I worry about the quality of the 7135s. The tint mixing firmware really requires high quality parts compatible with all PWM values
I think they should be able to get good parts. If not though, the effect would be a bit of change in brightness while changing tint:
With ideal parts, brightness should stay rock-steady while adjusting tint, like a flat board placed across two support beams.
With lower-quality parts, particularly with slower activation times, brightness would sag a bit at middle tints, like a cable strung between two telephone poles.
Given how visual perception of brightness works though, even the non-linear version would probably be a pretty subtle effect. And if it shows up in testing, perhaps the firmware could try to correct for it.
I'm finding the light manufacturers (Sofirn, Emisar, FireFlies, Amutorch) seem to be getting the good 7135's, but I can't seem to find them to buy stand alone. Usually it's the opposite case - go figure...
I’m finding the light manufacturers (Sofirn, Emisar, FireFlies, Amutorch) seem to be getting the good 7135’s, but I can’t seem to find them to buy stand alone. Usually it’s the opposite case – go figure…
Id love a good source of 7135s. The ones recommended by Lexel from LCSC turned out to be the low quality ones, the raptor claw ones. For what ever reason Richard’s seem to be a good supply but aren’t bulk friendly. And they are out of stock (fast 350mA).
ToyKeeper wrote:
staticx57 wrote:
I worry about the quality of the 7135s. The tint mixing firmware really requires high quality parts compatible with all PWM values
I think they should be able to get good parts. If not though, the effect would be a bit of change in brightness while changing tint:
With ideal parts, brightness should stay rock-steady while adjusting tint, like a flat board placed across two support beams.
With lower-quality parts, particularly with slower activation times, brightness would sag a bit at middle tints, like a cable strung between two telephone poles.
Given how visual perception of brightness works though, even the non-linear version would probably be a pretty subtle effect. And if it shows up in testing, perhaps the firmware could try to correct for it.
I can give my experience from my candle project. Having tried a few varieties the tint mixing firmware is more sensitive to poor 7135, as it stands now. with PWM values at the floor of 1 the poor 7135 do not turn the LEDs on. Setting the floor to say 5 and changing every other value below 5 would result in the light turning on at 5 then dimming and turning off before turning on again. The tint mixing is causing it to go somewhere below 5 even when it is running on one tint channel entirely.
I’m finding the light manufacturers (Sofirn, Emisar, FireFlies, Amutorch) seem to be getting the good 7135’s, but I can’t seem to find them to buy stand alone. Usually it’s the opposite case – go figure…
Id love a good source of 7135s. The ones recommended by Lexel from LCSC turned out to be the low quality ones, the raptor claw ones. For what ever reason Richard’s seem to be a good supply but aren’t bulk friendly. And they are out of stock (fast 350mA).
ToyKeeper wrote:
staticx57 wrote:
I worry about the quality of the 7135s. The tint mixing firmware really requires high quality parts compatible with all PWM values
I think they should be able to get good parts. If not though, the effect would be a bit of change in brightness while changing tint:
With ideal parts, brightness should stay rock-steady while adjusting tint, like a flat board placed across two support beams.
With lower-quality parts, particularly with slower activation times, brightness would sag a bit at middle tints, like a cable strung between two telephone poles.
Given how visual perception of brightness works though, even the non-linear version would probably be a pretty subtle effect. And if it shows up in testing, perhaps the firmware could try to correct for it.
I can give my experience from my candle project. Having tried a few varieties the tint mixing firmware is more sensitive to poor 7135, as it stands now. with PWM values at the floor of 1 the poor 7135 do not turn the LEDs on. Setting the floor to say 5 and changing every other value below 5 would result in the light turning on at 5 then dimming and turning off before turning on again. The tint mixing is causing it to go somewhere below 5 even when it is running on one tint channel entirely.
