So I buy a Trustfire f20 single AA/ 14500, when i get it im checking it out with both AA and 14500,
switching back and forth, works with both. Then I had a 14500 in it on high and I accidentally drop
it about three feet to the (carpeted) floor. It goes out. Now, it will come on real dim sometimes,
mostly not at all. If I try to change modes it goes out for good.
What is the likely problem - emitter or driver board?
Thanks
It sounds like the driver, maybe it’s not making good contact. I took mine apart once; you need stiff tweezers to put into the tiny holes in the driver and turn. It’s a two-board driver, so something could have came loose on either board. I doubt it’s the emitter.
I was able to get the pill out - what’s next? Does the copper part come out of the aluminum pill?
You may have cracked the driver or loosened a wire (or possibly the switch)
The LED can take LOTS of vibrational abuse, probably more then you could
Yes, it should pry out. I don’t have my F20 right now (my son likes the Transformer symbol so he stole it) but I do recall getting the driver out of the pill. I just cannot remember how I did it.
Ok - further testing. I have disassembled the whole thing - figured that the less than $11 price i paid for it wasn’t worth return shipping etc. Plus being honest it wasn’t DOA, it died after I dropped it, still think it was a little fragile seeing as how it landed on carpet and not concrete…
Anyway the tailcap tests good. The emitter tests good (hope it is still good) because I direct drove it for about a half second from a 14500 - blinded by the light…
So that leaves the driver. I’ve applied + to the inner circle and - to the outer ring (on the bottom side of driver), can’t get any light.
What would be a good replacement driver - looks like the outside diameter is measuring right at 15 mm.
Could I direct drive the led from a 14500 or would that burn it up quickly?
Problem is there is no driver readily available that maintains the 0.9v to 4.2v ability with the great power output this driver has. Right now I EDC an F20. I tried popping out the driver in my first F20 and broke a component off. The driver is soldered from the inside. I used an ice pick and pushed thru from the emitter wire holes until I broke it out (I didn't realize it was soldered in).
-Garry
I used a knife to cut away the solder holding the driver in - carved down the blobs in slices then cut through what was left.
So my driver board is intact - it just doesn’t seem to work. I could live with forgoing AA and Nimh operation, using just 14500.
Can you post any pics of it? Someone might be able to see the problem. A burnt diode maybe not but a cracked solder joint or failed connection, maybe.
Mine wasn’t soldered in. Hmm, maybe (probably) there are slightly different builds of the F20. Tomorrow I’ll se if I can get it away from my son long enough to take a pic or two.