Help me get the right driver

Buy / Sell Want to Buy
1

I’m ready to buy a driver for a project I’m working on. I’m having trouble finding what I’m looking for. Here are the specs I require at this point:

  • 3A total output to multiple LEDs in parallel
  • Series cells only, I won’t use single cell (at least 8.4v input capable)
  • E-switch
  • mode selection:
  1. low - 1% to 5% (I’m flexible)
  2. med - 20% or so (I’m flexible)
  3. hi - 50% or so (I’m flexible)
  4. turbo - 100% and takes a special press such as double-click or long press
  5. strobe - takes a special press such as double-click or long press
  • Last mode memory so it can be turned on/off at any of the three basic levels (not turbo or strobe).
  • Turbo does not need a step-down or a time-out. But it should not be part of mode memory or the normal mode cycling.

If I think of anything else, I will update this thread, but that’s it for now. If you can think of any other considerations I need to make, let me know. I’ve searched this forum and looked at what Mountain Electronics has to offer, but I haven’t found what I’m looking for. Maybe it’s here and I’ve missed it. I’m still not very knowledgeable about drivers yet. I would like to buy a few of these, so minimum order requirement is not a problem unless it is huge or the price per each is high. If someone could point me in the right direction, I would be most grateful!

2

Buck drivers that put out 3A are not common, that I know...

(the new driver in the Eagle Eye group buy is capable of 3A, it has the big thoroid but it has not been tested on series batteries)

3

Maybe that’s why I can’t seem to find one! There actually are some 2-cell capable 3A drivers at Mountain Electronics, but they don’t have strobe. I know most people on here seem to detest strobe, but I’d like to have it as a (hidden) option. My requested mode spacing is a bit uncommon as well.

4

The most important factors here: Driver diameter and depth. Let us know what we're working with, and we can probably find a workable driver for 3A.

5

Thanks, Richard. I don’t know what my host size will be yet, but the one I’m looking at now has 20mm diameter driver. The depth, I don’t know, as I don’t have a caliper, but I’d guess I can get up to 6mm in the hollow pill. The LEDs won’t be in the pill, as the one is now, so that space is up for grabs. If it comes down to it, I can drop the strobe mode. I know there are 2-cell drivers available without strobe at your store. But, I’d like to have it if I can get it.

6

I was gonna point to this thread but you got it already David Buck driver design - component selection example

If we can have a programmable buck that does >6a. That would be the go to driver for me too! :slight_smile:

7

Just an FYI my driver is huge, even the most compact I was able to make it is still 22mm and 2 layer (and in that config requires physical power cut-off, the electronic power cut-off components will NOT fit), the big thing is the Inductor, to get the needed inductance requires a 10x12 package.

8

Well, if I have to, I’ll get a different host that the driver will fit in.

9

Lol I like your way of thinking!

10

I guess I need to relax the need for a series-cell configuration. I might have to mod something to get my cells to be connected all in parallel. That being the case, what driver should I get to cover the rest of the items in my OP? Also, the 100% mode could be either a special-press-to-activate or a turbo mode with step-down. I want to discourage using it much.

11

> I’ll get a different host that the driver will fit in.

After all, that’s the important part.