Getting BACK into flashlights

[TacticalTorchTickler]

Yo! I’ve been out of the hobby for a while because of life stuff that made me lose interest. Recently got back into it and I hope to stay now.

Just got a D4K in antique copper with 3500k 519a emitters a few days ago, and I’m thinking of trying to mod one of my Convoys soon. Also got a Nichia Wizard Pro which I really like. I want to get more high CRI stuff, and maybe more alternative metal stuff.

My interests are getting to the point where I can’t really find exactly what I want, so I’m gonna have to result to modding, and that’s gonna be a whole new rabbit hole.

[EDIT] I also want to attempt to learn some basic pcb design because I think it would be awesome to make a driver. If anyone has any resources for learning, I’d certainly appreciate it! I know almost nothing about it as of now.

[INeedMoreLumens]

Welcome back!

[iamlucky13]

@TacticalTorchTickler

I also want to attempt to learn some basic pcb design because I think it would be awesome to make a driver.

When time allows, I’d like to dip my toe a little further into the modding waters by building one of these simple drivers:

AA Flashlights - "Cockroach" / "Vampire" / "Drain-me-till-I'm-empty"

A member here approached me about making a low output, long runtime boost driver to fit the Convoy T2 (aka Manta Ray S1, also available as a host at Kaidomain). Target output was ~1 lumen. No mode switching. Currently 17mm but could be made to be 15mm or about any size. I went through a couple iterations and ended up creating one that ran an XM-L2 at 2.5mA for ~0.7 lumen for 98 hours on a 900 mAh AAA Eneloop Pro. So on a AA battery, it should run for 12+ days. It runs down to ~0.7 V. Current i…

Might be a an easy place to start in terms of understanding one of the simpler circuits, and assembling small surface mount components.

[Marc_E]

Welcome back

@TacticalTorchTickler

and I’m thinking of trying to mod one of my Convoys soon

Do it!

Modding is the rabbit hole you suspect but rewarding and fun if you do it right. Also incredibly frustrating if you do it right too (Or is that if you do it wrong, i never can tell!)

[James_C]

Welcome back! We look forward to seeing some mods

[TacticalTorchTickler]

@iamlucky13

Might be a an easy place to start in terms of understanding one of the simpler circuits, and assembling small surface mount components.

That looks like a great starting point, thanks I’m going to look into that later!

Also thanks ya’ll for the warm welcome I’ll post if I make anything interesting