Interesting observations. I understand that those issues are only at the lowest levels? So to obtain a very low level intermediate tint you have to raise the floor a bit so that the end tints are a bit too high and the in between the tint is as low as wanted? or ramp up a bit.
Interesting observations. I understand that those issues are only at the lowest levels? So to obtain a very low level intermediate tint you have to raise the floor a bit so that the end tints are a bit too high and the in between the tint is as low as wanted? or ramp up a bit.
I suspect a less noticeable, related issue happens at higher levels. From testing HKJ did, and that I later replicated, cheap 7135’s seem to activate too slowly to maintain regulation very well, depending on the duty cycle and input voltage.
I don’t think I ever posted my findings to BLF, so excuse the external link. HKJ’s first post has lots of specific graphs. My post near the end of the discussion has a single, simpler graph overlaying tests at 3 duty cycles: 100%, 25%, and 3%.
I experienced very good regulation at 100%, mediocre regulation at 25%, and no regulation at all at 3%.
So this suggests cheap 7135’s would result in (probably subtle) tint changes as battery voltage drops, in addition to the issue staticx57 already noted when one channel is at low output.
Unfortunately, the linking in the opposite direction is much more frowned upon at CPF. I suppose I should at least post the same content to HKJ’s identical review on BLF.
Interesting observations. I understand that those issues are only at the lowest levels? So to obtain a very low level intermediate tint you have to raise the floor a bit so that the end tints are a bit too high and the in between the tint is as low as wanted? or ramp up a bit.
I suspect a less noticeable, related issue happens at higher levels. From testing HKJ did, and that I later replicated, cheap 7135’s seem to activate too slowly to maintain regulation very well, depending on the duty cycle and input voltage.
I don’t think I ever posted my findings to BLF, so excuse the external link. HKJ’s first post has lots of specific graphs. My post near the end of the discussion has a single, simpler graph overlaying tests at 3 duty cycles: 100%, 25%, and 3%.
I experienced very good regulation at 100%, mediocre regulation at 25%, and no regulation at all at 3%.
So this suggests cheap 7135’s would result in (probably subtle) tint changes as battery voltage drops, in addition to the issue staticx57 already noted when one channel is at low output.
Ill add a bit more of my observations if it may be helpful on this project too.
Ill add I have tried three separate types and batches of 7135s. My Candle uses the tint mixing firmware as well so I figured it would be uniquely helpful here. Anyways.
The first 7135s I tried were from Richard and were marked 7135 35L with nothing else on them. The way the tint mixing firmware is by default includes a minimum PWM value of 1. These 7135s worked perfectly fine and had no issues. I can ramp both channels and they both worked and all of the intermediate mixes worked just fine too.
The next batch of 7135s I tried were from LCSC and were the “raptor claw” ones as suggested by Lexel. These particular 7135s had no interested in turning on with a PWM value of less than 5. Set the ramp to a minimum of 5 and they kinda turn on but any mixed value ends up turning them off when we are mixing channels. Even with this, turning on in moon in single channel no mixing then ramping UP turned the light off again then on even though I never set a value of less than 5 in the ramp. Setting the PWM values to around 15 seemed to correct the problem as it would always be on but the ramp was still wonky as in turn on moon would be brighter than a bit up the ramp then it would get brighter again. Made no sense to me as the PWM values were constant. This affected the special modes as well. I ended up throwing these 7135s in the rubbish.
My last batch are Richard’s 380mA with the shark fin. These flicker on PWM value 1 but I raised the the 1s in the ramp to 2 and they seem to be ok. This minor changed seemed not to affect the firmware either.
Ill add a bit more of my observations if it may be helpful on this project too.
Ill add I have tried three separate types and batches of 7135s. My Candle uses the tint mixing firmware as well so I figured it would be uniquely helpful here. Anyways.
The first 7135s I tried were from Richard and were marked 7135 35L with nothing else on them. The way the tint mixing firmware is by default includes a minimum PWM value of 1. These 7135s worked perfectly fine and had no issues. I can ramp both channels and they both worked and all of the intermediate mixes worked just fine too.
