Code now public! BLF A6 FET+7135 Light. Short 18350 tubes and Unanodized Lights Available

This is TK's current write-up on the BLF A6 firmware, pretty detailed: http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~toykeeper/flashlight-firmware/trunk/view/head:/ToyKeeper/blf-a6/blf-a6.txt

Thank you Tom!!!

+1 Yup, this is very true and I trust the consensus of the experts here….

No, it just drops directly to the previous mode.

Thanks for the reminder. I forgot to update that after I added things to the code, so I updated it just now. :slight_smile:

A short(ish) list of the light’s features:

  • FET+1 driver for both maximum output and stable low modes, should do about ~0.3lm to ~1500lm on the stock light.
  • Standard-sized 18650 tube light host with good anodizing and (I think) BLF logo. Uses a reverse-clicky switch and can tail-stand.
  • Copper MCPCB with direct thermal path to handle the high power.
  • Two options configurable without opening the light:
    • 7 or 4 regular modes starting at ~0.3lm or ~10lm depending on the config.
    • Mode memory can be turned on or off.
  • Modes are evenly-spaced according to selfbuilt’s cube-root model of light perception.
  • Offtime-based UI which detects short/med/long presses to go forward, backward, or to the first/memorized mode.
  • Low-voltage step-down and shutoff.
  • Turbo step-down (timer-based, time not yet determined).
  • Hidden blinky modes:
    • Tactical strobe
    • Biking flasher
    • Battery check / beacon
  • PWM is fast enough to be imperceptible (19 kHz), and blends the two power channels to make tint shift gradual.
  • The MCU is flashable, and the code and driver designs are available for anyone who wants to modify them.

Approximate runtimes based on DBCstm’s power measurements and a 2500mAh IMR cell:

  • Moon: ~11+ days (TBD)
  • Low: ~3.5 days (TBD)
  • Med 1: 17 hours
  • Med 2: 6.5 hours
  • High 1: 100 minutes
  • High 2: 50 minutes
  • Turbo: 26 minutes (but not recommended for more than 60 seconds)
  • Tactical strobe: 53 minutes
  • Biking flasher: 5.5 hours
  • Battcheck / beacon: ~17 days? (TBD)

can´t wait to hit the [order] button!

thank you all for your great work!

I'm really interested in this light. I've been reading the thread, but it's pretty long. Can anyone tell me the approximate level of the moon mode?

I know it will vary for different cells.

0.3lm-0.7lm depending on mode you are in

DING! DING! DING! We have a winner! Please put me down for 1 in NW

Tom E thanks for posting the details. I can’t wait to for this GB to come through

I’d like to sign up for a nw.

I'm just glad to see "our" custom firmware make it into a nice production run. Everybody is doin what they are good at - from firmware to making drivers/lights. Of course TK doesn't make any $$$ on it - can't say Eagle Eye or BangGood are making much either, but if this gets pulled off where the majority is happy, we all owe TK something. I know she's leveraged some things from BLF or BLF'ers, but the majority is on her.

Rolz - thank TK, not me... Smile

Interested in purchasing at least 1 N.W. BTW, thanks to all who made this Group Buy possible :slight_smile:

+1

At Least 60sec, please…

At my age, sometimes it takes me sometime to realize just what it is I am looking at:-)

90sec would be great, but thinking more about it (after reading other’s posts) - No stepdown would work for me too.

If I don’t forget that the pain in my hand means that I am being burnt:-(

The way that this light is built, I would venture a guess that it is able to stand more that I/We. - Great heatsinking will make the outside of a High-Powered light heat up FAST, if the Sink is well connected to the exterior.

Thanks,

-Chuck

I should have a sample to test tomorrow. I am usually able to get moon into the range of 0.2 to 0.5 lumens though, so it’ll probably be in there somewhere. It varies for each individual unit though, and also depends on the battery voltage… so any measurements I post will be approximate.

Anything in that range is fine by me. Thanks for your efforts!

In group 1 with 7 levels, moon is so low as to be virtually useless (IMO) I have used it in a dark house late night, and outside. Even trying to see the camera settings up close and personal moon is so ultra low as to not be much help. I know there are those that will rejoice in this, and those that will groan. But really, it’s that kind of low…. easy to forget the light is still on because you can’t see the result.

In group 2 with 4 levels it’s not this way.

To rephrase it, those cheap little coin cell keychain lights with the 3mm tubular led? When the battery is almost run out? Like that.

When I initially checked the samples to see that they worked....

I thought the first one was defective because of the moon mode. It wasn't until I looked at the LED that I realized the light was on. I too find such a low useless BUT like you said there are many here that will rejoice at such a low. Hell, if your eyes are that good...you do not need a light

Besides Dale...we have our Max mode

Is it too late to join in? I can’t decide between NW and CW, so I’d like one of each, please! Thanks to everyone who arranged this!