The Thorfire's modes are just about perfect, but man that driver is noisy in the middle two modes (I have the 4 mode version). Am I the only one who can hear it? I can hear some of the fast PWM 7135 and FET drivers in the middle modes (you're hearing the springs and capacitors resonate), but this is louder than those.
I have a XinTD C8 V4 with the Qlite driver from IOS which I can hear the noise in Medium mode in my right ear, but I can’t hear it in my left ear, funny isn’t it?
Thorfires typically don’t have removable drivers, whereas most Convoys use the venerable and programmable 105C driver.
I own several Thorfires (not the C8), and the Convoys i own are superior
Didn’t mean to bring up an old thread, but I have been searching for information on this 4 mode driver, with little luck so far. Also to say that I’ve bought 3 of these since July, 2 this month, and they all have had a removable Alum pill.
With discounts they are $13 on Amazon occasionally, and as far as I can tell, at least the host is almost identical to the Convoy. Very good machining, and anodizing.
Anyway, if someone could direct me to more information on this driver, I would appreciate it. I bought 2 for gifts, but I think I might keep one to play with.
This is a good question.
At this moment guys, confirmed what you wrote above ?
Convoy is better? (except for moonlight/firefly mode)
well I know I said I’ll choose thorfire for moonlight.
but it kinda changed. I would go with convoy now mainly because once I learned how to program my own modes then the nanjg board with attiny13a is kinda important to me now.
and yea. go convoy
Convoy. Simon really cares. :bigsmile:
Nanjg are so easy to mod with more 7135’s or 7138’s or a fet, and flash custom flashed firmware…
The integrated shelf for heat sinking is the better design.
If no driver mod is possible the Thorfire with the 4mode driver…
Very nice and it also makes 2.8A on high which gives around 1000lm stock. The mode memory on stockfirmware nanjg is a bit weird.
I just have got a C8 and The matblackanodizing is also cool and unique on the thorfire. It’s pretty solid in every way, in stock form. Came with smooth reflector and lubed well.
As a mod host I would just grab what is cheaper.
That is why I am curious about the driver. I can only pull 2.2A on a fresh samsung 30b, or any battery I have. The driver is rated 2.8. Is it my battery?
Thanks
Unfortunately I don’t believe these drivers can be easily modified for more current.
Could you tell me where can I find a code for the C8?
Have you heavy leads for measuring current? the driver is very voltage sensitive, that means that if your wire steal some hundred millivolts the current is reduced.
—-
I will disassemble my c8 for review in the next days so I can then post details over my driver. But I have to say that I am also unsure which light has which driver for the Thorfire lights. Maybe I will write them a question.
I got a 4mode with memory(fifth mode is strobe if you double click fast)
A nice driver.
I made some short 12ga copper romex leads for my Fluke DMM. From reviews I’ve read, 2.2A at tailcap is average. I’d be curious to see what your readings are.
As far as models: Thorfire “C8” is the 3/5 mode. The “C8s” is the 4 mode, which is what I have. I really like this style, as you can tell I’ve bought 3, lol.
+1
I think the same. The finish is beautyfull.
Convoy is just black?
I didn’t knew That, I like it that they marked the model with an additional S.
I get around 2.2 with a protected ncrB and with a 30Q or a 4.35V battery I get around 2.65A.
I just dissassembled the light and took a picture of the driver from the C8s the overall build quality is super.
I took some measurements on a powersupply to get a clue how voltage dependent that driver is:
3.5V 1.6A
3.6V 1.8A
3.7V 2A
3.8V 2.24A
3.9V 2.45A
4V 2.65A
4.1V 2.9A
4.2V 3.1A
The voltage is measured on top of the driverspring and the current is just what my powersupply showed. I used my testing LED on a heavy heatsink.
The springs have high resistance and should be bypassed.
I just soldered two R100 resistors on top of the R056 and did a springbypass.
After that I got
3.8V 2.6A
3.9V 3A
4.1 3.4A
Nice…that for reporting back Werner.
Thanks for taking the time Werner!
Pictures of this driver, in the different reviews I’ve read on this model, all have been slightly different. This one appears to be the same (accept a big dollop of thermal compound I have on mine).
Can someone tell me the case size of these resistors? And just for my lack of general knowledge, an R100 is .1ohm, R200 is .2ohm, etc?
Thanks
The Size of the resistor is 1206.
And yes the R is the decimalpoint, so the stock driver has a R056 resistor which are 0.056Ohm. I used two R100 on top to half the stock resistance.
A lot of people just short these small resistors with a blob of solder or similiar, I feel better if the driver has a defined resistance.
I recently got hold of a ThorFire C8s and I believe, if comparing stock lights, the C8s is the better light to the Convoy C8.
The C8s takes 1x 18650 or 2x CR123A - so more flexibility here
moonlight is awesome, overall build quality is better than my C8.
My C8 also doesn’t take unprotected short 18650 (needs a spacer or some aluminium foil in between to make it fit).
Thorfire must use different drivers in their C8’s. Mine works the same as my Convoy C8 with the Nanjg 105C driver: low/medium/high with hidden strobes.