Drop in for UltraFire A10?

Hello,

I have an UltraFire A10 Q5, and recently it fell from my daughter's hands and stopped working (when I shake it I can hear something being loose inside the module). What are my options? Is there a similar or better drop in (more lumens) that I can install, or I have to throw it away?

Mmm... did I open this topic in the wrong category???

erm im guessing a replacement pill would be slim pickens but id first look inside for an easy fix maybe driver or emitter upgrade is in its near future

Do I have any options for changing the entire module and not just the driver? For example, is there a compatible module with an XP-G?

Welcome you to BLF, taz.

So can I find a good replacement driver for the one in the picture above?

Decided to open the pill and see what is the damage:

Can anyone identify what driver is this? So thanks to the fall, the diode broke off, tested it with my DMM and it still works, so I am thinking either to solder back the diode, or to replace the 15mm driver with a better one (if there is a better one). Or, replace both the driver and the led maybe with an XML if there is such option. Anyone knows if there is a better 15mm driver, and if so which one? Or one that can drive an XML?

Are you planning to use it with a 14500, or just 1.2V / 1.5V AA?

I am (was) using it with protected 14500.

Then this driver is quite a good option: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-7v-6v-3w-cree-circuit-board-for-flashlights-15mm-2-7mm-25518

It's not capable of running on 1.2V / 1.5V batteries though. Only 14500's.

Is this better than the one the light came with? If so, in what sense? Can this drive also an XML, or I stick with the current led (which is fine for this size of light)?

Versus original one - it's regulated when running off a 14500 battery (the original boost driver is DD when Vbatt > Vf)

This not only can drive a XM-L, but will also be better with it! (due to lower Vf of XM-L, brightness will be stabilized for longer).

If you're good at soldering, you can also de-solder one of AMC7135 chips from that driver to extend runtime and make flashlight run cooler, at cost of -30% brightness.

A question I often have (noob here when it comes to flashlights so bare with me), what's the difference between regulated and direct drive?

I take it I also have to look for a 15mm xml led? (any ideas? )

I am good with soldering, however I prefer the brightness to the runtime, so I'll keep as is. Thanks for all the info!!!

Regulated = brightness stays constant until battery can't keep up anymore, direct drive = brightness depends on how charged battery is.

A lot of sites have 14mm XM-L's, for example here:

https://illuminationsupply.com/cree-xml-14mm-round-mcpcb-t5-3c-5000k-tint-p-60.html?zenid=715c46ffacf2f2fd559565b289c67a4d

Much appreciate the help Shadowww. 14mm is a standard, so mine must also have a 14mm led base inside, or this applies only to XML's? If mine is 15mm (it's a XRE), can I use a 14mm emitter base inside?

Yep you can use smaller base than it had originally, just make sure to center it well inside the reflector (otherwise you may get bad-looking beam).

I'd also recommend putting some thermal paste between it & pill, to increase heat transfer.