DRY driver on steroids

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

This topic is about the driver that is found in the DRY flashlight 3xCREE XM-L T6 link

This is a extreme driver being capable to run 3 XML`s in “series” at very high current.
I has 4 modes : low, medium, high, turbo. On turbo is known to be direct drive.

I burnt the transistor after I connected it by mistake to 3 xml`s in parallel.
Not being able to find what was labeled on the original transistor I began to test it with different transistors I found on old computer motherboards.
Finally, I was happy with a transistor from Advanced Power Electronics Corp. the one labeled 85T03GH link

After installing the new transistor, the current on turbo mode was around 6,2 amps at the leds !! I used a 12v lead acid battery as a power supply. The other modes are :
Low : 0,25 A
Medium : 1,30 A
High : 3,40 A
Turbo : ~6,15 A
The mod was a succes, interesting the driver does not even get warm on turbo ! It means that with the new transistor it is also very efficient ( RDS (ON) 6mΩ )

Here is a video link for the test : DRY driver test

It seems that now, cnqualitygoods sells a different version of this driver, the board size increased from 24mm to 32mm. new dry driver

2

Sweet find. Does it deliver same amps from 18650 batteries??

3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pcs-AP85U03GH-AP-TO-252-/181029161157?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a262dc8c5

4

Awesome, thanks for that.

I wonder how the internal resistance and performance of the lead-acid battery compare to 3x li-ions in series?

5

Nice work repairing your Dry driver Borg.

So the new Dry driver might be able to be shaved down to fit the ZY-T08 (30mm). Any other lights it will fit?

6

With MCPCBs using a dielectric layer under the thermal path of the LED overdriving is pretty much useless over 3.5A. 6A is too much current for each LED unless you plan to use it for 10seconds at a time. Especially with a SLA battery which is not going be pratically empty in matter of a dozen of minutes like a 18650 cell would be at 6A

None the less good job.

The old driver is a linear driver, the new driver is a buck driver (inductor), very different things.

7

Congrats. Thanks guys. I just ordered 10 of them for $10.

8

Any idea if that one would be any good with only 3-4.2v? (and be driven by tiny13?)

9

Woah, $1 each? Link please? :slight_smile:

10

Would it be fully on even on high and what minimum pwm frequency is needed to run it in lower modes. (complete BS questions as I’m guessing about this stuff and don’t even know the right questions to ask).
A longer test in each mode with P in vs P out measurements seems indicated.

11



Some resistors were stacked, mod it with a wire, like 0 ohm.
Did the same with 3xXM-L2s in my 3xU2, a little less current draw, around 6 amps.
Nice.

12

that’s ~7A?

could make my DRY 3xmtg2 in parallel with 2+ to each?

:heart_eyes:

i remember when everyone was debating the auto step down vs no step down dry driver. I went camping last weekend (central NY) and that was a good opportunity to run it on turbo much longer than the step down time (~15F at night?)

13

Zeremefico you need to clean up your desk and brush your teeth in the shower!

;)

14

He is only 12, what do you expect … :smiley:

15

shipping $3?!? I’m pretty sure it’s going to be ship in some envelop with regular stamp :Sp

16

I have the older version of DRY driver (with two boards) in my modded Shocker and it pulls 5.12A on turbo. I did make all the springs copper braided.

17

Toothbrushes are my best cheapo tools, I am not 12 & I don’t have 3 MT-G2 to check If they can be driven in parallel with this driver.
:slight_smile:

18

The total output should be higher with 3 in parallel, the Vf will be lower since each MTG2 will be running at 1/3 the output current.

19

what do you have planned with these?

20

J)

maybe not shorting the resistors, entirely, would be safer?

i was waiting for a side switch version, but maybe i’ll own a btu shocker after all…