Review: Balder SE-2 [ better regulated version ] XM-L 1x18650

I just checked the stock status there are only 2 CW, and 1 NW left in stock. Are you trying to buy more than 1 NW version perhaps? I can't imagine why you'd get a backordered message otherwise... Anyways, I don't want to detract from the review thread, if you have any questions or problems please send me a PM or email through the site thanks.

Ok , after a few requests I have just completed a runtime test to see how long the light remains in regulation :

Apparently there was some question of how long the light remains in regulation : = 50 Minutes on a Sanyo 2600

Now if you look close enough at the pictures you will see the light is sitting in Water [ yes - water cooling ]

How ever all is not a bed of roses unfortunately .

After some 18minutes , the light strobe'd and continued to do so once every minute for another 32minutes of fully regulated output ...

After 50 minutes the output dropped very quickly and the light was doing 200 @ 51minutes and about 100 15 seconds latter . Batt voltage was 3.5v when I removed the battery .

I dare say , the SE-2 may need some more work ...

So it would seem some were doing run time tests and the light began to strobe [ once every minute for me ] and they thought the light was no longer in regulation ..

What it could be is the voltage warning level , as the light pulls about 3A on high , there will be a lot of voltage sag under such current draw .

So even though the battery has plenty of juice , the voltage sag kicks in the warning strobe ...

Im just wondering at what voltage the warning strobe is set for ? [ maybe 3.5v or 3.6v ? ] With such high current draw , perhaps a much lower setting is needed ..

This is what I have to read AFTER I order the light?

Wow... I'm going to do a full datalogging runtime test tomorrow on one of my lights in stock with the new driver. I've not run it for more than a few minutes at a time, but never noticed any strange behavior like what you are describing. Hopefully not all lights are like that. I'll post my results tomorrow hopefully...

Can you describe the voltage warning flashes in a little more detail? Also, any chance you'll see how it behaves on RCR123 cells? Last question: what's the size of the driver cavity? This seems like a sweet light for the dough.

This was a continuous run , non stop from start to end ..

Light pulls about 3A on high to start with , so on a continuous run voltage sag will come into the equation ... https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/8223 See this battery review .

As for reading it now , well , I have school , lots of home work , and time is a little limited , so when time permits .

Initial regulation check was to see if the light runs regulated , which it did , and did again this time , its unfortunate that the (error) did not show up in the initial test as I had done a full run with the previous SE-2 with no issue .

Woops forgot to edit the description when I got more in stock. Still a couple in stock, but I'm still carrying out my own testing on a few of these lights. I'd hold off if you plan to order for a few more days.

So far though 35 minutes into the runtime test no flickering or strobe type stuff going on yet...

Do NOT use 2x RCR123's or CR123's in this light. It is designed for a Single 18650/17670 cell only. The balder BD2 can accept 2xCR123's or 18650's.

Runtime test completed:

I confirmed that the light does 3-4 brief flashes, to signal for a low battery warning. The datalogging sample rate was set to 1 second, thats why you see random drops in output towards the end of the runtime. The test was done with a Redilast 2600 with a 4.15v starting voltage. The first blink happened at ~56 minutes. The next blink was at ~59.5 minutes and the next set of brief flashes happened every 2 minutes. The light seemed to have terminated the discharge at around 25% relative light output. After the test, the light would not turn on until the battery voltage rebounded back to an acceptable usage level. Now when I turn the light on with the almost fully discharged battery, it blinks 3 flashes or so for a brief second, then will provide 2 minutes of output before blinking again.

Perhaps old4570's driver is defective and has the low voltage signal warning set WAY too high.

Damn, I was so looking forward to owning one of these. FOY, HJK Any comments ?

So far how many reviews posted ?

Its early days , and more reviews need to be posted , by others who got lights to test

I received my SE-2 but don't really have any scientific test data to provide. I can only tell you I am satisfied with the build quality, performance, and appearance of it. Other folks who have discussed this light were spot on in my opinion when they likened the feel of the SE-2 to some fenix lights. Mine does in fact have a similar feel (quality wise) to my Fenix E-21. I have not done any long run times with it yet but did test it out at work last night. It was on constantly without any issues for about 20 minutes. Light output is very much to my liking. A very nice balance of flood and throw. All in all it seems to be a very usable light and at this point I have no regrets about picking one up. Hopefully this opinion will not change after living with it for a while. I certainly have no indication at this time it will.

I shall be owning one of these.

Keith

old4570, I've sent you a PM

I have 2 Balder lights and I am amazed at the quality.

My review (in spanish): http://reviewsdelinternas.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/balder-se-2.html

This is a different driver version, with 2 group of modes (Main group 3 modes Hi-Med-Low, Hidden group with 6 modes Hi-Med-Low-Fast Strobe-Slow Strobe-SOS) and with a different low voltage warning signal.

Regulation is different too.

UPz, thanks for the data.

One question though: the current was measured at the tailcap, not at the LED, right?

If the former, it means that the light isn’t regulated at HI mode to maintain constant brightness, unlike that of the mid setting…

I think I’ll get one anyway though.

Cheers! :beer:

This is one seriously nice looking light. I must admit it never really blipped my radar advertised at only 500 lumens, they should really change the product description. This is definitely on my list. I’m surprised it hasn’t generated more interest.

If I’m reading correctly, this driver is 2.5A - 630lum or “3A-750lum” version on high (English is not my mother language)?
My driver is dead, so is 2.8A Nanjg 105c a good/better replacement?

Good replacement ..