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 it’s 100% fuctional.
After getting it working, I decided to reflow XP-L HI v3 3c to replace the 219c. Recharging also works…the 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 won’t be doing a reflow though the 219C’s are cooler than I’d like but still hi-CRI.
I will also be doing a Lexel driver upgrade to provide a much needed UI improvement, can’t wait.
I pushed the driver out from the top…poking 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 shouldn’t 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 Q8’s 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 didn’t have the internal notch cut out. Now it’s more to my liking and I don’t 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 doesn’t affect much on how I use the light. The only thing I wish is to know when the battery’s fully charged.
Lexel - I know it will become more evident once I open ’er up and trace the wire paths but if I understand correctly -
(a) for the new Narsil driver board I must disconnect the old MCU regardless and
(b) connect existing switch wires to “S and G” at location SW on the new Board. Will that allow the MCU Indicator to show on the old switch LEDs or light where?
Toykeeper - that low-drain Q8 button options sounds fantastic. If it isn’t already, it should become the norm. I will read up on it and try to see if/where/I can apply it.
Puglife - that’s a dramatic impact. Hope the warm tint doesn’t affect the beer.
JetBeam E20R running NarsilM + Rechargeable MicroUSB Charging, working perfectly.
It’s a tough fight (lots of swearing involved) The bezel is glued tight with blue stuff, got it off with a lot of heat from my butane torch, and bicycle inner tube for grip.
Sorry, no photos of the build process.
Dedomed XP-G2, 800lm, 24kcd with fully charged efest purple 18350.