Reason for the pin contact in the 8A “buck” (hope it were boost-buck) driver is conductivity, as even high conductivity springs could have problems at 8A or close (with just 10mΩ of resistance a spring dissipates 0.64W as heat when 8A crosses it). Simon and/or the driver manufacturer played it safe this way, but it has drawbacks, namely for people who really need damping or shock absorbing contacts (i.e. hunters for example).
The solution, of course, are really high conductivity springs. A bypassed spring can do, but a durable spring bypass requires careful work, giving the wire a coiled shape. Problem is the contact surface under the pin of the driver, it just has the size of the pin contact and is too small, unnecessarily forcing spring modders to remove the solder mask around it.
Let me also say that, in all honesty, I think 8A is probably a bit over the top. We know the CSLPM1.TG peaked at 8A or just a hair above, and imho it's over the top for it. The wrong thing about this is we don't have any CULPM1.TG tests. So actually we still don't know how much higher is the 4040 CULPM1.TG going to peak over the 3030 CSLPM1.TG. And honestly, it's the same led, only the footprint changes. Nothing else to say, except that being able to configure a driver's output current in firmware would be a godsend.
P.S.: low voltage cut-off is overall set too high in drivers. Bear in mind that drivers don't see the actual battery voltage, they see it after it goes through springs, contacts and switch. All of this causes voltage drops, the higher the current the larger the drops; therefore, the actual cut-off ends up being at a higher voltage, namely if running in high current modes. In essence, I think driver cut-off voltages should at least drop down to 2.7 or 2.5V. After all, I've yet to see a battery complain about a low cut-off, namely when datasheets specify 2.5V (and I've seen lower).
Okay, my new finding is the M21C-U is doing fine, in fact very well, after the light has warmed up. It step down from high(100) to moon about 3.3V. This time I’m using a Vapcell T50, previously on P42A and 40T. Taking into account all factors and voltage sag. It’s about right that it step down about 3.3V on high(100) to moon.
I will test again with the P42A and 40T. Will also test with Vapcell G50 and Vapcell Red 4500mah(20A) and update here again.
Even before this finding. I love the M21C-U. It’s my most carried light for all my night walks.
Hi Simon, I can relate your points. I have some findings mentioned prior to this post.
The weird part is the step down happened when the light is cool(below 30 degC-batt below 3.8V) . Again, as above post finding, it’s all fine and good after the light has warmed up.
Anyone care to share if there’s a theory to this effect that I missed?
Found a new bug on the 17mm 5A 12 group driver. If I keep cycling through the modes, at some stage it won’t light up until another tap of the switch. I swapped out everything and it still happened, tried a second build and same thing happens.
I can’t replicate this with a fully charged cell, only a partially drained one.
Thanks, that’s good to know. Looks like Simon’s listing is with a 6A driver too. 950m definitely beats my current furthest thrower (FT03 XHP50.2 @ 735m).
I hope your Z1 doesn’t squeak like all 20pcs of mine. Careful dismantling to add lubricant that you don’t slice the orings. There is one at the rear of the head, make sure it’s in place and screw the head back on very slowly. Quite a few on BLF have sliced it
Just tested mine on a fresh charged 40T.
My Lux readings are always on the high side so probably reading at least 10% too high.
I have measured it at 5 m for 19600 Lx which equals 490 kCd (Approx. 1400m)
Taking into account a 10% error still makes it 440 kCd (Approx. 1326 m)
Lumens are measured with my Lumen tube calibrated against a Maukka calibration light, measured 1490 Lm at startup.
The hotspot of the 2mm is almost double the size of the 1mm2, which makes it a great thrower which has far better usability than the 1mm (that is a great laser like beam, but its got a very tiny hotspot.)
My L21A with WF 1mm2 and 5A driver measures 840 Lm and 22500 Lx which equals 562,5 kCd