Newbie Q : Switch for UltraFire XML (Manafont)

[sugibdg]

Hi guys,

I am planning to buy my first drop in. My target would be Solarforce + S6 Switch + Ultrafire XM-L.

But after read a few post about Ultrafire XM-L, it seem that this drop in draw more than 3A on high, while S6 Switch only able to handle up to 3A. Will this drop in fry the switch?

If Ultrafire XM-L is not a good choice for S6, what is your suggestion for XM-L drop in that draw about 2.8A on high? Or what switch able to handle Ultrafire XM-L? (S7 switch seems able to handle up to 5A, but a review on here said that this switch is a crap)

Thanks guys.

[Kokopelli]

Has the same question in mind. Even my stock Solarforce L2p isn't rated to something like 3Amps, or is it?

[photon1k]

It would be very nice to know which SF switches are rated for 3+ amps, given the popularity of XM-L drop-ins. Does SF make that information available?

[jamesearljonesisasca (jamesearljonesisascab)]

the uf drop in i received was drawing 3.02A after 1 min on a SF L2 with the forward clicky switch which i think is the S6. so far its been ok and ive left it on where it got really hot. its got a gold colored spring on the switch. never noticed the tail cap getting hot.

[srfreddy]

The Ultrafire runs on one cell only...right? A majority of switch failures is from arcing.

[Davx]

@Be-Seen Triker

You would only ave to worry about this if you run 4.2v or less. If you run 8.4v, the current will easily be halved but the buck driver. Just in case this helps.

3 amps is not significant in the world of electronics. We make all kind of casual connections that draw this much without issue. Having said that, the ratings on switches are reliable, but you cannot exceed it by much. One of the killers of the contacts is known as inrush current... which often is much greater than the rated current I don't know how LED's are about inrush ratings. It shouldn't be too bad bcause the regulators would see this in any strobe mode.

Ok, maybe i'm a real noob and i dont't understand (or maybe my english is awful) but from this part of the post seems that running the manafont XM-L drop-in on a single 18650 (4,2 or less) may be a problem if you don't use a good switch. Is it true? So this drop-in in a standard L2 or in a 504b (not designed for XM-L) can easily cause damage?

[brted]

@Be-Seen Triker

You would only ave to worry about this if you run 4.2v or less. If you run 8.4v, the current will easily be halved but the buck driver. Just in case this helps.

Wouldn't it be the same? Really what is going to kill a wire or a contact is watts. So it's amps times volts, right?

[Davx]

Thank you very much Be-Seen Triker. Many useful info!
So the classical combination of SINGLE 18650 BODY+MANAFONT XM-L DROP-IN is not a good solution, right?

[Davx]

@Be-Seen Triker

It is a risk that many will take. In the case of a very cheap switch, it will fail... not if but when. A well built switch even rated at only 1.5 amps should have some useful life with a 2.8amp driver. There is little risk to doing this if you are willing to sacrifice the switch.

So, sooner or later i'll have to change the switch of L2P with manafont drop-in...

@Be-Seen Triker

I am learning that UltraFire uses this same switch setup in their tailcaps. I sent them an inquiry about the rating of the switches in their newer line of XM-L lights. I'll post up their response when I get it.

Seeing the characteristic of the UF with XM-L seems that they decide to use lower current than MF drop-in maybe to avoid problem with the switch.

[Davx]

Like many other flashlight, differen seller have different technical specifications. I see UF with XM-L with 500, 800 and also 1200 lm... Some seller say 1.4 A, other 3A... I think it's a lottery..

I didn't disasseble L2P yet but i see on CPF someone did it and mod the switch with one taken from KD.

Here --> http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?228693-Show-your-Solarforce/page30

[srfreddy]

@Be-Seen Triker

I just received the reply from UltraFire regarding their swiches. They claim to use quality switches (wrt XM-L) and the torches are warranteed for 180 days. They also warned that there are many imitators of UF.

So time will tell.

Excuse me? "Imitator" of Ultrafire? Yeah....no. Every Ultrafire is an Ultrafire, and their quality is what varies.

[mfm]

@srfreddy

Excuse me? “Imitator” of Ultrafire? Yeah…no. Every Ultrafire is an Ultrafire, and their quality is what varies.

There are fake imitations of Romisen lights reviewed as the real thing on this very site, why wouldn't there be fake Ultrafire lights? Why can you order "Ultrafire" SS C3 lights from the Aurora factory? etc...

[Davx]

I think every chinese clone has a clone. Has i write recently in another post, Akoray 106 is one big example. You can find at least 10 different Akoray all with the same logo. Same thing for UF and even for Solarforce.