Please note that I have revised the manual once again, see updated post #7333. Both German and English manuals have been updated on the sharepoint as well, see link in the OP of this thread.
I decided to include those additional information on the Muggle mode as I was able get some additional room while revising the layout again.
I really hope we're done now and Sofirn can use the final version "2019-10-05" for the print job that will enable every customer as of batch #2 to have the correct manual of the LT1 lantern. I will now start checking the text that Sofirn will be using for Amazon US/DE as they want to list the LT1 very soon. BLF member fneuf has kindly offered his/her help to translating the manual into French language. I will check with Barry on Monday if there's enough time left but it appears we have about 2 weeks left until batch #2 starts with production. I guess we've all learned that it's always a good idea to start working on the manual sooner than later. ;-)
Once again, thanks to all people involved into this great project and special thanks to all BLF members that helped to get the manual ready in time. :THUMBS-UP: :BEER:
Now, I hope I can stop bugging you guys with boring stuff about the manual. Thanks for your patience. :-)
I missed several pages of posts while on vacation, but somewhere along the line I thought I saw a post saying that the second batch of lights would have slightly different firmware. Am I imagining that or is that true? which post was that described in?
So, when we receive our LT1 we will be able to tell if we have first batch, second batchâŠ. by the date on the last page of the printed manual that will come with it?
Looking at the official YouTube video, Iâd like to understand a bit more about the charging. It sounds like a charger which isnât capable of delivering 1.5A may get a bit hot unless you desolder a couple of the points inside, as shown.
I donât mind so much about the excess heat per se, but if I plan on mainly recharging this using a 8w solar panel, which will deliver 1W at best, am I going to get more recharging efficiency by desoldering?
My experience with solar charging suggests that you are unlikely to have an issue with overheating of the charging circuit in the panel - it simply wonât produce enough power to do that. (Although, sitting in hot sun on a summerâs day doesnât help.)
In theory, there is a chance that too much âloadâ may cause the panel voltage to collapse but Iâve never noted that happening with my panels. The built-in USB regulator perhaps prevents that? Even my little 7W Goal Zero still manages its full output into power banks that draw much more than that from a mains adaptor.
Den noted a small charge going in (140mA?) when charging the lantern from solar on an overcast day, so the circuit seems designed to just take what it can get.
I guess the only way to know for sure would be to do some tests with a USB power meter, solar panel and soldering iron.
Letâs hope someone with a better understanding of the electronics behind these things can chime in.
I agree with gadabout, I doubt youâll see overheating of your solar panel unitâs voltage regulator. Iâm not sure the adjustability between 0.75A and 1.5A is all that useful with the present design, but it is something DBSAR wanted as a capability for lower power solar panels. Hopefully he will chime in with the details as to why, as Iâm curious also.