D.I.Y. Illuminated tailcap

Yes, the reverse press works as it should along with all the other functions. I kept experimenting with different bleeder resistors until I found the right value.

Got a few yesterday and they do work with the Biscotti driver and the BLF A6 driver as well, but it enables the next mode memory on those drivers.

Are you sure?
without bleeder resistor on driver it works with 3/5 fw but for BLF A6 and Biscotti it turns the driver next mode memory for me in all cases. So for biscotti I always use bleeder.

Just tested again and you are correct. It enabled the next mode memory on both the A6 and Biscotti driver. I will edit my previous post.

…the blf x5 and x6 came with this lighted tailcap and bistro driver but in fact the lighted tail works easier with the older blf-a6 driver that was never tuned for it. Essential for working without endless tuning of resistors is a single and high Vf emitter, like the XP-L Hi that was in the X5/X6 lights. Using it in a triple and/or with a low Vf led like the 219c or XP-L2 means trouble with resistor values, but the blf-a6 driver can be tuned well with some effort (the bistro driver that has the Attiny25 is quite hopeless and you end up with a very dim tail light).

Newer Bistro HD OTSM drivers have no problem with tail cap lights at all

Also LED ring boards replacing the washer help a lot

My observations are with the standard Banggood drivers, and with a bistro-driver from Richard that I bought a year ago.

Here’s the Astrolux lighted switch set: 2LED 17mm DIY Lighting Switch Set For Astrolux SS/SC/S2/S3/BLF X5 X6 LED Flashlight.

Convoy version

https://www.fasttech.com/products/9627747

Hi Nicolicous,

Looks very nice!

What parts did you use?

I have a lumintop tool aa in the mail, looking forward to build a illuminated tailcap for it.

Not sure how though… Pictures or parts would be great!
You use stock driver?

Pilotdog and myself have made those ring boards
I added balance resistors to it so it can have 6 different LEDs
Lighted tail switch board replacing the washer around the switch


For the exampke pink and warm white, other combinations possible the board with balance resistors could use more than 2 different colors

16mm

17mm
https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/yplKNhqL

with balance resistors
16mm

17mm
https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/aqiAxQx1
20mm
https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/fWtrkfax

Thanx Lexel. Can I sand these dowm to fit the Tool AA you think? Is it possible to populate only 2 leds?

And will it work with your 15mm driver without enabling next mode memory?

Just using two of the leds is no problem.
You may be the first to try it in the Tool AA, let us know your findings! :slight_smile:

Without measurements on Tool tailvap and switch no way knowing if it fits

You can populate 1 to 6 LEDs

For those that are fans of the Generation 1 lighted switch, here’s something to consider when installing your switch. The washer is essentially a diffuser for the switch LEDs. The clearer the washer, the more light that can pass thru, but also shows more artifacts (outline of the switch and the position of the LEDs). Less transparent the washer, less light, but a more uniform illumination of the tailcap.

I initially used the Home Depot washer from the link in the OP (left picture below): 5/16 in. Nylon Washer (3-Piece per Pack). I had to sand down the perimeter to make it fit in the Convoy S2+ and the hole was too big for the Omten switch so I filled the gap with a smaller washer that I also sanded down. When installed it looked good, but it seemed to block too much light from the LEDs and looked a little dull. So I made some washers from some plastic items I had in my workroom.

Here are some of the washers on the switch (left is the Home Depot washer).

And here’s how they look in the flashlight. Please notice (and I tried to take the pictures to show this) that the left is less bright and a little dull, but uniformly lights the tailcap. The middle is bright and crisp, but definitely shows some artifacts. And the right is a good compromise.

The clear washer and the semitransparent washer had the same effect in the tailcap. I then sanded 1 side of the semitransparent washer, and then both sides, but that still wasn’t enough to adequately defuse the light. So I sanded down 2 washers to make them thinner and stacked them. I’m pleased with the final result.

Thanks for the nice comparison NeutralFan!

Because the classic lighted tail set is for sale, it is attractive for people who do not solder to build this version. Fiddling with the washers is something within reach of almost everyone :slight_smile:

I could use a few of those. 3 Convoys & an Astrolux. PM me ?

To prevent confusion, they are for the Convoys with the metal tailcap, the early ones came with a black waterproofing silicon seal inside the switch that would not let light through. For well more than a year the S2+ already comes with a transparent seal. I have a stash of transparent seals for who still has the old S2+ with black seal and want to build a lighted tail for them.

I did this a long time ago. I have to pull them apart and tell u on weekend.

From memory, i had to trial and error with different types of resistors to get the LED lid evenly without affecting the driver and i didnt have to use bleeder resistor.

@djozz, never mind. No S2+’s. thanks