Making compact high CRI light

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

After receiving Astrolux A01 I’m in love with high CRI…just can’t find the light that would suit my needs. However - I could imagine one. I value reasonable high output and many well spaced modes (including moon) - in total about 5-7.

Please tell me if this configuration would work. It would be my first DIY light.

Body:
Convoy S2+ short

Emitter:
Nichia 219B - From aliexpress
Maybe you have other propositions for better output or CRI? Preferably from banggood/fasttech/aliexpress (or others shipping worldwide).

Driver:
I love BLF A6 driver, diameter should be fine, but not sure if the current would be also fine?

2

check you links, they don’t work

3

I don’t have a great suggestion for you from those sellers, but its generally considered a bad idea to run a 219b on a FET driver. I’ve got a 219b triple on a FET that does pretty well, but I don’t drive it with high-current cells to avoid overpowering them. Plus there’s 3 of them to share the load.

I think most folks like to go 2, maybe 3 amps max on 219b’s. And yes they’re probably still the best choice for high CRI lighting. Oslon has some that are higher, but folks don’t seem to do much with them. Wonder why that is?

4

Thanks for the answer. What other driver you would recommend?

5

A simple nanjg105c moded to offtime memory would be a good Choice for a driver.

Have you Seen this:

6

If you contact member Dr. Jones here on BLF, see if he can sell you a driver flashed with his guppydrv. Plenty of modes and a 6x7135 driver will not overdrive the Nichia 219B.

I believe Dr Jones is in the EU, so he would be easier on shipping. Below are the modes available with guppydrv universal.

User Selectable Groups:
1.2% - 25% - 100% | Memory
2.100% - 25% - 2% | No Memory
3.2% - 25% - 100% - Strobe - Beacon | Memory
4.2% - 25% - 100% - Strobe - Beacon | No Memory
5.15% - 100% | Memory
6.100% - 15% | No Memory
7.100% Only
8.100% - Strobe | No Memory
9.Strobe - 100% | No Memory
10.ML - 5% - 33% - 100% | Memory
11.100% - 33% - 5% - ML | No Memory
12.ML - 5% - 33% - 100% - Strobe - Beacon | Memory
13.ML - 5% - 33% - 100% - Strobe - Beacon | No Memory
14.ML - 100% | No Memory
15.100% - ML | No Memory
16.ML - 100% | Memory
17.ML - 5% - 15% - 50% - 100% | Memory
18.ML - 5% - 15% - 50% - 100% | No Memory
19.100% - 50% - 15% - 5% - ML | Memory
20.100% - 50% - 15% - 5% - ML | No Memory
21.2% - 15% - 50% - 100% | Memory
22.2% - 15% - 50% - 100% | No Memory

7

Thank you very much for your input! I think I know the setup for now.

PS. Yes, I’ve seen Jaxman E2 - nice light, but for me little too long for 290lm output. I’d prefer 18350, lower low and exchange disco for more usable modes. On the other hand Jaxman E3 is very tempting on paper…except the price.

8

I do like those little 18350 sized lights…

I did a thread HERE on making a low amp triple in them as well… The triples have such a nice floody beam, it is a perfect match for a high CRI light… I am about to make one with my last 219B triple…

Let us know when you get it done!

9

Finally did it. Actually right now it’s revision 2 of the light.

Bought 18350 Convoy S2+ light from fasttech. After desoldering the driver (and trying to solder it again) - I know why it’s better to buy host :wink:

In the pill I put 3mm thick copper slug. Maybe not really needed in my case, but I have many of those.

I used Nichia 219B 4000K from the first post - I absolutely love that tint. Have other lights (like Astrolux S41, or custom-made Nichia triple 4500K), but still it’s the best tint I own.

Driver - first I installed standard Convoy 7135*4, but I was missing moonlight mode. That’s why I switched to another custom driver - also 7135*4.

Added round magnet to the tailcap and also magnets to the clip - these are perfect

Overall - happy with the light. And now modding others, just finished Hugsby V1, but that’s another story.