets/SRP1038A.pdf), I may give a try after ordering driver from KD.
BTW, is KD available? I’ve written some emails but no answer since week…

The 2R2 is a little bit bigger as far as I can tell. I have one of 'em right here. According to my cheap 1/10mm accuracy Aneng caliper its measurements are ≈10.25 × 10.25 × 3.7mm.

It's a bad choice what CDM has done. I may still go for it, but it is less appealing. And remember it lacks reverse polarity protection, so always stick it right. ;-)

Try sending some PM to Kaidomain's boss BanL. Or posting something here: KD (kaidomain): Deals and new products thread

They added a lot of vias. Strange that they would rework an existing design unless they were trying to address a problem.

Are these courses useful for understanding what are you talking about? Of course I’m not paying, money is reserved for more flashlights, LOL.

What about this one? Is it ok?
https://aliexpress.com/item/33000130006.html

That is Convoy XHP50 driver Eneen, good of course. Related technical information here: Damian's Testing boost drivers (#3+).

Nailed the best offers for the ∅22mm Manta Ray drivers here and there, btw.

Wow this convoy one is super efficient. It will surely go into my next build despite it’s lacking hi 65% mode. Thx!

There’s a new Convoy 22mm driver, XHP35 at 2.3 amps. Same controller as Loneoceans GXB172 so it should be easily configureable for 6 amp 6V, or just get a 12v mcpcb and resistor mod it.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000046041955.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.9.27654e0dKFiR1y

hi is the driver the same in all of Malkoff drop-in’s?.

I think Nichia M61 219B V3 single mode is a Buck driver right? - is this a new or an old buck updated driver or was there something else before this?. any reason for Malkoff not to get with the times, and update? -

I have read about malkoff using old tech electronics which could do with some updating. not sure.

I know the Malkoff is a reliable light, but is the driver reliable in 2019 too?.

kind thanks.

I’ve asked KD recently about the change - they didn’t change the picture so I charged them with not maching product description. They’ve replied this change was necessary to implement thermal management option. They claim it has a temperature step down now.

Can anybody confirm? Deny?

Edit: just to be honest: as I understood KD explanation - the inductor change was necessary to maintain the same price after implementing temperature control. So in my understanding KD traded better inductor for temperature control.

So, downgrading the inductor was necessary to implement thermal management?

What a lie.

The last change was not the inductor, it was the board layout. Perhaps some new resistors, as you can see in the comparison-picture.
The Inductor was an earlyer change.

Hey, so i’m new here, my first post in fact. I’m just wondering if this driver board (KX70) has a user manual, spec sheet, or if there is any documentation or explanation anywhere as far as using it. I am hoping the driver has some user configurable settings, like modes, power levels, voltage output, and such. But I can’t find anything anywhere.

Does anyone know if this driver has a menu system? Does anyone know how it works? Does anyone have the manual or a web link?

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a driver to (re)mod an older 2S 18650 flashlight.
Now it runs with a 6V XHP50.2 and an FX-17A buck driver. But I want to have more modes and 100% output current stability through the entire battery discharge interval. And I hate the mode group change indication blinking of the FX17A in low mode. :smiley:

So the big idea is to replace the 6V XHP50.2 to a 3V version, and install a higher output buck driver. P4000 would be an instant solution but the mode spacing sucks ( to me ).

Second idea is to install this driver: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32968062007.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.758a5f1d2tM0J6&algo_pvid=fbafeace-ff75-4001-b873-ceedbc92b81d&algo_expid=fbafeace-ff75-4001-b873-ceedbc92b81d-13&btsid=ef918fd3-c8cb-42a1-a2df-6d1bad2bd34c&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_7,searchweb201603_55

Runs form 2s/3s and supplies 4800mA max - but it is a 6V output driver. My knowledge of DC-DC converters says that basically possible to drive a 3V led from a 6V driver since the current is controlled. Of course the output ripple, the overall efficiency, etc. can/will change. But there can be other restrictions or protection functions of the circuit I don’t know about.
What do You think? Do You have IRL experiences of such builds? Or maybe any experiences with this triver?
[ Of course I asked the seller. Of course said that apocalypse will occurs if I try it. :smiley: )

Thank You in advance!