[Review] Astrolux S42 4xNichia 219C Rechargeable Mini LED Flashlight supplied by Banggood

It looks like it has a 1% tolerance, so it could charge up to a max of 2.42v, a bit high for my liking but not totally unacceptable. About what most cheap chargers out there do and getting a better chip would add a lot of cost.

If anyone knows of a better chip like this, please let me know. Otherwise I will look into this chip a bit deeper and see if I can just remake the charging circuit from scratch. It says the chip itself has a very low parasitic drain.

I’m curious about the Astrolux S42 (Nichia 219C) compared to the Astrolux S41 (Nichia 219B) — any idae if using the same 18650 and setting to turbo mode, would their light output be similar? Or are the 2 have different drivers (the have the same BLF A6 UI, except the S42 uses a side e-switch?)

I measured here with very thick cables on my mod 18A on a fresh 18650 cell

Just got mine today, great little light but the UI really is quite annoying. Would definitely be interested in an upgraded driver!

I was just curious. Did you do any work with HaikeLite to help improve their drivers? They are saying their MT09R and recent versions of the MT03 are using a new TA based FET driver, but their own UI. I didn’t know if you assisted them or if they just “borrowed” your driver design.

Kinda sorta. They did ask me if they could use the design in their lights and I offered to help them but they decided to do it on their own and use custom firmware. Why, I have no idea.

I then got a message the other day asking for some kind of help with the drivers, so I am not real sure what is going on with them at the moment. I am hoping that I can talk them into using Narsil at least.

Finally heard back from Banggood on the S42 so I could start work on the driver. They want to use the LY4057 charging circuit which looks like it will work.

Got the main driver almost laid out, then start work on the charging pcb. I am not sure what footprint the USB connector is, still got to track that down.

Tell them how much a success narsil was on the Q8. I’m sure it would increase sales. It’s like a factory custom light. What could I do to mod it? Nothing! Lol

Well, if people were to start contacting them asking for Narsil to be used with the drivers it sure would help the chances of it being used.

Tell them I am happy to help them get it working, they have seemed hesitant to use outside help for some reason.

Narsil would be amazing, hope they are reading this thread?

+1 for narsil.

Hey guys, let’s go to this thread and tell Haikelite directly that we would like to see them using NarsilM on their TA based drivers.

~~https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/47515/53~~

Oops, posted in wrong thread.

Astolux lights are manufactured by Matemineco!

Certain ones, but not all.

the S42 is not manufactured by HaikeLight nor will they build a driver for it

Yes, that would work really well as a UI on this light. Like a mini-Q8.

I updated the OP with my NarsilM replacement driver which accepts the USB piggyback board

Can you guys give me a little help? When I switch to Group 2, I only get 4 modes (Low,Med2,High1,High2) and I can’t get to turbo. I want to be able to enable memory so I can start at Turbo mode instead of having to cycle through each mode in Group 1.

Mode group 2 only supports those 4 modes. You don’t have access to turbo in that group. You’ll have to use the default mode group 1 if you want turbo. But, then you don’t get mode memory.

This light has a really weird UI. I’m making my own driver for it.

Lexel, you use the charger circuit that comes with the S42 on your mod? I’m considering making my own with MCP73831, but maybe it’s not needed if the S42 charger circuit is good enough?

I did lift old MCU so charger LEDs dont work anymore. but the charger itself stays connected with the rod and charges

TA made a design with new charging board