The There Are No Stupid Questions Thread

Looking to try to “spring bypass” the tail switch in my Thorfire TG06S with a copper braid solder wick as an experiment. Do I go to the center of the switch board (exposed contact) or the base of the spring? Thank you.

Either will work, but I recommend the base of the spring as that encourages it to bend evenly. Silicone wire is also better than braid in this regard. Braid tends to break down over time.

So then would it always be better to use a TIR lens with a bigger fitment over a led, instead of finding a TIR lens that fits “just right” on a led?

It’s not a straight swap, because the 6v will fry the processor on the driver.

Do a search for “zener-mod” and you will get a lot of results. You basically have to add a couple parts to the driver that reduces the voltage for the mcu.

Thanks pilotdog68

Not if it goes swimming around in the lens, off-center.

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Not if it goes swimming around in the lens, off-center.
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Got it, that makes sense. Well now I know what type of TIRs to fit with xp/xm centering rings. Thanks for your input LB.

Just to expound on that a bit, ideally, you want the LED that’s recommended by the mfr of the lens. Think it’s LEDsupply that actually has efficiency charts of how various LED chips fare through the lens in question, so they’re designed for a certain geometry, and how the LED emits light (spread, stray light emitted from the sides, etc.) will all have a bearing on the overall system of LED+lens.

Using a lens designed for an XP-E/-E2 (XP footprint, small E-size chip) really shouldn’t be used for an XP-L if you can help it, as light from the corners of the L is farther off-center than from the corners of an E.

On the other hand, a lens designed to work nicely with an XP-L should have no difficulty dealing with an XP-E.

That’s why a teeny LED chip in a big reflector’s sweet-spot can give a way tighter focus than, say, a larger filament from a hotwire bulb. And that’s why with a bulb, you’ll typically get that football- or pacman-shaped hotspot on the wall.

That was my question in the first place. Maybe I should’ve phrased it differently. So you should keep with the manufacturer’s suggested led for the TIR lens, which is obvious. In the event that you don’t, since I can’t always find TIR lens to fit certain lights due to the available sizes, then make sure the led is centered but don’t expect the “optimum” beam. But I’m guessing though as long as the beam is pleasing to the eye, it should be fine even though it’s not optimum/efficient.

I know it’s easier to use the reflector I got with the light but I like the way TIR optics look over reflectors. I think it’s because it’s harder to notice flaws/dirt on a TIR than a reflector. Also, TIR optics usually gives me better looking beams, e.g. gets rid of crosses in beams, less tint shift, etc.

I’ve been pushing TIRs for a while, so…

Hi.
I read and watch a lot of user’s reviews about many companie’s products, and take a position. However, I didn’t get an idea of some, particularly about the Armytek, because they have a lot of ardent admirers and convinced opponents. Any feedback about it’s products?

For cells with built in charging (the 18650/700s you plug a micro USB into at the top)

Can they be charged in a regular charger?

Thanks.

not sure what you mean by regular charger, but I have used my iphone charger to charger micro usb 16340, and a kindle fire charger on 18650. I think they both are 5v output, so may take awhile on 18650, maybe need higher output charger so it doesnt take 8 hours. I know if I try to charge a powerbank that is basically 2 18650s in a case I need stronger ipad(12 watt)charger.

my stupid/not stupid question is does everyone get logged out of this forum after about 2 weeks? This is the only forum I have to relog into evry 1-2 weeks, others have me signed on for infinity it seems

I’m asking if the cell can be placed in a regular charger (like a Miboxer or Xtar etc.) instead of using the USB input.

oh, gotcha, yes you can.

@Blackbeard, I have never been logged out of my phone after 2 months.

I think BLF might log you out if you’ve been away for more than a day or two. I seem to stay logged in as long as I’m reading BLF every day, but if I’m too busy to do that, I get logged out after a couple of days.

Thanks. Looked at a lot of listings online and none of them explicitly said either way.

Considering Tungsten is a far more common heavy element distributed throughout our Galaxy, the majority of other flashlight using civilizations are probably more than content with incandescent “Hotwire” designs for their portable illumination needs...