This light doesn’t have any third party drivers available right now. It’s designed to run three LEDs in parallel all at once, so the multicolored board you linked wouldn’t really work.
I would like to replace both the emitter and driver.
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Hoarding is a behavior where people or animals accumulate food or other items.
JC (from JC Customs) is putting boards with secondary emitters in the FW3A. I know he’s been recompiling Anduril to allow control over the secondaries.
Supposedly it’s just a flag that needs to be set in the source code. I haven’t downloaded it myself in order to see how easy it is to read (and compile).
For anyone who may have missed it.. there’s really a simple, cheap, and effective switch boot mod for reducing – or in my case eliminating – accidental activation.
Carefully disassemble the tailcap, keeping track of the ‘nubin’ (tiny, tiny plastic cylinder) but removing it. Then filling the cavity in the rubber boot with a thin rubber disc. I used an random o-ring and sliced piece of silicon wire insulation. I’ve found the best results with a flush fill level. I can imagine slicing a pencil eraser with a razor blade would be a simple DIY option for almost anyone willing to attempt the mod. Reversible and nearly free. Quiets the switch a bit too, but YMMV
For anyone who may have missed it.. there’s really a simple, cheap, and effective switch boot mod for reducing – or in my case eliminating – accidental activation.
Carefully disassemble the tailcap, keeping track of the ‘nubin’ (tiny, tiny plastic cylinder) but removing it. Then filling the cavity in the rubber boot with a thin rubber disc. I used an random o-ring and sliced piece of silicon wire insulation. I’ve found the best results with a flush fill level. I can imagine slicing a pencil eraser with a razor blade would be a simple DIY option for almost anyone willing to attempt the mod. Reversible and nearly free. Quiets the switch a bit too, but YMMV
Had a extra FW3A carcass/parts laying around…. guppydrv3 and one of Neven’s lighted tail caps…
Meh… it will make a decent knock around/work light…
Does it turn on? What carcass parts did you keep and what did you swap out ? Maybe I can copy or we can combine :).
My parts might be still good but just don’t know how to troubleshoot it.
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Hoarding is a behavior where people or animals accumulate food or other items.
Had a extra FW3A carcass/parts laying around…. guppydrv3 and one of Neven’s lighted tail caps…
Meh… it will make a decent knock around/work light…
Does it turn on? What carcass parts did you keep and what did you swap out ? Maybe I can copy or we can combine :).
My parts might be still good but just don’t know how to troubleshoot it.
Used the driver, mcpcb out of a FW3A to make the FW3/NovaTac
Yep the push button FW3 works well even with the Lumintop 18350 tube..
If you need parts (fast) get in touch with Victor Zhou at Lumintop.. Neal is a busy man…
That’s really cool. So anduril Novatac? Dang. I want one
Thanks it is very cool and tough, it needs to be where I work…
You can still find them on E-Bay sometimes dirt cheap.. but so far just the silver/gold aluminum bezels, the Black bezel is SS and they polish up nicely… wish I could get a hold of a Black NovaTac…or even something similar…
I made extra pills and purchased extra drivers and boards… just in case..
Yes. I’ll do up a small post with a how to.. check back later.
UPDATE
I’ve revisited the design for creating a nubbin’ replacement that is simpler and (hopefully) universal. I had gone through many trial and error iterations and just stopped once I found a working combination. Turns out only one part of that configuration is needed. That’s the o-ring. 1/16” nominal thickness a 3/16” ID. Industry size -008.
Just remove the nubbin’ and insert said o-ring into the nubbin’ cavity of the switch boot. Carefully reassemble tailcap following guidelines mentioned in multiple fw3a threads. Enjoy the switch actuation that should have always been.
I did a quick search and they can be found on eBay for $2.50 per 10 shipped to US. Hardware or automotive stores will likely have something suitable as well.
Previous post updated. I tried the pencil eraser idea and while it was better than a stock nubbin’ setup, the o-ring really is the trick. What’s needed is pressure to be applied close to the perimeter of the diaphragm switch. This effectively reduces the lever arm/mechanical advantage of the switch, thereby increasing activation pressure. Also, since it’s rubber and not hard plastic, the actuation is also quieter. I’m going to suggest Neal makes these available in his store, or better yet, included in the spare parts bag.
I would like to replace both the emitter and driver.
---------------------
Hoarding is a behavior where people or animals accumulate food or other items.
JC (from JC Customs) is putting boards with secondary emitters in the FW3A. I know he’s been recompiling Anduril to allow control over the secondaries.
