Small Sun ZY-A21 [ from prize draw BLF ]

LED Flashlights – General Info Multiple AA / 14500 Flashlights
1

Small Sun ZY-A21 .. I won this over at BLF [ Budget Ligh Forum ] , and the comp was run by LT [ lightake.com ] , and I would just like to thank LT for running the comp .








Pictures hosted by = http://imageshack.us/

First Impressions :


Well , I got to be honest , Im not really a fan of big AA lights , at least I wasn't , I might be willing to change my mind . The beam is a little dirty , and by that I mean , its not ring'y , but , sort of , like the lens is covered with dirt , not its only really noticeable when white wall hunting . But what got me exited was the hotspot , its hot , and Im talking serious thrower hot . Now who would have thought a AA light could be a serious thrower ?

The other thing that has me interested , is this light could be a very nice mod host . Now the pill comes out real easy , and takes a 20mm Base/star , so putting in a new emitter should be easy , and it looks like the driver is 20mm .



Performance :


2 x AA


Dry Cells = Hi / 21L / 0.17A - Low / 7L / 0.02A

Alkaline = Hi / 44L / 0.16A - Low / 11L / 0.04A


3xAA


Dry Cells = Hi / 150L / 0.75A - Low / 41L / 0.16A

Alkaline = Hi / 220L / 1.5A - Low / 65L / 0.35A

Nimh = Hi / 180 / 1A - Low / 46L / 0.22A


4xAA


Dry Cells = Hi / 210 / 1.4A - Low / 65 / 0.36

Alkaline = Hi / 250 but sags quickly to 200 / 2.6A+ - Low / 14L / 0.08A [ Incorrect ] with tailcap 90L

Nimh = Hi / 200L+ / 2.3A - Low / 85L / cant get a reading


Running 4 Alkalines or Nimh batteries for some reason made it very hard to get a correct current reading , Im not sure why , but I dare say the poor emitter is severely overdriven [ current ] . And I haven't lifted the emitter to see if the pill is just a tube , I may take a look latter , and I would be very cautious about running 2 x 14500 , if the current keeps escalating as the voltage goes up , you could possibly cook the emitter . I highly recommend running 4 Dry Cells or 3 Alkaline or Nimh ...


Conclusion :


Well , 4xAlkaline or Nimh just drives the emitter too hard , once the light was cool I saw over 270L , and the current is outrageous .. I think a XM-L emitter swap would not be out of the question for this light , I think the driver can handle it , but the poor emitter is just over driven . Either use 4 Dry Cells or 3xAA for Alkaline or Nimh . Now I did mention this light was a thrower , and would you believe over 30,000Lux @ 1meter . This is right up there with the very best throwers , like the Solarforce Skyline 1 . Now the modes are Hi - Low - and strobe [ oooh dear ] . If you turn the light on and then off and on again it will start in the next mode , you have to wait at least 60seconds before it will start in high .

This light is built big , id say 18650 big , no reason you could not bore out the body . Still , there are plenty of AA fans boys out there , and now , there is a thrower option available for those wanting a AA with throw .

I kid you guys not , this is a seriously good thrower , and one that just might show up a lot more expensive lights .

Now just as I was typing this , the clicky switch went wonky on me , and needed work . I stretched the spring a little , and re set the tab that makes contact with the tailcap , all is good now , but I had to mention it ..

Its seriously hot and humid right now and it might rain tonight , so I will see about some beamshots as soon as possible .

2

I have one ZY-A21 myself, and old4570 is right, it really is a very nice thrower, easily as good as a much more expensive one, as the reflector is quite deep (and cheap plastic of course).

As mentioned above, the driver is a piece of junk, 4 NiMH (eneloops in my case) overdrive even a XP-G so bad that it turns blue and starts smoking (luckily, the LED is still working)!

The LED switch to an xp-g gives of course more spill, but still makes a nice thrower. If I remember correctly, it is a 20mm Star, but you need to grind down the edges for it to fit. I wouldnt recommend using a XM-L, as the heat transfer from pill to body is very questionable, as seen in the pictures.

Overall a great value light, I would buy again anytime.

3

anyone know of a reflector that can replace the orginal plastic reflector?

i bought this light coz DX description says Al reflector....lesson learned.

also, has anyone tried this lens on the small sun ZY-A21 ?

i wanna try putting a XML in it. still waiting for my stuff.

4

My readings are:30000lux 1meter 3 eneloops and~ 40000 lux 1meeter 4 eneloops.Current draw for 3 eneloops is 0.65A(not completely charged) and for 4 eneloop is 1.4A.

5

Thanks for resurrecting this thread, I’m considering one of these (4AA SMALL SUN ZY-A21 POLICE) from Manafont. I see that your amperage readings are a lot different than the OP’s were, he recommends using only either 4 Dry Cells or 3 Alkaline/Nimh. Does your light run OK on 4 completely charged eneloops without rapid overheating? (The batteries I will be using are Sony 1.2v 2100mAh Ni-MH Cycle Energy which are comparable to the eneloops)

6

it’s not ok,i use now only 3 eneloop!