Sofirn SP36, impressions of a sample

I would buy a XPL-Hi version of the SP36

This is with the large BeCu springs installed, extra solder added on screw hole mounts:

NO-OX-ID treatment on contact surfaces:

Finally got the driver out, no damage. This is first attempts with solder joint breaking:

Got it off with just one end of the wire soldered, wrapping the wire around the screwdriver and pulling:

This is a whole lot of adhesive, way too much:

It does seem to soften with heat I noticed, so probably would have been easier pre-heating:

Nice view of the driver. Those stripped traces are a little strange. Looks like the same FET in the Q8. Extra circuitry for the USB-C charging:

Inside of pill showing the screws:

I would purchase one at or below 5000K. I lean more toward 3500k to 4000k as my favorite but 5000k would be a great start.

Congratulations Tom, that is a whole lot of glue alright!
The driver looks like the neat version of my prototype driver.

Can someone please give me some hints what this red material (marked with the red arrow) is about, what it is good for and where to buy it for DIY-projects?

(I don’t know what it is but it looks good) Can I have what he’s having? :smiley:

I saw this red stuff (looks like tomato ketchup :-D ) also on the C8F driver. I'm curious about it.

https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-GLPT-Insulating-Varnish/dp/B00S4H8V1Q

For the thinner wires, I can understand - adds support to remove strain and keep the wires from breaking or strands splitting. Also good for preventing shorts - excellent application because I've seen these small gauge wire solder joints fail before. The red stuff is also used on the back of the switch PCB for the wire solder joints there, btw... It can be a PITA when those short or break.

For that 2P2/2R2 part, maybe electrical isolation (short prevention) or perhaps thermal usage.

I dunno about where to buy, but perhaps later I can get confirmation from an EE on all this. We most likely have stuff like this here at work, but right now our tech position is vacant.

Thank you! That's a good starting point.

Yep, that appears to be the stuff! MG Chemicals is high qual. I've used their stuff before. Interesting Sofirn did things by the book here, or even beyond with extra care. That big part I'm pretty sure is used for the charging circuit, so from my experiences in blowing up (ahh, attempting repairs) chargers, I'd say this type of thing is commonly used in charging circuits, and there is a bit of juice going through these parts. The description of the red varnish is more for electrical use (arc prevention) rather than heat - dunno how that applies to that part.

The big part seems a coil to me, I guess it is needed to change the USB voltage to the battery voltage.

any group buy preparing? Or special codes?

I used this code back on Dec 31st at BG: M**** great price (best), but forgot where I got the code or if it's still good -- think from Martin? Problem is BG is saying backorder til Jan 28th

Please don’t post codes online.

Some unscrupulous people will take the code, and post it somewhere else.

Just pm'ed kajman with the code and price -- best price and the code is still working!!

Just not in stock til end of Jan....

That sounds like a nice upgrade from the cool white version. XP-L2 and XP-G3 both have a pretty strong rainbow effect though, where different parts of the beam are very different colors. People typically prefer something with a more consistent beam color, like XP-L HI or LH351D.

[quote=ToyKeeper]

+++1 !!!

XPL HI V2 5D and LH351D 4000K 90+ CRI. I think the XPL HI 5D is the best tint and beam there is right now, but that's me.

+1 for the XPL HI 5D

Please Sir, no more soup, but can some kind soul pm me the promo code and special price?

(Who needs food when you can have lumen overload! ) :stuck_out_tongue: