There already exist plenty of tutorials on modifying the current supplied by Convoy’s FET-based linear drivers, by swapping a sense resistor. This makes these drivers incredibly versatile for a wide range of emitters, but unfortunately, they are quite inefficient for emitters with low forward voltage.
Can a similar modification be performed on the 17mm 5A or 8A buck drivers? If you’ve attempted such a mod or have guesses based on examining driver circuitry, I’d love to hear your thoughts. The 8A driver has pretty bad mode spacings on the low end, so if one can increase current from the 5A driver, it would seem an excellent substitute.
It’s a MP2145 or a Chinese clone (likely), rated for 6A, you can modify the target current like with the linear drivers you mentioned, only up to 6A though.
I made a flex PCB for T1616 for the gtfc40 driver a good while ago, ordered the pcbs, then the driver, but the one i received was QFN so i coudn’t try it.
couldn’t put it above the original footprint so it’s deported, i planed to add some glue/potting to thermally join it to the board.
anyway, something like this should be possible for this driver too.
Ah, shit, I forgot the MCU is also the temp sensor. That makes it more difficult. I did not expect the Sonix MCU to be this small, the package looked larger on pictures I was hoping one could fit the new chip inside the old footprint.
Maybe it’s possible to make it work with the footprint on top of each others, even if there is no space around it for the connections, by not using the thermal pad and put the vias there. Maybe adding some soldermask to be sure no vias make electrical contacts to either thermal pads. It’s not like the thermal pad has much use anyway.
BTW that’s what Zebralight does, route tracks and vias under the MCU’s thermal pad.
I was hoping one could fit the new chip inside the old footprint.