*BLF LT1 Lantern Project) (updated Nov,17,2020)

[atobe]

I can confirm that black will be one of the colors available, but I can not deny or confirm any other color options at this moment.

[madcrow]

@DBSAR

NOTE: for anyone who used the flat tops with the slightly raised positive top cap on the cells that does work in the LT1, be VERY careful of that trim-pot just inside the ring on the driver.

Thanks for the warning, Den! :+1:
I’ve been worried about this ever since I first saw at the driver PCB photos. Especially, because I plan to use NCR18650GA (semi-)flat-top cells.
What is your opinion about simply removing the pot? IIRC, it was mentioned earlier, that currently it does not have any real use (it could act as a current limiter for an optional locator LED, which is not mounted by default).
It could be desoldered as a DIY “mod” by the users who want to use flat-tops, OR it could be omitted to begin with (i.e. not mounted in the factory) in future batches.

[sbslider]

@madcrow

What is your opinion about simply removing the pot? IIRC, it was mentioned earlier, that currently it does not have any real use (it could act as a current limiter for an optional locator LED, which is not mounted by default).
It could be desoldered as a DIY “mod” by the users who want to use flat-tops, OR it could be omitted to begin with (i.e. not mounted in the factory) in future batches.

I believe that is the long term plan, but I’m also guessing the next batch (in process) will still have it.

[amishbill]

@madcrow

@DBSAR

NOTE: for anyone who used the flat tops with the slightly raised positive top cap on the cells that does work in the LT1, be VERY careful of that trim-pot just inside the ring on the driver.

…. Especially, because I plan to use NCR18650GA (semi-)flat-top cells.
….

I’ve had feedback that the Sanyo NCR18650GA gets close to, but does not touch the trimmer.
As I get more feedback or direct information I will share.

[DBSAR]

@madcrow

@DBSAR

NOTE: for anyone who used the flat tops with the slightly raised positive top cap on the cells that does work in the LT1, be VERY careful of that trim-pot just inside the ring on the driver.

Thanks for the warning, Den! :+1:
I’ve been worried about this ever since I first saw at the driver PCB photos. Especially, because I plan to use NCR18650GA (semi-)flat-top cells.
What is your opinion about simply removing the pot? IIRC, it was mentioned earlier, that currently it does not have any real use (it could act as a current limiter for an optional locator LED, which is not mounted by default).
It could be desoldered as a DIY “mod” by the users who want to use flat-tops, OR it could be omitted to begin with (i.e. not mounted in the factory) in future batches.

The trim-pot resistor at this time is dormant, and it could be possible to remove it if you wish. as it was a feature added for modders, it has been discussed by the team and its likely it will be relocated in the future lots.

[sbslider]

I removed the trim pot on my LT1 with a small flat blade screw driver. Warning: Do not attempt this at home.

First just the screw part of the trim pot, but a post was still sticking up.

So I used the screw driver to remove the pot completely, a bit of clean up with some side cutters.
No concern now with my laptop pull batteries somehow shorting on the trim pot.

Note amishbill’s rolled up cheat sheet between the cells.

[madcrow]

@sbslider

I removed the trim pot on my LT1 with a small flat blade screw driver.

Wow, that was pretty brutal. Poor trim-pot!

[Yokiamy]

Whats that on top of your cells?

[Rusty4x4]

@Yokiamy

Whats that on top of your cells?

Looks like the tabs you find on cells from commercial battery packs.

[madcrow]

I guess they were salvaged from a battery pack (laptop battery, etc). What you see on top of the cells seem to be the remainders of the metal tabs that used to connect the cells in the pack together. They are now cut and folded to act as makeshift “button tops”. Neat trick.

[SIGShooter]

I tested a number of different flat top 18650’s to see if the trim pot was an issue but none of them made contact with the trim pot. So perhaps it’s a matter of manufacturing tolerance that’s causing contact with some of the LT’s?

[xevious (Gary)]

@sbslider

Note amishbill’s rolled up cheat sheet between the cells. :+1:

@madcrow

I guess they were salvaged from a battery pack (laptop battery, etc). What you see on top of the cells seem to be the remainders of the metal tabs that used to connect the cells in the pack together. They are now cut and folded to act as makeshift “button tops”. Neat trick.

Man, just got a big “ah ha” moment. I’ve been pulling off the soldered tabs on my laptop pulls, then scraping pliers over them to flatten down the sharp bits. Doing what you did, simply clipping and leaving the main tab, makes perfect sense. I feel so… stupid. :disappointed:

[Roger_Sully]

I’m a day late and a dollar short

I wish I had seen this lantern earlier! I mean I have more than enough lights but a good lantern has been eluding me for a long time…

[amishbill]

@xevious

@sbslider

Note amishbill’s rolled up cheat sheet between the cells. :+1:

@madcrow

I guess they were salvaged from a battery pack (laptop battery, etc). What you see on top of the cells seem to be the remainders of the metal tabs that used to connect the cells in the pack together. They are now cut and folded to act as makeshift “button tops”. Neat trick.

Man, just got a big “ah ha” moment. I’ve been pulling off the soldered tabs on my laptop pulls, then scraping pliers over them to flatten down the sharp bits. Doing what you did, simply clipping and leaving the main tab, makes perfect sense. I feel so… stupid. :disappointed:

Don’t beat yourself up too far. You’re not the only one to figure this out after totally stripping too many cells.

[sbslider]

@madcrow

I guess they were salvaged from a battery pack (laptop battery, etc). What you see on top of the cells seem to be the remainders of the metal tabs that used to connect the cells in the pack together. They are now cut and folded to act as makeshift “button tops”. Neat trick.

Exactly.

@SIGShooter

I tested a number of different flat top 18650’s to see if the trim pot was an issue but none of them made contact with the trim pot. So perhaps it’s a matter of manufacturing tolerance that’s causing contact with some of the LT’s?

I wasn’t worried until I took a small straight edge and noticed that the trim pot on my unit did stick up above the battery ring. You can see the cells I’m using are not exactly clean on top, so I just opted to remove the non-value added for me trim pot. Now I have no concerns.

A note on these “button top” laptop pulls, one can do a much cleaner job than I did with the left over tabs, but these are functional and safe as best I can tell, so I left them as is. Like others, I used to completely remove the tabs, but when I was preparing for the LT1, it made sense to leave on the short tab and fold it over for a equivalent to a button top cell. I’ve got 50 of them, so I’m hoping the extension tubes will come to fruition.

[DBSAR]

Ok, here is the short video of where i discovered the trimmer pot hooked the edge of the wrap on a Pana CGR18650E (MH12210) Laptop pull.

LT1 Trimmer-pot hooking on Battery wrap

[DBSAR]

-Next video here, describing how i re-aligned the bail handle 90 degrees to the on/off switch.

BLF LT1 Bail Handle Alignment

[DBSAR]

-New video upload: November,9,2019, -Basic operation-101 of the Sofirm BLF LT1 lantern Andruil firmware: (have patience with my fast accent talking, i need to practice to talk slower and get a better camera mic set up.)

BLF LT1 Andruil Operation 101

[Stittville_Ed]

This is a GREAT help to get all the benefits of the Lantern !!!
It is very easy to understand how the Lantern by watching your Video.

Thanks for doing this.

I’ll be up all night playing with this.

[DBSAR]

@Stittville Ed

This is a GREAT help to get all the benefits of the Lantern !!!
It is very easy to understand how the Lantern by watching your Video.

Thanks for doing this.

I’ll be up all night playing with this.

:+1: