I was just curious if anyone has a list or can point me to one that has <$100 Lights that run constant current/constant output drivers. Think non FET lights that don’t rely on 7135s either.
Looks like some of Simon’s newer Convoy drivers are now constant current with Biscotti and temp regulation which is nice.
Any others?
Off the top of my head…Acebeam’s L series (L16, 17-L19, L35, L30), Sofirn Sc35 I think, Convoys L21A or others with the boost HX or CSLPM1. The Manta Ray xhp70.2 lights sold on Kaidomain, Sofirn SP33 v2.
Anything with buck or boost is constant current… So all of zebralight and olight afaik (correct me if I’m wrong here)
This will also include the original XHP35 BLF GT
Hank’s got some current regulated drivers without fets for various versions of his lights
Worth noting that many constant current drivers not using 7135s use a FET or two to regulate the output… But it’s a bit different than the basically direct drive fet modes we’re more familiar with here
Most Thrunite lights fall into that category I think. I have their TH30 headlamp, a Cat V6 and the TC15v2 and all are regulated output. Just looking at a few other lights I have…..the Sofirn IF25 and Rofis MR70 are constant current.
Drivers with 7135 are constant current as well. Maybe you mean switching drivers?
I may have gotten my terminology mixed up. I’m looking for lights that have constant output as the battery voltage goes down.
Skilhunt
That’s interesting, the Skilhunt H04RC and M200 can take up to 8.4v so I guess they fall into this category.
7135 will do this. They keep the output constant until the voltage is too low.
EAGTAC S25L-R, Viking 2.5 Pro, ACEBEAM H10, EAGTAC T25L-R, Imalent DN70, Olight H2R, ACEBEAM K30, H15, Zebralight lights.
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Not in the way that I want.
This is from a 7135 based C8 : https://zeroair.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/zeroair_reviews_convoy_c8...
I want a flat line closer to this: https://zeroair.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/zeroair_reviews_skilhunt_...
The C8+ is kind of an odd light, my example has much worse runtime than the same light engine in my S2+. I suppose it depends on the light and LED but I consider the 7135*6 (*4/*3/*2) regulated, if very inefficient.
Parametrek flashlight filter may be helpful, it has an option under features to check regulation: http://flashlights.parametrek.com/index.html?lumens=_,_,dec&features=reg...
You can then filter by battery, price, etc. to narrow down to a list of potential lights.
Some of those listed have only limited regulation in the parametrek site.
Agreed, I was taking a peek at a few of them and the Wurkkos FC11 came up which while it may have some form of regulation, it isn’t flat at all.
FC11 has FET driver. It has not regulation.
I know they’re at the top end of your price requirement, but the new FireFlies models (like the E12R, T9R, and NOV-MU) have a 6-amp constant current buck driver (plus a FET if you want a bit of Turbo action). My review of the T9R is up, hopefully I’ll have the others wrapped up in a few days.
A bit less expensive, the Convoy M21C-U is regulated (an efficient boost driver) and very nice.
I have been thinking of the M21C non U as I have read great things about it’s driver.
Thank you for the options!
EDIT: I didn’t realize the M21C-U was the same cost as the non-U. I prefer side switch lights.
The T9R – Man how do you use that light though? I guess if you just never look directly at it, you can maybe forget how ugly it is?
Also I can’t understand why they have a FET mode on the NOV-MU. Already someone on Reddit has fried emitters.
I thankfully have not fried mine during runtime tests, but I could see that being a concern. I’ll probably never actually use turbo on mine. It’s got a FET because they plopped the exact same driver in several lights without any modifications. Honestly, even if you’re not going make hardware changes, I would probably eliminate the FET channel using a custom config file. But in talking with loneoceans, I don’t think he even knew that the driver was going to be used in something like the NOV-MU. I’m sure he would have gladly tweaked the config if they had approached him about it.
Yeah, he doesn’t like FETs much to begin with, does he?
The driver is just entirely poorly suited to the NOV-MU. 6A is awful low for 21 emitters, but the FET channel wide-open is probably a bit much. Especially with how good 21700s are.
I love DC constant current drivers.
The ones I’m using are Convoy’s new 5A and 6A drivers, ramping drivers, Sofirn SP31, SP32, SP33V2, SP33S, SP35, SC21 and C01S. Furthermore, SP35 and SC21 can operate stably with constant current even with an external power supply from USB (excluding turbo). I use SP33V2 as a lumen standard.
I forgot another important thing.
When Anduril is physically turned on, it always starts with 7135 ×1 and there is no PWM (however, manual memory mode is OFF). I often use this brightness regularly. It’s also useful when comparing flashlights.
Serious flashlight addict.
Is there a list of current Convoys that have the 5a/6a drivers? I realized that the store listings don’t always put it in the title/product description, and I had to message Simon for clarification.
All power sources is measured in watts, but not in rigged flashlight world
Armytek flashlights and headlamps…
Convoy driver sold separately on Aliexpress
It is in Accessories (1) of “Convoy flashlight Store”.
Serious flashlight addict.
The convoy driver mentioned here is not the 5A driver in the s2+, right?
That’s just a linear driver, no buck or boost?
My complements to OP, best question posted on this forum in a long time.
Great replies also.
Convoy’s 5A and 6A drivers are perfectly linear. It seems to be mainly used for S2 +.
Interesting is the 4-mode driver for the Optimus T2, which works as a constant current boost driver (0.5A) for eneloop and as PWM (1.5A) for lithium-ion batteries.
Serious flashlight addict.
Perfectly linear? I’m assuming you’re referring to the output…
Still doesn’t answer my question. Is it a buck, boost, or does it just burn off the voltage (linear drop off)?
They're linear drivers. The 22mm 8A driver is the only buck driver from Convoy for 3v leds.
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