Roche F6 hacking

Yes - it's pretty much the stock T_K firmware. The light pipe is a tight snug fit with no adhesive so far - probably should use something though for water resistance, but think it must dry clear. I had to cut it down to fit, using a cut-off wheel on my rotary tool. It somewhat melted the plastic, but no ill effects.

Ohh - dont' think I posted this, but on about July 5th I did the repair of the tailcap - took 2 strips of heavy duty alum foil, folded them over to 4x times, jammed them in to get the SS tail cap to hold. I also re-soldered the tail spring bypass so I good a good connection there. Results were:

On a fresh AWT IMR 2500 mAh cell @4.20v, 5.35A @tail and 1394 lumens @start, 1285 @30 secs on the T5 5D3 XM-L2/Noctigon.

Not bad for this light - the SS bezel is quite deep so I think it blocks a little output

Anyone else see these?

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Compatible-tube-adapter-m18650-14500-16340-tube-hard-oxygen/1908125904.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.20.LI5YBO&ws_ab_test=201407_5,201444_5_3_2_1_5_4,201409_5

Looks like they got the 14500 tube - hope it would fit the F6, think it would, not sure. Think'n of ordering one. They also have the screw in accessories, pricey a bit though.

This buckle looks nice too: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Cnc-304-stainless-steel-ultra-hard-series-flashlight/505693_1608581980.html

Why did they make it 16340 instead of 18350? :zipper_mouth_face:

Weird - seems like they list stock on all 3, but you can only order the 14500. Could be the 16340 tube may fit 18350's - length is close, just a matter of the inside width - from the pics it looks like the 14500 tube is made with a thicker tube, dunno bout the 16340 tube.

I just submitted a Q to the seller - I'll find out, but probably they only have the 14500's left. This is basically an old Sunwayman C15A with the AA size tube, C10R with the 16340 tube.

This seller, btw, is the tube manufacturer. Probably got stock with inventory, and tried to sell remaining ones off themselves.

Ordered the 14500 tube on Sep 24th and it arrived yesterday in record time, no special shipping option! It fits the F6 light perfect!!

I mean perfect... Sorry no pics, but with the 14500 tube, the light is the same length as a slim AA zoomie with the head retracted, about 92 mm in length! SmileSmileSmile

Only negative is it has the same uncoated steel spring in the tail, but also has the same quality machining, anodizing and quality stainless steel cap with the accessory threaded hole.

Here it is, $10.46 shipped: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Compatible-tube-adapter-m18650-14500-16340-tube-hard-oxygen/1908125904.html

Thanks for the heads up Tom.

Anyone have another source for these shorter tube options?

i bought right now this one…looks like roche copy…hm…i will open it and report…but,this light looks very very good:)
i just wonder-the battery indicator is only on the original??or made by you?:slight_smile:
ah i see-ots the BG version…no more available anymore:((

Incorrect. Tom has his resistors backwards. Yes, red LEDs have much lower Vf, but in this case the red is only on when VBAT is already significantly down, and most importantly the red appears dimmer to the eye. 1KR for the green, 470R for the red.

Am I still asleep? Did comfychair make a new post? Is comfychair really “back”?

Holy cow!!! Bout the resistors, oh boy - I've had it backward all this time? Not good... I still use the light regularly, though the old obsolete Sunwayman (forget model) is a better deal - more compact, lighter in weight - I prefer it. I grabbed a couple of the last ones from ILLUM.com a while back for a great price.

Man, I'm glad to see you back comfy!!! If I could figure how to insert a smiley face, I'd put in a couple dozen!

It’s all, a dream.

Hope you’ve been ok.

Also opps on the resistors. :-x

Woa woa woa!!! Did I miss something? I just finished installing an rgbw driver in the f6. I put in the battery and I got out my DMM to test the voltage at the led dies to make sure I had it wired correctly. However, after 15-20sec I noticed it was getting hot and before I had the battery out it was hot hot! I believe it short from batt+ to the retaining ring. It was a button top battery and when tightend I can’t see anything from stopping a short. Did I miss something? Have others had this happen? Is it only compatable with flat top? I’m wondering if I reinstalled the contact assembly correctly, but I don’t know what I could have missed? Anyway, this just happened so I needed to vent. Let me know if you have an idea of what I could have done wrong…

Here is a link to a picture. For some reason I can’t get it to show up without the link. Imgur: The magic of the Internet

I don’t really have much helpful to say, but it seems to me that a flat-top cell would be the problem cell if there was going to be a problem . Flat tops have a wider contact area.

It’s good to see you post again.

Probably a silly question, but did you remember to put the gasket back between the reflector and emitter?

Could the spring slide off the button and short the tube?

What’s hidden under the retainer? Is it a secret?

Dedicated F6 direct-fit driver? Some other driver piggybacked onto something else?

Under the retaining ring is an rgbw driver from dr jones. I added some chips to the spring side of the driver so I had to mill out some of the underside of the retaining ring. Everything is still in the same place though. Only difference is that there is an extra layer of chips under the ring.

I fit the battery tube again using a thin insulator over the retaining ring. This kept the battery from shorting. I just can’t figure out why others havnt has the same problem. As it is for me, most batteries will make a short without the insulator there so I’m wondering if I didn’t assemble correctly.

For anyone who has an f6, is the little white insulator ring that is right around the spring contact button free to push in along with the button? On mine it is. If it were held in place, it would keep the battery away from the ring. But I can’t see how it could be held in place. Even if I glued it, it wouldn’t hold the pressure of tightening the battery and tube.

Sorry, I am normally not able to read at this time of day so my writing may not be clear.
Thanks for your help!

Don’t have my F6 with me, @work, but I only use high performance flat tops in this light - would never consider using a button top, so I’m not sure how that white insulator ring works on my setup - I never had any troubles though.