DRY turbo driver in a TR-3T6?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

I searched unsuccessfully for the answer to this question so I'll ask it now.

Unfortunately I'm not in a position to take advantage of the DRY group buy at this time so I thought, "why not just buy the 4-mode DRY driver with turbo step-down and put in my TR-3T6?".

Has anyone with a TR-3T6 done this yet or at least purchased a DRY driver with the intention to do it? I'm curious of your success or failure before getting my hopes up on it. I'm sure the TR-3T6 can handle the extra heat especially with the 20 second step-down circuit in the DRY driver. If the driver fits well I could have my cake and eat it too!

Would be nice to use that driver in other torches, too, like a triple XM-L Mag or a custom triple SAiK.

Johnny

2

The DRY driver is a three-cell-only driver, so you would need to run the extension.

It is physically just a bit smaller in diameter than the driver you want to replace, so you may need to fab a retaining ring.

Otherwise, it seems like a great swap.

3

Be careful with those DRY drivers I cooked one very easily modding another light with it.

4

Really, Erik? What happened ?

5

I think that's a fantastic idea - if you don't mind the extension...

6

I put it in a light and while testing with a homemade jumper I shorted it for a split second and fried. Totally my fault but it cooked in a millisecond, typically you get a spark, smoke or a pop this just let go. Probably because of the amount of juice 3 18650s flow compared to my usual single cell lights.

7

Gotcha, thanks.

I learned my lesson, using IMRs for testing. I actually melted the springs in a battery holder, and hot metal dripped on me. Only protected cells for my testing now.....

8

Yeah, that’s the only problem, the extension. So damned long and skinny with it but it is pretty balanced. One could run 3x18500 without the extension. Not quite the run time but it would be shorter.

9

Yeah, that’s what I wasn’t sure about, the driver diameter. So the stock 3T6 driver is 25mm while the DRY is 23mm? Hmm…I suppose one could cut a slice of 3/4" copper pipe to match the depth of the pill’s driver pocket then split the copper ring and open it up so it fits snug into the driver pocket. That would make the inner diameter just right for the DRY PCB. I haven’t taken my pill apart yet to examine it but it seems like that should work.

10

order one already

11

Is there any other driver which would accept 2-3 x 18650's, and have LMHT modes?

12

All of the others I am aware of are strictly regulated and do not have a “turbo” mode which is really just direct drive without any regulation. The Dry is the only one I know that does it and is the reason they are so much brighter than the other triple XM-L torches.

13

LOL…I just ordered a DRY instead. I’m afraid that if I change out the driver in the TR-3T6 I will lose the ability to run on less than 3 cells. I love the fact that my TR-3T6 can run on a single 18650 if it needs to. Would hate to be stuck in 3-cell long configuration forever. If it turns out the DRY can run on a single cell but with lower output I will consider it but I don’t think it can. If I happened to own two TR-3T6 torches than I’d DEFINITELY put a DRY driver in one of them! :slight_smile:

14

One of the Kaidomain $14 drivers just landed, and the plan is to put it into a popped Skyray.

It should work in the shorter config, unlike the DRY driver.

15

Any updates on this Chicago?

16

I haven't touched it in a while. Thanks for the reminder. :)

17

I have the same driver on the way for a cooked Skyray someone sent me a while ago. Please update if you can get it to work.Thanks.

18

I just found this thread searching for replacement TR 3T6 drivers. I checked the specs on the Dry driver and the voltage range is 7.4V-12.8V. Wouldn't that work in a 2 cell configuration then? The previous discussions claimed it would not.

Dry driver ---> TR 3T6

for 3*CREE XM-L T6 LED in series.

Input voltage:7.4V~12.8V

4 modes:

Lo----0.1A

Mid--0.5A

Hi-2.25A

Turbo--Direct Drive Max 4~5A; Turbo mode will step down to Hi mode after 120 secs in order to protect driver and emitter from burning.

With mode memory

19

So, what is best way to put DRY in host?

Pictures?

Please :slight_smile:

20

How did this turn out? I just got a 3x extension for my Sky Ray, should I order a DRY driver? I think I like my Trustfire as is, usable with 1,2,3x18650's, 3x18350's, 3x16340's, 4xAA's, or 2xAA's low mode.