Hello! I have scoured this forum and others for days and have not really found the info I need for my build.
I have an S21A host with a Luminus SST-40 emitter. The cell I will be using is a Molicel 21700 P42A. I will be using it for EDC, but also using it as an armed guard, so I want to be able to push the turbo hard if needed. I was aiming for ~2000 lm max with this build, but decent runtimes at lower output and a good moonlight mode. I see that you really don’t want to let the SST-40 go over 8A.
I ordered the Convoy 20mm 7135*8 LED DRIVER from Mtn Electronics for it. I ordered before realizing it only puts out 3A. I also ordered a few 17mm DrJones H17Fx Drivers, which can be adapted to be 20mm.
My question, would the Convoy 7135*8 give me what I need? Could I use the H17Fx driver or will it burn up the SST-40? I don’t mind getting a different driver, or even a different emitter if it means getting the build the way I want.
FYI… this is my first flashlight build but know my way around a soldering station and PCBs. Thank you so much for any input you may have. I’m really excited about getting started in this hobby!! I’ve been a flashlight nerd for a while and am finally getting into building some!
A SST40 at 3A would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 1200LM.
Standard from Convoy the S21A/SST40 would come with a 6A driver and get you near 2000LM.
I haven’t run a single Emitter on a DD FET enabled driver before.
There’s a good chance the SST40 will burn up because you’re running a high discharge 21700 cell.
My suggestion would be to build it with the 3A driver and if it’s not bright enough, order a 6A 12group driver from Convoy.
Thank you! I realized that neither of the drivers I ordered would really work for what I want. Doh! My current EDC already puts out 1200, and I’d like to build a more powerful one, of course! Thank you for your input.
Thanks!
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I was going to make more welcome messages with monsters from the RE universe, but people on BLF suggested to just use pics of Milla, so that’s what I did.
Agreed, the 6 amp Convoy driver would be a great choice for the SST-40. With the H17Fx driver and the Molicel 21700 P42A, you will probably burn out the LED if you put in direct drive mode.
I think if you’re going to order from Convoy, pick up an SFT40 or 2 on 20mm mcpcb if you burn out the SST40 with the Dr Jones driver. SFT40s can handle everything that sweet driver can dish out! I have a few S21As with 519As and another with an XH-P 50 (80+ CRI), 6V MtnFET and a narrow angle Carlco sanded TIR.
I didn’t understand about the photos! Now I know why
@JoeScar412 My Convoy S21A by default brings the 6A and as they say the 3A will fall short, but I’m new too, I’ve already bought a bunch of flashlights
Richard’s ominous warning gave me pause using a direct drive driver and a 45 amp capable battery with a single SST-40:
Low Forward Voltage Current Warning!
Due to the extremely low forward voltage of this LED, some care needs to be taken when used with a high drain 18650 or most 26650 or larger cells: even with perfect heatsinking (better than what you can get in most flashlights), the LED will usually die at around 9.5A, which can be exceeded with a good battery and low resistance setup. It is recommended to run the LED at around 8A-8.5A maximum continuous, even with good heatsinking. This means that with some builds you may have to add some resistance to your system, with thinner and longer wires, less efficient bypasses, etc.
And I don’t think you would even notice a difference in output between 6 and 8 amps. But I understand the appeal of the DrJones driver over the Convoy.
Thanks! Ive thought about getting the sft-40. That’s a great option. I cant seem to find the convoy 6A anywhere I know of beside ali express. Maybe Mauser has some. Ill check it out!
I’ve been looking for a 20mm 6A driver like you guys have recommended. The only one I’ve been able to find is in the AE Convoy store has a side switch wired to it. Can I use that? Or is there a different one I should get for the S21A? The link is the one I’ve found so far. Thanks!
Get this one for SST40:
20mm Driver for SST40 ,12groups , max current output 6000mA, Temperature protection management inside https://a.aliexpress.com/_mteTVac