Can anyone step up for an AA/2AA only BLF budget flashlight?

I’ll be watching with interest but I think you will need to find an off the shelf step up converter chip with higher current handling than PAM2803.

Here is some work with that chip:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/31239

With a larger coil & cap it can get to 1Amp out from 2AA. (input current must stay below 2 Amps)

I use the DX SKU 25505 single mode with modest output for 1 & 2AA. Within spec it will do 80-90% efficiency. (for my use here, run time is more important; top bin Cree LED’s will now get to 500 lumens at 1 Amp.)

For sure there are better higher current 2AA drivers out there from Fenix, Olight, Eagletac, etc.

As stated earlier, the key is to get the driver.
Happy Hunting.

Hmmm, give every person a lump of clay to put over a dummy battery tube, and hold in a comfortable grip — then laser scan that and use it to make a perfect hand-fit flashlight?
Nah, that’d be over budget …

Who builds County Comms lights?

This one seems nice but too expensive for me to give away.

For me, the challenge would be a 1xAA light, not 2xAA. So, to get 1A out of 1 AA cell with Attiny control would be my holy grail!

I have a weak spot for a good AA/2AA light. I’m actually tracking down a 2AA host to mod with some older AA drivers I had apparently stashed away for a rainy day. I’m anxious to see where this goes since I’m already looking at other AA options to my EA11 and Thrunite 1A. The Manker T01 is certainly promising, but i would MUCH rather support this build than a production light. I’m not too particular about the shape, but the usability and programming is key. Oh yeah - the “wow” factor is important to.

I’m also curious to see what CalvinIS has in store…

I think after reading through this thread and digesting much of what has been said I would like to see the BLF X5 (In type 3 black aluminium) with a longer 2 AA cell body as light for this GB. The X5 seems to tick all the boxes and size and looks wise it would kind of be what the Mini maglite should be if they kept up with the latest technology. I would presume it would be doable in the $20-25 level too which always seems to get a lot of interest in GB’s.

Except that the X5 doesn’t have a boost driver, so we still need that, too.

I have one in 2AA, but have been unable to purchase a single AA tube for it. I would love to find a single AA tube, used with a 14500 it would be a great little light. They are very well made, I like it better than the Solarforce L2r.

The other issue is that there do not seem to be any really good driver out there. I have a couple of older AA lights that could use a bump, but really need a driver with the new LED.

Matt

You said it. I would join the band wagon for a 2AA light, but an Attiny13A driver for a 1AA light would blow my mind.

There are more new members every day and some have EE knowledge so keep asking and sooner or later it will happen. Remember it took several years to get a programmable 17mm buck driver. If someone were paid to do it then it would get done sooner but as it is you have to wait for someone with a hobby interest to take it up and run with it. Testing, boards, and parts costs money so setting up a way for people to pitch in could accelerate the process but you first need to find your EE. Then there’s always the DIY method and you might find lots of help where you might not find volunteers.

One of those (kinda) new members here, although I’m not an EE. Sorry. Just wondering, how did the other drivers get designed? Obviously some smart folks have put in the effort here before, folks like Wight or Alex Wells, maybe. Those are names I’ve seen but know nothing about. Are they not up to this job? Do they just not want it? Have they left the community?

For us new guys, what’s the story there?

Ah heck, I just can't resist VoB :)

  • 14mm diameter
  • ATtiny85V microcontroller
  • 0.7 - 3.0V input voltage
  • 0.4 - 420 mA LED drive current (XP-G2; 1x Eneloop)
  • Full current-control through all drive currents
  • Off-time capacitor mode switching
  • End-user programmable via custom firmware:
    • 1-4 output levels
    • Brightness of each output level fully adjustable
    • Toggle between classic mode memory, hybrid or no mode memory
  • 2xAA/1xCR123 not yet tested but should work with higher LED currents possible/likely
  • Li-ion likely to run direct-drive (at least until the sense resistor burns out :P)

Nice. Where do I order from?

!!!

:slight_smile:

Welcome to BLF :-) That is one heck of a first post calipsoii ! That sounds and looks like a great driver, both the hardware and the software! So what's the story? You designed it and kept it a secret till now?

edit: I should check CPF a bit more often ;-) http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?373167-Build-Log-The-1-5V-Project

That is a great build log, I'm enjoying reading it :-)

Hey calipsoii, thanks for sharing the teaser with us, now how about some details and a sales thread? :wink:

Some things I’d like to know:

1) With your circuit design, is the 420mA output the most that a single Eneloop can do, or is it set at that level for safety, or efficiency, or parts are cheap, or what?

2) You said maybe 2xAA or 1xCR123A might do higher current. Any way we could get testing done on that? If you don’t have the time or the means to test, could you send a sample to one of the guys here that do testing, like djozz?

3) Will you be selling this driver? And, if so, when, where, and how much?

4) Is the design open? Will you be sharing your board layout? Could someone here legally make PCB changes in order to improve the design, make different sized boards, or change components?

Wait, is that 2 different drivers? or one 2-sided driver without a spring contact?

Two-sided: with current control on all levels, an Attiny85 and a torroid there's not an option for a 14mm one-sided board.

I just read some parts of the build thread. Thanks to djozz for the link! I’m really interested in this driver!

Great looking driver you created there calipsoii. Checked out your build log on CPF. You really do some first class work.

I don't have time to look at the data sheet for the Linear's LTC352 today. Did you consider the PAM2803 when choosing a boost converter? Supposed to be designed for a 1 amp load.