New version DRY driver info thread goes here

:frowning: :_( …ok many thanks.

Well to be accurate, yes it can be used with 2 cells, and yes it can be used with 3 series XML2s, but not both at the same time. 3 XML2s would require 3 or 4 cells. I guess you could use 4 18350s?

Not come to understand well … you say that for some series parallel combination?
About of the 18350 is a good idea! but I can not use where I want to install.

Thanks

Input voltage must always be higher than output voltage with this driver, however you wire it up with whatever parts combo. To use 3 XML2s in series, the input voltage must be higher than the voltage needed to run 3 series XML2s. With only 2 cells you only have 8.4 volts input, but 3 series XML2s need more than 10 volts. That means you need more than 10 volts input, that means 3 or 4 cells (12.6 or 16.8v) input.

If you cannot change things around to get any more input voltage than 8.4v, you would have to wire the 3 XML2s in parallel, which would not be a good way to do it, since with LEDs in parallel the output current will be divided equally between them, that means it would only run at something like 1200mA per LED. If you wire them in series and raise the input voltage to 12.6 or 16.8v, the output will be 3.5A to all LEDs.

Why is it you can't put two 18350s in the place of each 18650, which would give you 16.8v input?

The most recent listing has slightly different specs: http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=2123

As I mentioned, the early one I got didn't do anything different with the 'stars' bridged, it now has descriptions of what the stars do. Should be just a firmware change, the hardware is the same.

Group 1: 5modes by default (High/Mid/Low/Strobe/SOS) (no stars bridged)
Group 2: 5% 30% 100%
Group 3: 100% 30% Flash
Group 4: 100% 50%
Short-circuit two stars to change Group.

Thanks for the technical explanation :wink: this I already had more or less clear…
This part had not understood:

Well to be accurate, yes it can be used with 2 cells, and yes it can be used with 3 series XML2s, “but not both at the same time.” ……

You can use it with only 2 cells in series, as long as you only use one XML2 (or more than one in parallel). 8.4v input is greater than 3.4v output.

You can use it with 3 XML2s in series, as long as you have 3 or more cells input. 12.6v & 16.8v input is greater than ~10.5v output.

But you cannot have both at the same time in the same flashlight - 8.4 volts will not power 3 LEDs in series.

Because is a multi battery flashlight 2s 2p 18650 total 4 batteries with 18350 they would be too many volts and batteries :wink:

Four 18350s in series is 16.8 volts, this driver works fine with 16.8 volts and even a single LED. Go back to post #14 again and look at the numbers.

OK, 2S2P would need 8 18350s, but it would still be only 16.8v. It would end up as 4S2P.

Yes! I see, it works great with 2 and 3 batteries with single xml2.

I love group 2: 5% 30% 100% a pity it seems that he lost the turbo :~

Losing the turbo gave us the ability to run a single XML2 from 4 cells without blowing anything up. The old turbo only worked with 3 cells & 3 LEDs.

Anyone care to explain what exactly a DRY driver is? I guess it’s not wet, but I wouldn’t think any drivers are…

Before my time, but my understanding is that there was a light called Dry that had a driver that went into direct drive in the highest mode. When this driver became available separately, it became a very popular driver for mods. I'd like to know why this new "version" was called "Dry". It's so different in so many ways. Is there a new Dry light that uses this driver?

“DRY” is a name for this case, however the driver is not really physically dry or wet. :smiley:

There was a flashlight called “DRY” back in few years ago, and Ric from CNQ has even organized a group buy for DRY in early 2012 in BLF and I bought one from there too (also the first GB I participated in BLF :wink: ). During that time there were not a lot of powerful multi-emitter flashlight and DRY was one of the highest lumens output LED flashlight available, putting out around 2500 OTF lumens was pretty impressive back then. The flashlight has good heatsinking (integrated) and the main point of this driver is allowing high current draw at turbo mode, it was claimed as direct-drive by the seller but it was actually still current regulated tested by somebody here.

And then there were several variations of this driver which I couldn’t remember the details. This year Ric has released the updated version of DRY flashlight, which is using this new larger diameter DRY driver. The older DRY driver was about 26mm (or a bit off), and the newer one is 32mm. According to CNQ website it seems that Ric has stopped selling the DRY driver separately, but the DRY flashlight is still available, though I’m not sure how is the quality and the driver inside.

EDIT: A bit of nostalgia I have here lol.
wemissyoufoy DRY flashlight review
DRY groupbuy

To my understanding I think what comfychair trying to say is:

1. This driver accepts 2 cells in series - Correct
2. This driver can power 3 series XM-L2 - Correct
3. This driver can power 3 series XM-L2 with 2 cells in series - NO IT CAN’T (input voltage < required output voltage in this case, and a boost driver is needed for this job)

I think I remember reading that an updated version of the DRY was in the works? Apparently the new host will fit this new driver, hence the name.

These drivers are still available. This is the second revision of this new style - first version, discontinued now: http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1349 ; current version with updated firmware: http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=2123

Old version DRY empty host still listed here, though only 3 left: http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1177 I do not think this new driver will fit the 1st gen DRY host, though.

Thanks for the explanation bibihang. Things are a little clearer now.

This may be what I have been loking for to drive a 3S MT-G2,

Anyone know of other current controlled Buck Drivers for 3S 18650 Cells?