Ran into a strange problem with driver build this weekend... Ideas?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

I needed a better driver for my Convoy S12, just felt underdriven and I did not like the mode spacing. I had a couple of PilotDog’s Double Down driver boards and a Fet+1 kit from Mountain with an mcu with Bistro. Got it all built and it tested fine on the bench with a single XM-L for load. Great… not. I put it all together and fired it up and found there were issues. The light worked great until I hit full FET and things got crazy really quickly. It appeared the heat caused the driver to stop mode reversing and in fact caused a constant feeling of tons of medium presses. The light would end up in setup on its own, so think 15 half presses. Sounded like an OTC cap issue, pulled it down removed and resoldered cap. Now, I think the cap is dead, no mode reversing. Other than by the ghost in the light!

I am going to have to reflash the driver to tone down the top end, was pulling over 14 amps with 3 219C’s. Did not cook any, but do not want to do that again. Seems to me that there was an issue with heat and the old A6 driver? Or was it to much current and instabilities in the mcu? So many threads on that driver, could not find what I was looking for… so asking here.

BTW, did not use an Rgate. I was not sure what value to use in a 1S driver and it should not be needed for this build.

Also, HOLY CRAP 3 219C’s at 14 amps will make some light! :slight_smile: I want about 9 amps in the end.

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My blf a6 se basically loses reverse mode when it gets hot enough

Letting it cool down, the reverse modes work again

I hardly ever use reverse modes so it doesnt matter for me

If yr light gets reverse modes back after cooling it might be the same issue, if not then its something else

Mine never ends up in setup on its ownp

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I did not get reverse modes back. I suspect to much soldering iron heat after the remove and remount. I pulled it to see if the light acted normally… will not turn on without it.