9A max but that’s not what I’m getting on the ones I received from Convoy
I’m starting to feel that Convoy has a badly reflowed batch of CULPM1 chips or these just have a lot difference between each.
4 chips
led 1 - 7A - 1135
led 2 - 7A - 1300
led 3 - 7A - 1250
led 4 - 6.4A - 1320, 7A - 1280
very strange.
Have you described your testing process in detail? If you are trying to get down to that level of precision you should work those details out too.
I’m just using Convoy’s ramping driver
Top three were in the L21A, bottom one in the C8+ , the only difference in the setup is the L21A tail switch. It’s a fet driver so I do understand it’s not going to be the same across all leds but should it be that much? I’ve never had it vary so much on other models using the same springs and batteries
In that case I think there are a bit too many variables to get more than a rough average which I think you succeeded in. Certainly not enough precision to worry about reflow though.
Unless you use a power supply and heavy duty heatsink combined with more consistent measure like bare LED using lux not lumens. This is why djozz and others get so burnt out doing it. That level of detail necessary is a pain in the butt.
Sorry?
What is a FET driver?
As far as I understand, what is considered a (MOS)FET driver is a sort of very simple driver basically consisting of a switch and an MCU. These drivers are unregulated and the only way to obtain modes with them is to use the dreaded PWM (pulse width modulation). To attain regulation the flow of current must be sensed, this is done in a current sense resistor, usually a big sized, ultra-low value resistor in the periphery of the driver board:
A 1206 imperial R005 in this one.
So, technically speaking this is not a “FET” driver. These drivers are regulated, they make use of the voltage they sense via their sense resistor to trigger events in their MCU, that is, they use such information to drive the MOSFET gate so the required amount of current goes through the sense resistor (i.e. they open the switch “just enough”).
Ah, okay. I appreciate the correction. I struggle quite a bit to understand how components work when it’s something new in writing, I learn best visually.
Now I realize that the driver I’m after is one that has stabilization, would that be constant current or something else? What we see usually on boost drivers.
I loved these kind of conversation - it easily grab good information…I actually read up all Barkuti comment and had full understanding…Make sense!
I understand everything apart from the maths haha.
I had a stabilized output in my thinking which is different so now I understand regulation more now
My latest chart on the OSRAM's. If anyone can verify, change, or fill in blanks, please do so.
OSRAM LED’s for max throw
Color - Part # - footprint (LED surface) nickname Max/Pulsed Peak Output (A)
White – KW CSLNM1.TG – 3030 (1mm²) W1 3/3.3A 4.5-5.0 A (W1/NM1)
White – KW CSLPM1.TG – 3030 (2mm²) W2 5/6A 7.0-8.0 A (W2/PM1)
White – KW CULNM1.TG – 4040 (1mm²) W2.1 3.3/4A ~6A (Boost HL)
White – KW CULPM1.TG – 4040 (2mm²) W2.2 6.6/8A 9 A (Boost HX)
Red – KR CSLNM1.23 – 3030 (1mm²) W1
Blue – KB CSLNM1.14 – 3030 (1mm²) W1
Green – KP CSLNM1.F1 – 3030 (1mm²) W1 3/4A 6.5 – 7.0 A
Green – KP CSLPM1.F1 – 3030 (2mm²) W1
Yellow – KY CSLNM1.FY - 3030 (1mm²) W1
More OSRAM Website links
Clear and simple. Thanks Tom!
Tom E, you may want to fix the nicknames back there: if the NM1 and PM1 are Wn, where n = die area in mm², then the Boost HL and HX which are their bigger footprint counterparts should be dubbed Wn.something, W1+ for the KW CULNM1.TG and W2+ for the KW CULPM1.TG, for example. You could also add some proper, simple surnames to the color variants for the sake of simplicity (just remember that the pure green is the phosphor converted green, with some CRI, despite being listed with a narrow frequency window versus the true green).
Just a suggestion. 
It’s a small indutance value of 0.47uH, the smaller the inductance the smaller the DCR usually, which is another reason you want a small inductance value in such small place, to actually minimize DCR at high currents.
Still it is small inductor, low profile, I cannot imagine constant current at 8A, for lower currents like 3A surely no problems. I would like to see a review with a flashlight, without artificial active cooling.
Otherwise it seems to look good for example appears like a couple of external FETs rather than integrated into the switching IC.
Sorry, going with Hank's K1 conventions for nick naming these things - https://intl-outdoor.com/k1-21700-thrower-led-flashlight.html.
Don't think it's the best, but thought Hank was following other conventions.
I'm keeping this is a Word docx file for now. Will make it public when it's more finalized. I've learned a few things since putting this together. The different flavors always had me confused somewhat. For white, looks like the Boost HL and Boost HX are making the old W1 and W2's obsolete, except for the pricing.
Hank's convention seems to be Wm.n, where m is footprint (1 = 3030, 2 = 4040) and n is die size in mm².
Honestly, I still :-) prefer the manufacturer's name; can't go wrong with it.
The 3030 emitters obsolete? I don't think so. As far as I am aware there basically is only one test done of the white flat 1mm² (Reflow conditions tested of Osram KW CSLNM1-KW (White Flat 1mm2)), and even less about the 2mm² (here), both in 3030 footprint.
In all honesty, I find hardly believable that going from 3030 to 4040 footprint can provide much of a performance gain for emitters so small die size wise. And mind you, there are 0 actual tests of the 4040 emitters; just a lot of gossip. A good emitter bin can make a much bigger difference in practice.
In any case let me tell you these are being sold fairly expensive right now, in my opinion of course. And you know why.
Not my cup of tea, in all honesty. 
Gossip? Hank has #'s for his K1. I received yesterday 2 K1 drivers and 1 Boost HL on a 32 mm 4040 MCPCB. Not sure yet where it's gonna go though - think'n of a BOSS1 (100 mm head diam reflector light). I'm not setup or have the time for testing the LED though.
I couldn’t achieve over 1318 lumens (30s) driven to 8A, 7A was 5 lumens lower. Barely any gain over the W2
Do you mean Boost HX? the 2mm^2 version?
The Boost HL is the KW CULNM1.TG, what Hank calls the W2.1, he rates at 650 kcd in the K1.
The Boost HX is the KW CULPM1.TG, what Hank calls the W2.2, he rates at 600 kcd in the K1.
Not sure why you think I might have that wrong. The one I received is a small square LED surface on a 4040 MCPCB, so really can only be the Boost HL, which apparently beats the Boost HX in throw in the K1. Not to say the amps are properly maximized, but I don't think Hank will make claims of kcd without measuring it.
You are talking about a Boost HX, not Boost HL, is that right? I have a Boost HL - it beats the Boost HX in the stock K1 (650 kcd for the HL, 600 kcd for the HX).
Boost HL is the smaller square dye, while the HX is the bigger rectangular dye.
I see - looks like Simon only sells the Boost HX, not the Boost HL. With Hank in the K1 you have a choice of either (and if you ask patiently, he may sell you a mounted LED, whichever one you request 
).