The next batch of 7135s I tried were from LCSC and were the “raptor claw” ones as suggested by Lexel. These particular 7135s had no interested in turning on with a PWM value of less than 5. Set the ramp to a minimum of 5 and they kinda turn on but any mixed value ends up turning them off when we are mixing channels. Even with this, turning on in moon in single channel no mixing then ramping UP turned the light off again then on even though I never set a value of less than 5 in the ramp. Setting the PWM values to around 15 seemed to correct the problem as it would always be on but the ramp was still wonky as in turn on moon would be brighter than a bit up the ramp then it would get brighter again. Made no sense to me as the PWM values were constant. This affected the special modes as well. I ended up throwing these 7135s in the rubbish.
My last batch are Richard’s 380mA with the shark fin. These flicker on PWM value 1 but I raised the the 1s in the ramp to 2 and they seem to be ok. This minor changed seemed not to affect the firmware either.
Thanks for the input and suggestions on the 7135s, much appreciated. Hopefully the manufacturer can get the correct ones.
—
That Canadian flashlight guy & Lantern Guru -Den / DBSARlight
I’m waiting on prototype hardware before I try to adjust anything about the tint ramping. It could be fine, or it could need some tweaking. We won’t know until after doing some tests.
I'm waiting on prototype hardware before I try to adjust anything about the tint ramping. It could be fine, or it could need some tweaking. We won't know until after doing some tests.
Someone please get this girl some hardware! Uhh, that didn't come off as I meant, oh boy....
Add me to the interested list.
Long time lurker, finally created an account to sign up for this one.
Added to the list, and welcome to BLF
PocketSammich wrote: I don’t need this, but I want it. Please sign me up.
Add me to the interested list, thanks!
1184 Ramius
Added to the list at 1184, and welcome to BLF Ramius!:BEER:
PocketSammich wrote: I don’t need this, but I want it. Please sign me up.
I think they should be able to get good parts. If not though, the effect would be a bit of change in brightness while changing tint:
Given how visual perception of brightness works though, even the non-linear version would probably be a pretty subtle effect. And if it shows up in testing, perhaps the firmware could try to correct for it.
I'm finding the light manufacturers (Sofirn, Emisar, FireFlies, Amutorch) seem to be getting the good 7135's, but I can't seem to find them to buy stand alone. Usually it's the opposite case - go figure...
Id love a good source of 7135s. The ones recommended by Lexel from LCSC turned out to be the low quality ones, the raptor claw ones. For what ever reason Richard’s seem to be a good supply but aren’t bulk friendly. And they are out of stock (fast 350mA).
I can give my experience from my candle project. Having tried a few varieties the tint mixing firmware is more sensitive to poor 7135, as it stands now. with PWM values at the floor of 1 the poor 7135 do not turn the LEDs on. Setting the floor to say 5 and changing every other value below 5 would result in the light turning on at 5 then dimming and turning off before turning on again. The tint mixing is causing it to go somewhere below 5 even when it is running on one tint channel entirely.
I am interested in 2 please.
I just saw this project mentioned in a post on r/flashlight today. I recently bought a q8 and have been searching for a lantern, this looks amazing!
Interested
added sc00ts19 and jonxxn to the interest list, welcome to BLF sc00ts19
PocketSammich wrote: I don’t need this, but I want it. Please sign me up.
In for one!
I’m interested!! For one or more – has anyone mentioned the price yet?
Interesting observations. I understand that those issues are only at the lowest levels? So to obtain a very low level intermediate tint you have to raise the floor a bit so that the end tints are a bit too high and the in between the tint is as low as wanted? or ramp up a bit.
link to djozz tests
I’m interested for one. Registered especially for this one and the FT03
Add me to the interested list, please! Excited for it!
