[Oshpark] HQ 15mm/17mm programmable boost driver with ATtiny13A

HQB17B v1

17.6mm boost driver board
designed to source as many parts as possible from the FastTech boost driver

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EDIT: More capacity really is needed: see post #30
Either you need to add a capacitor at C3 or swap for a larger C2 (like 22µF)

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Oshpark Link

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Parts size
(more on parts and values see partlist overview in post#2)

Switch: PAM2803, SOT-23-6
L1: max 4.3x4.3mm
D1: DO214AA
C1: 0805
C2: 0805
C3: 0603 (optional)
R1: 0805
R2: 0603
R3: 0603
MCU: ATTiny13A-SSU, 8S1
OTC: 0603 (optional)
FET: N-Channel, SOT-23-3

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The highlighted parts are those from the FT-driver, just add an ATtiny, C3 and - if needed - an OTC.

Thanks! That’s a very helpful highlight.

It’s time for some field testing.
I just built a HQB15 v2 and installed it in a Sipik SK68 clone.

First memorable result: A swap of the FT driver will need additional capacitance (higher C2 or additional C3).
I did at first a straight transfer of only the FT parts and got only initial flickering. Like: strobe for half a second. Same after every mode change. I changed between different driver frequencies, still just flickering.
The FT driver had 10µF as C2 (10.7µF according to DMM, I tested it after harvesting the part). Added a 10µF 0603 (tested 7.8µF) as C3 and - voila - the light stays bright in every mode.

R1 is 0.120 Ohm (R120), no ‘overclocking’ for now.

Flashed is the already mentioned adapted MiniDrv with 3 modes (PWM 1,8,255), with on-time memory (no OTC).

I started with 4.7kHz (9.6MHz, fuse 6a (divider:8), fastPWM) and now flashed to 38kHz (9.6MHz, fuse 7a (divider:1), fastPWM). Both work, 4.7 is whining considerably and has higher low, 38kHz is silent and slightly better at PWM1.

Let’s see how it handles some heavy use. Pics later.

Edit:
Of course I swapped for a BAT60A before installing into the SK68, as the original diode was only attached by wire.

Good to know, thanks. Still waiting on the boards.

The HQB15 v2 is still up and running in the SK68. First results after some days of heavy use

- the driver does not press-fit well, I had to back it up with wire or output was not stable

- a notch really helps to pry out a press-fit driver…

- re-prgramming while installed did work, just take care that the LED-wires are soldered away from the MCU

  • the modes {1,8,255} are far too close together (at least with 1AA), I’ll look into lowering moon next

But, well, in the end this is my first 1AA with own programm.

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SK68 pill with HQB15 v2 (0.8mm board), original SK68 driver in the background:

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The built driver so far: one HQB15 v2 (0.8mm), two HQB15 v1 (1.6mm).

Well done HQ. Its good to see this up and running in a light.

Little status update

I successfully built one HQB15 v3 and one HQB17B v1, which both are running fine in lights. Still with simple firmware, I tweaked the MiniDrv firmware with several mode groups which took me a lot of time.

To be honest I at least postponed the idea for LVP. None of my AA light has it and I can live with a dead or degraded eneloop once in a while. I just won’t find the time to dig deeper here. I will finish the planned 17mm LVP boards (C/D) so if anyone else wants to progress LVP he has something to go on. Just ask if you need a certain layout.

I started working on HQB15M and this one looks really promising in Eagle so far. Made me chuckle more than once. I redesigned my Attiny MMU breakout board and that took me a while, but now it all might get into shape.

Using the Attiny13a-MMU would even allow for sub-15mm variants. Just sayin’ :wink:

How far sub 15mm? I am still interested in trying these boards. What would be the best rev to go with at this point?

14mm was easily sketched
13mm already looks doable.
Less will be tight.

Mind it’s the 3x3mm MMU package. :wink:

All the smaller AAA boost drivers I’ve seen with modes use stacked boards to fit an mcu. Somehow they look bigger on your table than mine. :wink:

With 12mm you serve quite a lot of AAA lights :slight_smile:

I’m hoping at some point these boards will be sold ready to go, Mtn Electronics is the obvious seller, but a source in Europe or Asia is easier for us overseas.

To that effect it seems GB’s with custom drivers can make that happen. The drivers end up sold separately afterwards.

This project still alive? By all means!
But all of you following this thread are now accustomed to the length of my production cycles…

Nevertheless, there is hope for some professional solution:

RMM seems to be still working on a boost driver, as he did let slip in his thread:

Perhaps if we start nagging :innocent:

Hmm, I really hope that Richard get his boost driver succesfully running and for sale…

Today I hoped to mod a BLF X5 (the OL-engraved one) with a boost driver to get it working on Eneloops (I’m sure that Old Lumens will approve that, he used to be not keen at all on using li-ion cells), so I tried an LD30 that I had. Unfortunately, the three modes on the XP-L Hi led are as badly spaced as can be: 1lm, 120lm, 135lm, can’t live with that :frowning:

On the bright side: to my surprise the X5 with the XP-L Hi at the very modest 135 lumen is a very nice and useful flashlight, it is not as impressive as the 1300lm of the stock X5, but its good throw makes it still a powerful flashlight.

Where did the LD30 come from. I’ve never had one outputting like that and would prefer not to.

Not sure, I have had it for a while, the little plastic bag it was in suggests banggood, but is is not listed there (anymore?). It is one with a long narrow battery spring.

1-120-135 is a very strange mode spacing. Does is occur with 1xAA and 2xAA? Maybe it’s optimized for 2xAA and with 1xAA it can’t boost high mode enough.

Ah, the X5. I’m eyeballing it (the black astrolux s3 host to be precise) for some time now but couldn’t convince myself to spend the 20$, yet. But it’s still on my list…

The X5/S3 has a very effective reflector for a single NiMh flashlight, it is a small enough size but the finning is bit overdone for the mere ~1W of power that is produced. Ideal would be a slightly leaner host the size of the ancient Romisen RC-G2 (which has a slightly smaller reflector that unfortunately is quite heavy OP).

Just about perfect for a Micromag on a single nimh.

I put together one of the 15mm V3 boards today. It’s currently running in a SK68 with a $1.68 XPG3 from Arrow Electronics. I’m very happy with the light considering the minimal cost. I went with the standard thickness boards(1.6mm?) and didn’t have much trouble getting the driver to press fit. Thanks for all the hard work HQ.

Seems to run fine on a 14500 as well.