Iâm a bit disappointed about it: apart from a nice efficient output a high setting, what is very attractive about a 7-led 26650 non-PWM light is extreme efficiency at the low modes and thus extreme runtime. To discover that my BLF-A6 (12mA at a 4 lumen mode) does a 6 times better job at that being quite a bit smaller and lightweight with a smaller battery is a bummerâŠ
Yeah, thatâs strange since it has been measured with low current earlier. Perhaps DQQ used some wrong electronic component later without noticing this or our drivers are damaged. If I recall correctly I tried a resistor mod with this light which I removed later. And I replaced the switch. Will have a closer look at the driver if I find the time.
Finally got the TA driver from Lexel working with my Astrolux S42. It was quite tricky to get everything apart and put the new parts together, but itâs 100% fuctional.
After getting it working, I decided to reflow XP-L HI v3 3c to replace the 219c. Recharging also worksâŠthe only thing not working is the power LED which i did not want anyways. Drawing over 1̶3̶A̶ 14.5A with a full VTC6 and 16.8A with VTC5A at the tail with the new setup with Nasil firmware.
My S42 is sitting on the desk waiting for arrival of a replacement optic (pins broke early on). I wonât be doing a reflow though the 219Câs are cooler than Iâd like but still hi-CRI.
I will also be doing a Lexel driver upgrade to provide a much needed UI improvement, canât wait.
I pushed the driver out from the topâŠpoking thu the lead hole. Then desolder the brass supports and all the wires and put it back together. Lexel helped me with the steps when I had issues. I also disconnected the old MCU to get rid of the breathing mode.
It was my first time upgrading a driver with charging so it was tricky for me. Doing it again shouldnât take too long lol.
FWIW, I measured dragon breath mode on another light by the same people, and it used about 3 to 5 mA just to light up the button.
My Q8âs button is just as bright and runs at 0.1 mA on high mode (or ~0.03 mA on low mode).
On a 3000mAh cell, that means the runtime for button-glow mode would be about a month in dragon breath mode, versus about 3 to 11 years on a Q8-style lighted e-switch. In case that affects your decision.
I changed the switch on my Sofirn SF14 from forward clicky to reverse clicky. Simple procedure, changed the switch board and replaced the rubber tailcap with one that didnât have the internal notch cut out. Now itâs more to my liking and I donât have the weird single forward clicky in my collection
better disconnect the old MCU, if you want lighted switch
I have on the new board 2 LED outputs one from the MCU indicator and one permanently on battery voltage, both with resistor pad for the LEDs
Still not understanding what that means but it sounds like it doesnât affect much on how I use the light. The only thing I wish is to know when the batteryâs fully charged.