Hi, I just got some CNQG brass AA lights (as announced by Ric here). It’s probably best known by this picture:
For what it’s worth, here is my own size comparison for it. From left to right, they are: Convoy S7 w/ clip, Cypreus Tri-EDC (copper) w/ clip, original 18650 CNQG Brass Beauty, 1xAA CNQG Brass light, L3 L10. Aside from the small size (roughly on par with a L3 L10!), it also shows the difference in color between aged copper, aged brass, and shiny new brass.
They’re fairly decent as-is, but I’m hoping to mod them. Ideally, custom firmware and a Nichia 219B emitter and probably some diffuser film on the lens.
First, the light is small and pretty and works well on Eneloops. I haven’t tried a 14500 cell, since the spec sheet doesn’t indicate they would be compatible.
I got three units, because Banggood had a good sale on them. One uses XP-G, the others use XP-G2. I think the tint is 2C (~5600K), though it wasn’t specified. It’s a bit cooler than a 3B and slightly warmer than a 2A.
What I can’t figure out is what the MCU is. It’s not a common attiny13a so it won’t be able to use the common firmwares BLF has made, but I don’t know what it is or if it’s flashable. I see two 6-pin chips on the driver:
Any idea what kind of chip is controlling it? I might be able to get the label from the sanded-off chip by opening the other two lights, but I’m not sure if they’ll be any different.
If the MCU won’t be reflashable, I wonder if there might be other drivers available in this size (14mm). I think I saw some custom BLF drivers for 1xAA lights, and may need to look them up again.
I measured the lumen output of the two XP-G2 units (my XP-G is still in pieces for pictures), and got the following:
- Low: 7.12 to 7.50 lm
- Med: 100 to 110 lm
- High: 178 to 200 lm
The second light either had a higher charge on the battery or had higher output natively, I’m not sure. In any case, this should give a ballpark idea what the output is… roughly 3.75, 55, and 100. I’d prefer if the medium mode was more like 20 or 25%, and if it had an additional moon mode.
These lights use PWM, and it’s kind of slow and audible. What I measured was:
- Low: 298 to 305 Hz (varies per unit)
- Med: 984 to 1000 Hz
- High: None
The lights each came with a bunch of extra O-rings and a spare lens. This is good, since some of the installed O-rings were broken, and I plan on putting DC-Fix on the lens. And if the size is right, I may have some other uses for the extra lenses.
I’m looking forward to using these as mod hosts, after I figure out what I need to do to change the firmware or the driver. They’re small and pretty and good candidates for some upgrades.
Update: It’s not an MCU, and won’t be reflashable. To change the UI it’ll need a different driver entirely. There are some very helpful posts in this thread, especially #77.