Ultrafire F13 at $11.39 - with Coupon Code - Gearbest

What is people’s opinions of the drivers these F13’s come with? What is the size of the driver? Since I’m gaining experience with (or at least getting my feet wet) modding I’m thinking of changing a driver. I’ve replaced one star already with a 20mm Notigon XML U2 and have a second Notigon going into my second F13. I ordered two more that haven’t arrived yet but thought it would be interesting to have a one or two stock F13’s and then play with the other two in various ways to see what happens, what I like and foremost to get experience in doing various mods.

I was thinking of something like this: QLITE REV.A 7135*8 3.04A LED DRIVER - 17mm as I’m looking at using it in one or two SK98’s I have coming. Just unsure of the driver size at the moment. If this looks good, how many 7135 chips would ‘you’ go with? As with the SK98’s I’d like to have one bright and one max run time.

Thoughts welcome :slight_smile:

I have not been here long enough to have an opinion. The board is an oddball size of 22mm, which I why I bought this light so I can build and program this driver for it. I wish light makers would get away from the relatively tiny 17mm driver and go bigger.

I sure hope the LED is still loose (or at least poorly glued) to the shelf, as it is a cool white (which I hate), and must be replaced. Since the shelf is located deep in the body, it could be a bear to get out.

Most F13’s the star is loose, held down by the reflector

they are VERY good lights…go with a XM-L2, T6-4C for a good neutral tint…very very light creme tint to it but very smooth, my favorite tint

For a price like that I had to order one of these. Can’t wait for it to turn up!

That 4C is a nice tint and I’ve used hundreds of em in the big lights I used to make (with one red thrown in for CRI), but I’m a warm white guy when it comes to flashlights. I’ve always liked the 7 series tints for flashlights, giving up some lumens for tint and CRI. Cree has announced 90+CRI WW bins, but they appear to be vaporware so far. I got a nice 6A2 XM-L2 from Mountain, but I really like the 7s.

This light is going to take a while to finish, as this will be my first attempt at flashing a MCU. The flashing stuff is on order, but from what I’ve read, that’s the easy part.

You got bit by the bug….didncha :wink:

Where do you select XM-L2, T6-4C?

I’ve been bit for quite some time now. Been building stuff since the early 2000s. Shoot, I replaced my kitchen’s T-12 fluorescents with spare WW and high CRI LEDs, powered by Xitanium mains drivers back (I think) in 2009 and after a few thousand hours they are still going strong. Probably helped that I mounted the LEDs on aluminum channels and have 40mm fans blowing down said channels.

Anyways, I ordered a half dozen 22mm 12*7135 drivers from OSH. We’ll see how it powers this flashlight. This light, at a regulated 4 amps and less with a warm white XM-L2 could be a nice combo.

It feels good to be back in the saddle. I haven’t touched my flashlights (other than to use them) or other electronics since I sold the business 5 or so years ago. Now I’m starting over—with zero inventory and a lot fewer production tools.

https://www.google.com/search?q=XM-L2%2C+T6-4C

and

http://budgetlightforum.com/search?q_as=XM-L2%2C%20T6-4C

You need a soldering iron, then buy the emitter on the board, and swap boards.
The links will show you how, and where to buy them

Missed quite a bit. I avoid reading threads even smelling of “mod”. Thanks.

That cool white XML-2…is this a good candidate for dedome?

I have modded my light purchased because of this thread. Kept the stock driver but changed the wires to 22 gauge silicone wires with the positive moved to the alternate location on the driver. Also added 22 gauge wire to both springs. With a de-domed XM-L2 0D on a Noctigon it has a good beam. I also polished the anodizing off the shelf, added Arctic Silver under the MCPCB, and shaved down the centering ring till it just barley engages the reflector. I am happy with it, especially for the money I have in it.

Edit to add:

Tail-cap current readings of 3.6A with protected 4000mAh Evva and 3.75A with purple Efest

Is there any expiry date for the coupon code?

Finally received mine yesterday looks like a good mod light but first thoughts of the standard light was of low quality.

I just got 2 of them delivered yesterday… I paid $10 each… forgot what’s the code was, but it’s still working

Just open mine up to swap out the LED turns out they don’t use any thermal paste :open_mouth:

I liked them for $9 but $11.39 changes it a little. I knew I should have bought one more………. story of my life…

:exmark: :beer:

The later lights I received, which was along time ago, where of very poor quality which was also reported by others as well. I cant verify the quality now but would say buyer beware.

I’ve had good results from Gearbest. Takes a while, but it got there.

Just file a Paypal dispute, man. Insurance or no, Paypal will give you your money back. You have 6 months to file now.