Q8, PMS SEND TO THOSE WITH ISSUES BLF soda can light

PBWilson · March 22, 2017, 7:05pm

Tom, I can tell by your typing that you are in no shape to remain at work. My suggestion is to head straight home PRONTO!!!

Andmiller · March 22, 2017, 7:11pm

Tom E:

Proto #2 arrived, waiting for me `home . Last night on proto #1, I swapped out the 18 AWG LED wires with 16 AWG. Didn’t realize how really big 16 AWG silicone covered wire is - it’s huge! I had problems with the clearance of the solder pads on the MCPCB however. I tried assembling it anyway, but it’s not a good solution - LED’s aren’t positioned well, partially clipped now. Covering the contact pads with kapton tape avoided grounding, but I was able to measure 24A at the tail on VTC5A cells, maybe 2.5A higher than I gotten before. So, it does prove a single pair of 18 AWG wires can be improved upon.

I'll need to dremel out clearance for the solder pads. Also tried a UCLp lens, but the lens is thinner than the stock (2.25 mm UCLp, 2.9 mm stock), so once I get the reflector clearance for the wires fixed, might have to do something about the gap at the lens, in order to use a UCLp. Chris `flaslightlens.com though seems to be offering custom size UCLp’s in 2 mm or 3 mm thickness, so might be a better option to go with a 3 mm one. Previously UCLp’s were all 2.25 mm, now in his new 2 and 3 mm widths, he’s got a larger variance spec’d.

Goal is to hit 7,000 lumens

I know it’s PVC vs Silicone but they make ‘flat’ 16 guage wire: Amazon.com

teacher · March 22, 2017, 7:18pm

Tom E:

Proto #2 arrived, waiting for me `home . Last night on proto #1, I swapped out the 18 AWG LED wires with 16 AWG. Didn’t realize how really big 16 AWG silicone covered wire is - it’s huge! I had problems with the clearance of the solder pads on the MCPCB however. I tried assembling it anyway, but it’s not a good solution - LED’s aren’t positioned well, partially clipped now. Covering the contact pads with kapton tape avoided grounding, but I was able to measure 24A at the tail on VTC5A cells, maybe 2.5A higher than I gotten before. So, it does prove a single pair of 18 AWG wires can be improved upon.

I'll need to dremel out clearance for the solder pads. Also tried a UCLp lens, but the lens is thinner than the stock (2.25 mm UCLp, 2.9 mm stock), so once I get the reflector clearance for the wires fixed, might have to do something about the gap at the lens, in order to use a UCLp. Chris `flaslightlens.com though seems to be offering custom size UCLp’s in 2 mm or 3 mm thickness, so might be a better option to go with a 3 mm one. Previously UCLp’s were all 2.25 mm, now in his new 2 and 3 mm widths, he’s got a larger variance spec’d.

Goal is to hit 7,000 lumens

Good to hear Proto #2 is waiting for you on US soil. :+1:
Wow, 7000 lumens as the target goal………. amazing!!
:question: … (That sure is a weird looking “quote” above. I have no idea how that happened…………… … )

+1 PBWilson. I was getting that same vibe while reading Tom E’s post.
It might surely be best to call it a day and head on home Tom. Might need a sick day tomorrow too, just to make sure you are feeling better of course. …

Dimking · March 22, 2017, 7:54pm

Guys. Brothers. Tom E et al.

What about XP-L’s Mk2. By the time Q8 comes into production, XP-L 1 would become obsolete.

Seriously.

Screw the extra some bucks added to the price.

All men play on ten.

teacher · March 22, 2017, 7:59pm

Something to ponder maybe

Tom_E · March 22, 2017, 8:14pm

on the home, on the XPL2's - I can't agree more, but, there's varying opinions I'd expect to see from folks on the white wall tint variations XP-G3's and XPL2's have. I can live with the tint issue and extra cost, but others, probably not. A quad SRK on the white wall isn't the prettiest thing to begin with, with all the pedal patterns in the outer flood zone.

Dimking · March 22, 2017, 8:19pm

Maybe, another vote?

The_Miller · March 22, 2017, 8:21pm

hahahahaha

XPL2? Did Cree do something in a bin without the tint shift?
If IF it takes many more months (I certainly do not hope so ) we can discuss another LED, atm we are set

Tom_E · March 22, 2017, 8:25pm

+1. Risky at this point.

Dimking · March 22, 2017, 8:27pm

Okay

fuzun · March 22, 2017, 8:28pm

Hey, please add me to interest list.

Will there be Nichia version of this? And is this floody or thrower?

teacher · March 22, 2017, 8:30pm

Understood…. the main thing is “on to home today” and a “recovery day” tomorrow.

The rest can be thought about, or not; later.
First things first…….

The_Miller · March 22, 2017, 8:42pm

yes will update OP later
No Nichia in the stock Q8, one LED type, one tint.
But easy to access ledboard

BrianK · March 22, 2017, 8:39pm

I would expect it to be floody.

The_Miller · March 22, 2017, 8:43pm

oh yes, Tom will have more news soon but proto 1 did throw nice for a floody light

Tom_E · March 22, 2017, 9:12pm

Wow! Bit surprised. In side the very well packed boxes within boxes, there are two Q8's!

BrianK · March 22, 2017, 9:17pm

2x the fun! Are they identical?

The_Miller · March 22, 2017, 9:17pm

NICE! F5ing here, getting really annoyed by emails NOT from you
ANXIOUS

strango · March 22, 2017, 9:19pm

Have you checked if LEDs centered well?
as I see from the photo on the first page there were some issues with alignment on prev version.

Tom_E · March 22, 2017, 9:27pm

Oh boy, not sure where to begin. The switches appear the same, but one is an easier click (shallower), while the other is stiffer, takes a deeper push to activate. I like the shallower one myself, but always prefer easier switches. For ramping, the deeper stiffer ones are a bit annoying, I find at least.

They have the BLF Q8 logo on them, and feels like a real SS bezel. Give me a chance to look them over in the office/shop, and see bout testing them, and pics.