I suspect a less noticeable, related issue happens at higher levels. From testing HKJ did, and that I later replicated, cheap 7135’s seem to activate too slowly to maintain regulation very well, depending on the duty cycle and input voltage.
I don’t think I ever posted my findings to BLF, so excuse the external link. HKJ’s first post has lots of specific graphs. My post near the end of the discussion has a single, simpler graph overlaying tests at 3 duty cycles: 100%, 25%, and 3%.
I experienced very good regulation at 100%, mediocre regulation at 25%, and no regulation at all at 3%.
So this suggests cheap 7135’s would result in (probably subtle) tint changes as battery voltage drops, in addition to the issue staticx57 already noted when one channel is at low output.
A CPF link, on BLF?
Are you TRYING to get banned?!
(Just kidding!)
How to Post Images on BLF // Many knives for sale (USA only)
How to move a thread // WTS Brand New Timex Expedition Vibe Shock Camo Watch (USA only)
Unfortunately, the linking in the opposite direction is much more frowned upon at CPF. I suppose I should at least post the same content to HKJ’s identical review on BLF.
Ill add a bit more of my observations if it may be helpful on this project too.
Ill add I have tried three separate types and batches of 7135s. My Candle uses the tint mixing firmware as well so I figured it would be uniquely helpful here. Anyways.
The first 7135s I tried were from Richard and were marked 7135 35L with nothing else on them. The way the tint mixing firmware is by default includes a minimum PWM value of 1. These 7135s worked perfectly fine and had no issues. I can ramp both channels and they both worked and all of the intermediate mixes worked just fine too.
The next batch of 7135s I tried were from LCSC and were the “raptor claw” ones as suggested by Lexel. These particular 7135s had no interested in turning on with a PWM value of less than 5. Set the ramp to a minimum of 5 and they kinda turn on but any mixed value ends up turning them off when we are mixing channels. Even with this, turning on in moon in single channel no mixing then ramping UP turned the light off again then on even though I never set a value of less than 5 in the ramp. Setting the PWM values to around 15 seemed to correct the problem as it would always be on but the ramp was still wonky as in turn on moon would be brighter than a bit up the ramp then it would get brighter again. Made no sense to me as the PWM values were constant. This affected the special modes as well. I ended up throwing these 7135s in the rubbish.
My last batch are Richard’s 380mA with the shark fin. These flicker on PWM value 1 but I raised the the 1s in the ramp to 2 and they seem to be ok. This minor changed seemed not to affect the firmware either.
Thanks for the input and suggestions on the 7135s, much appreciated. Hopefully the manufacturer can get the correct ones.
That Canadian flashlight guy & Lantern Guru -Den / DBSARlight
I signed up to say I’m interested in 1 or more of the lanterns depending on price as well. Very exciting!
Welcome to the BLF forums!
That Canadian flashlight guy & Lantern Guru -Den / DBSARlight
Try doing that over at CPF
Interested in one of these. Put me on the list please.
I’m waiting on prototype hardware before I try to adjust anything about the tint ramping. It could be fine, or it could need some tweaking. We won’t know until after doing some tests.
Hi,
Nice work, I would be interested in a production model.
I’m interested! And excited to have finally signed up to BLF!
Someone please get this girl some hardware! Uhh, that didn't come off as I meant, oh boy....
Wow, a run on these lights last night! Welcome to BLF JermsMalibu, Canard, and PreacherCasy.
Here is the next group of names to update the interest list in the OP.
1181 Jorrail
1182 Jorrail
1183 DrinkingJar
1184 ramius
1185 sc00ts19
1186 sc00ts19
1187 jonxxn
1188 TheLonelyLumen
1189 Td398
1190 JermsMalibu
1191 lightboks
1192 Canard
1193 PreacherCasy
interest list sorted by entry number
interest list sorted by user names
PocketSammich wrote: I don’t need this, but I want it. Please sign me up.
Added
That Canadian flashlight guy & Lantern Guru -Den / DBSARlight
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