Not sure what board he’s using though.
Link to pic (can’t get it to embed, sorry)
https://imgur.com/gallery/zAol51B
It’s the mtn electronics triple board. Afaik he either doesn’t share his source or no one that owns one has asked for it. We have discussed it already
Supposedly it’s just a flag that needs to be set in the source code. I haven’t downloaded it myself in order to see how easy it is to read (and compile).
Had a extra FW3A carcass/parts laying around…. guppydrv3 and one of Neven’s lighted tail caps…
KB1428 “Live Life WOT”
I am surprised, no flashlight out there uses triple led and has same form factor?
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Hoarding is a behavior where people or animals accumulate food or other items.
Made stainless steel button ring for protecting against accidental activation.
Wow! How did you make that!
I have big 60 year old lathe at work. Used piece of stainless steel bar. Will glue it to flashlight and see how I like it.
How can you make more! I need one!
For anyone who may have missed it.. there’s really a simple, cheap, and effective switch boot mod for reducing – or in my case eliminating – accidental activation.
Carefully disassemble the tailcap, keeping track of the ‘nubin’ (tiny, tiny plastic cylinder) but removing it. Then filling the cavity in the rubber boot with a thin rubber disc. I used an random o-ring and sliced piece of silicon wire insulation. I’ve found the best results with a flush fill level. I can imagine slicing a pencil eraser with a razor blade would be a simple DIY option for almost anyone willing to attempt the mod. Reversible and nearly free. Quiets the switch a bit too, but YMMV
After mine tipped and dented a table top I made it a 3D printed bumper. Now it lands soft enough to not leave a dent.
Really? This really works?
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Hoarding is a behavior where people or animals accumulate food or other items.
KB1428 “Live Life WOT”
That’s really cool. So anduril Novatac? Dang. I want one
Thanks it is very cool and tough, it needs to be where I work… You can still find them on E-Bay sometimes dirt cheap.. but so far just the silver/gold aluminum bezels, the Black bezel is SS and they polish up nicely… wish I could get a hold of a Black NovaTac…or even something similar… I made extra pills and purchased extra drivers and boards… just in case..
KB1428 “Live Life WOT”
@Gunga
Yes. I’ll do up a small post with a how to.. check back later.
UPDATE
I’ve revisited the design for creating a nubbin’ replacement that is simpler and (hopefully) universal. I had gone through many trial and error iterations and just stopped once I found a working combination. Turns out only one part of that configuration is needed. That’s the o-ring. 1/16” nominal thickness a 3/16” ID. Industry size -008.
Just remove the nubbin’ and insert said o-ring into the nubbin’ cavity of the switch boot. Carefully reassemble tailcap following guidelines mentioned in multiple fw3a threads. Enjoy the switch actuation that should have always been.
I did a quick search and they can be found on eBay for $2.50 per 10 shipped to US. Hardware or automotive stores will likely have something suitable as well.
Looking forward to it!
Is that a 2-way clip for FW3A?
Yes, check the drop down list.
https://www.nealsgadgets.com/collections/blf/products/fw3a-tube-bezel-cl...
"America has three cities, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland."- Tennessee Williams
Wow, that’s gorgeous! Amazing. Reminds me of HDS, yet, superior because of that amazing Anduril UI.
There are 18350 tubes available from Neal now, though grey alu only.
Thanks, that’s exactly what I was going for.
"America has three cities, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland."- Tennessee Williams
Can you please advise what size of a copper slug is needed?
Have one Novatac, dead, coming my way and i wanted to do the same thing but i have no lathe.
A guy i know has but i need exact measurements... if you could...
WTB Titanium 4sevens 2xAA tube
Better you strip your head out when you get it, then decide if this is the route you want to go…
There is quite a bit of lathe work the way I did mine… but then I can make different light engines and just swap them in and out…
KB1428 “Live Life WOT”
"America has three cities, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland."- Tennessee Williams
Previous post updated. I tried the pencil eraser idea and while it was better than a stock nubbin’ setup, the o-ring really is the trick. What’s needed is pressure to be applied close to the perimeter of the diaphragm switch. This effectively reduces the lever arm/mechanical advantage of the switch, thereby increasing activation pressure. Also, since it’s rubber and not hard plastic, the actuation is also quieter. I’m going to suggest Neal makes these available in his store, or better yet, included in the spare parts bag.
any local SF bay area modder? looking for help on my fw3a. Please pm me. thanks.
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Hoarding is a behavior where people or animals accumulate food or other items.
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