Which 17mm driver these days?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

I have a number of lights I’d like to replace the driver in (all mechanic switches). Many Convoys with the annoying 3/5 mode driver and some other torches with drivers that have failed or just aren’t up to the job.

Previously I’d have used the A17DD-L FET+1 (aka the BLF A6 driver). I have this in loads of lights and it is arguably my favourite driver in “any” light. For the simple reason you know what mode the light will turn on. For pocket EDC lights I program to start on low. For anything C8 sized (coat pocket non EDC) set to come on High. You can change modes quickly and easily and go in either direction. It really is a super driver. e.g. in my BLF A6, I know it’ll come on in moon, but if I want Turbo it is only two clicks from off, so essentially you can go to either extreme with ease. I also like the fact you can go moonlight to slightly brighter, then back to moonlight. I use this all the time in the house.

Sadly, I can’t seem to find this driver. Banggood is where I’ve been buying them from. But they are showing as out of stock and the date keeps on moving.

They are not expensive, but are maybe a little more pricey than some other drivers. I used to use the Qlite 3.04 from Int’l Outdoor and have this in a few lights. The modes are good, but I HATE mode memory, as you never know what output the light will be in when you turn it on.

Anyone suggest which drivers I should go for?

Mostly I’m replacing drivers on CREE XP-L/XM-L2 etc. So direct drive Turbo mode is fine. Although I’d like some options to maybe use some other emitters also, be it higher volts ones or ones that need current limiting.

Are any of the Convoy drivers worth looking at?

This one looks interesting:

5amp. Able to disable memory and modes look good. How would this be in a Convoy S2+ with an XM-L2?

This one says 8amp, I assume I could use it with other LEDs. Looks to have a different UI to the one above, but still seems like it would do what I want.

This one says it works with an XHP70.2 on 1 x Li-ion, which sounds interesting. Is the XHP70.2 a higher voltage LED to an XP-L? What other LEDs could I use this driver with?

2

That XHP70.2 one is 22mm - you got me excited there for a second! I think that’s the one I’m supposed to have arriving today.

So is the 8 Amp one (22mm), I’ve got that one sitting here to possibly go into my Convoy Z1.

This one I have used and it is 17mm https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000879891929.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.4.34b92b4fI2AB8J&pdp_npi=2%40dis!GBP!￡5.64!￡5.64!!!!!%400b0a0ac216654934113635111e3d29!10000010462853277!sh

It’s a bit undersized (have a read of the reviews- closer to 16mm). I’m the one who couldn’t get it to hit 5 Amps in one flashlight driving an SST40 - perhaps something to do with the SST40 as it was drawing similar current when in the Z1. I am using that driver with a Cree XHP50.2 (3V version, they’re only available in around 6500k) -which may be a cheap copy of an XHP50.2? Either way, it’s supplying 5 Amps to that LED and works nicely.

3

Maybe I’m missing something, but why not richards 17mm driver? FET + 7135 Driver - 17mm - MTN-17DDm
You can have your favorite a6 firmware on it, but maybe shipping to you in the uk will be a deal killer?

4

For 17mm BLF style drivers, these days you have to get OshPark boards and reflow and flash them yourself, if you want the best components.

The two best available options in 17mm are Del’s shared boards and Texas Ace’s boards.

These drivers are sub optimal in my opinion, for the following reasons: no R5 to limit transients, and they use a poor performing FET which is not 2.5V rated: IRLR8726TRLPBF.

5

$10.75 for the driver is a bit pricey. Double the cost of the Convoy drivers and $3 more than Banggood.

However it doesn’t look like they even ship to the UK.

6

Chicken Drumstick you say you don’t like the memory on the Qlite 3.04A driver… could you disable the mode memory on it?

7

Thanks. Not sure that’ll work. It isn’t a next mode memory. But a proper memory on the last mode you used.

The issue I have is. Just because it was the last mode I used. It doesn’t mean it will be the mode I want next time I turn it on. Example being. Used it outdoors on high. Go to bed, wake up and want low. But turning it on will be max output. And no way around it.

8

Richard used to ship just about everywhere (with heavy restrictions on batteries of course). I’m not sure what to make of his site info at the moment….main int’l page has the UK crossed out, but Ireland is still available…then on the secondary page UK is presumably available. He’s updated it at least fairly recently to reflect Russia/Ukraine, but I’d send him a message to ask, if he has a driver you’re interested in. I’ve only had a handful from him but they’ve all been great and even though the firmware selection is a bit dated now, it’s nice to have some of the options (as well as his custom options).

http://mtnelectronics.com/internationalshipping.htm

9

Driver deficit really happens!

Led4Power said that there is lack of chips on the market. His driver store is also down…

10

I remember speaking to the guys at MTN about 12 or so months ago. There are 2 reason for them stopping (at that time) that I am aware of.
The first is that alot of small packages were getting lost in transit I know that in around a 8-10 month period 3 packages I ordered didn’t arrive and were considered lost in transit. Also with the UK leaving the EU the UK made it so companies from outside the UK should add VAT to their products and then the company is responsible for paying that to HMRC, whilst this doesn’t seem to have stopped alot of non UK sellers, and HMRC will still invoice you for non VAT paid import orders MTN saw it as alot of extra work for what was essentially a very small market. It’s a shame I a did order alot from them and never has issues until I moved to Northampton, that’s when I found alot of my orders got lost. I now have a number of projects that are unfinished because driver options and availability isn’t that great without them, atleast not for the types of drivers I want.
Is there anyone on here who makes drivers? I’ve been away from this site for a while so not familiar with who makes what these days.

11

I’d love to find some good dual fuel drivers optimized for 1x18650/2xCR123 usage…

12

Oh, I forgot about the VAT thing but yeah I can imagine that’s a lot of extra hassle for him (to say nothing of dealing with lost parcels…that’s enough of a problem for domestic service, I know).

I don’t think anyone is making drivers now. Led4Power closed up shop at the first of the year…possibility of reopening but it’s looking doubtful. He had some red tape with local business laws but I think was also affected by component availability. The LoneOcean driver is open source as are some that thefreeman put together, but you’d have to order the boards and components separately (or use a service that can provide and assemble them). Quadrupel might have offered something similar. Other than that, Simon, Hank, and Kaidomain, or begging other manufacturers for spare drivers if they’re willing to sell them.

13

Are 1-mode drivers out of the question? With those, I always know what mode they’ll start in. :laughing:

14

I am lucky enough to have a couple of friends that live state side so ‘can’ get things but requires shipping to them and then arranging shipping to me, not world ending but a fair bit of hassle. I guess if there are no other options then I’d have to go down that route.
Depending on what I can find, if I go down the order to a friend’s route then I’ll put a post up here for anyone who may want to jump in aswell (if that’s allowed by forum rules).

15

They list Australia on their approved list and the Australian gov is the same and expects overseas businesses to collect GST (our VAT) for them. I think it’s not policed very well here and smaller items gets through. AliExpress collects the GST.