thats an interesting point…i dont like constant dimming, but look on the bright side, its not very noticeable at least?
Congrats!
That was quick. Could you list your process, equipment used, and maybe the steps you took? I’m really tempted, but haven’t done emitter swaps before.
Oh, right. Regulation is the other wish-list item, but somehow while working on things I never really notice the dimming until it shuts off or just before then when the battery indicator LED is flashing red. I’m happy that it has low voltage protection.
Sometimes I put it on turbo, stick the magnet to a surface, and forget about it until it shuts off.
Yeah, the more flashlights/headlamps I try, I’m finding that this is really a differentiator. It’s why some headlamps/lights are more expensive: better drivers.
Sofirn SP40 vs Convoy H1 vs Wuben H1
hm…i may be ok to live with that
phouton:Regulation is the other wish-list item
Yeah, the more flashlights/headlamps I try, I’m finding that this is really a differentiator. It’s why some headlamps/lights are more expensive: better drivers.
Sofirn SP40 vs Convoy H1 vs Wuben H1
damn that wuben looks ridiculously good…if i just put a 3500 battery in there, it would still be a straight line till the end right?
Yep
Yeah, the more flashlights/headlamps I try, I’m finding that this is really a differentiator. It’s why some headlamps/lights are more expensive: better drivers.
The Manker E03H headlamp and inexpensive Sofirn C01S are regulated, IIRC, so the regulated lights are not always more expensive.
Ironically, because the regulation on the E03H keeps the light at one of the (high, medium, low) levels, the drops are very jarring as the battery depletes, while I don’t notice the slow decline on the unregulated SP40.
phouton: MoreLumens:I started doing swaps last year. Was easier than I thought and great tutorials around here. Best way to start is with cheap lights if something goes wrong.
Just swapped SP40’s led into 5000k LH351D and here is the results.That was quick. Could you list your process, equipment used, and maybe the steps you took? I’m really tempted, but haven’t done emitter swaps before.
Well its pretty fast process. First duct tape to remove bezel, screwdriver to remove two screws that hold copper star in place where the led is. After that solder two wires off and remove star. Use alcohol to clean old thermal paste away from bottom and then you are ready to remove the led. I use caveman tactic and I just put that star onto electric stove, full power and when solder melts, I use tweezers to lift the led off. Let the star cool. Then I just add solder paste into that empty star, check new leds + and - put new led on top of that solder paste and onto the stove we go. Heat up, until solder paste melts and pulls led into place, dab led with cotton swap so excess solder comes out between led and star. Next I usually took toothpick and remove those extra solder blobs around led so centering ring will fit. After that I just wipe led and star with alcohol and put it back together.
So tools used were duct tape, screwdriver, soldering iron, soldering paste, soldering tin, tweezers, cotton swap, toothpick and electric stove.
There is a lot of led reflow tutorials with pics and even videos. My method aint perfect, but works for me.
Check this:
How to reflow solder an LED emitter on a PCB or MCPCB.That helped me and few pointers from Barkuti in some thread when I was starting messing with my lights. Led swapping is fun and can do miracles for your old lights that you havent been using because bad tints, bad beams etc. and bring them back in life and use with a bit of updating.
Post of the month right there. :+1:
Thanks for including all the details. It makes a difference for someone who’s never done it before.
In addition to sourcing the emitter, I would need to get some solder paste (most seem to have 1-2 year shelf life and suggest keeping refrigerated) and decide on a pan to sacrifice for this purpose. Sooner or later I just know I have to try this…
I just reviewed the Wuben H1. It’s worth looking into. The primary LED isn’t warm, though I wouldn’t call it cool… perhaps just north of 5000K? Also has a floody, warm aux (high CRI) white LED for those times when you really need a gentle, warm light. “Sale” (?) price is $33
It ranks right up there with my customized Convoy H1
Looks pretty good!
I'm having trouble deciding on what to get...
The Wuben H1 is on sale at amazon.com right now, by the way.
gchart:I just reviewed the Wuben H1. It’s worth looking into. The primary LED isn’t warm, though I wouldn’t call it cool… perhaps just north of 5000K? Also has a floody, warm aux (high CRI) white LED for those times when you really need a gentle, warm light. “Sale” (?) price is $33
It ranks right up there with my customized Convoy H1
Looks pretty good!
I’m having trouble deciding on what to get…
The Wuben H1 is on sale at amazon.com right now, by the way.
its actually cheaper on BG with preorder price, but it just takes longer to get here lol
its actually cheaper on BG with preorder price, but it just takes longer to get here lol
Banggood charges shipping, and Amazon doesn't.
Plus, Amazon has a 15% off or 20% off coupon.
(Amazon is cheaper if you do the 20% off coupon.)
Also, returns and customer service are much better with Amazon, so even if BG were a dollar or two cheaper, I'd go with Amazon.
niajef:its actually cheaper on BG with preorder price, but it just takes longer to get here lol
Banggood charges shipping, and Amazon doesn’t.
Plus, Amazon has a 15% off or 20% off coupon.
(Amazon is cheaper if you do the 20% off coupon.)
Also, returns and customer service are much better with Amazon, so even if BG is a dollar or two cheaper, I’d go with Amazon.
oh then amazon.com is def better for u, unfortunately im .ca
oh then amazon.com is def better for u, unfortunately im .ca
Yikes!
That's about $36USD
amazon.ca really seems to have worse prices than amazon.com (in my limited experience)
niajef:oh then amazon.com is def better for u, unfortunately im .ca
Yikes!
That’s about $36USD
amazon.ca really seems to have worse prices than amazon.com (in my limited experience)
significantly, in every almost case. the only time we get some perks is if they listed a new product in USD, but we buy it in CAD. thats about it. lol, we have less selection, higher prices. such a scam
Wow, $32 with 15% off? That’s a pretty legit deal. If I didn’t already own it, I’d be all over that. I didn’t even realize they had it on their Amazon store. You could do much worse for $28 IMHO.
Wow, $32 with 15% off? That’s a pretty legit deal. If I didn’t already own it, I’d be all over that. I didn’t even realize they had it on their Amazon store. You could do much worse for $28 IMHO.
ya if i didnt have to pay import fees, id be all over that too…
Wow, $32 with 15% off?
There's actually two listings.
One offers 15% off, and the other is 20% off.
That's about $25.60 before tax.
gchart:Wow, $32 with 15% off?
There’s actually two listings.
One offers 15% off, and the other is 20% off.
That’s about $25.60 before tax.
whats the difference between the 2?
whats the difference between the 2?
Good question.
They look the same to me.