Got my Shocker - a comparison... plus a question

LED Flashlights – General Info
41

I am charging cells now. With cells at 4V, things dropped out a lot. The carrier has been modified with copper braid on all springs. Emitter wires are 20 gauge as well.
I suspect the emitter centering spacers need to be thinned down some. The emitters look like they might be a little too far away from the reflector. Hard to tell though…

42

About 6/13/2013, I think.

43

Really don't like the reflector design - I've seen plastic centering pieces like that steel lumens before, but somehow on the Shocker, it actually gets pretty good #'s. That big, flat reflector bottom really doesn't give you much options in getting the emitters deeper in.

44

My second Shocker was shipped 6/4, so it was probably from the same batch. CW w. AR lens, was about 135kcd as stock.

45

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I recall considering sanding town the spacers before, but decided against it due to the shorting risk. Bad, especially when using a DD driver.

46

Welli, this is going downhill fast (and more frustrating).

I setup another area, so that I could get 39 feet distance (11.887 meters), and got 96650 lux (so it’s worse :()…

47

This is really get me worried :frowning:

My Shocker should be shipped today…

48

Don't be worried. You will be amazed with the throw (and flood). :)

The difference between 100kcd and 130kcd is barely noticeable if you don't have a lux meter or another Shocker to compare side by side.. ;)

The 30% difference in kcd is only 14% in throw distance (720m vs 630m, both of which are very long to see clearly..)

Ps. Did you buy a DMM yet? [I wouldn't give anyone a Shocker (or any other multi cell light) if they are not able to monitor & match cell voltages]

49

Hi, thanks for the answer.

I really spend tons of money lately but i guess i will be buying multimeter and lightmeter as well :frowning:
Can you please tell me what is the purpose of using a dim, if you got HQ charger

http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10001638/1119502-nitecore-i4-v2-li-ion-ni-mh-ni-cd-smart-battery-ch

and

HQ batteries?

http://www.fasttech.com/product/1141104-panasonic-ncr18650b-protected-rechargeable-3400mah

they charge and stop charge/discharge at needed levels automatic, sorry im new to this stuff.

50

The basic assumption is that something may go wrong while charging. Something may be wrong with the protection circuits. Checking voltages with DMM will then save you from this kind of situation.

=>

Having a DMM & using it every time when inserting cells to a multi-cell light is a cheap health insurance.

Almost any DMM is good enough for testing voltages. Prices start from $10, so that shouldn't be an issue. (DMMs are also commonly used & sold, so the competition keeps prices low => A DMM can be bought from your local shops quite affordably. For example: Finland is a expensive country, but I can go to this local shop and buy a reliable DMM for 9.99€)

51

Thanks, can you please link me some free shipping decent units worldwide shipping? thanks one more time.

52

Here's one at FT.

53

???xpg direct driven with two 18350s? This confused me a bit. Have you paralleled them?

54

Hi,

Sorry I got confused. The STL-V6 was originally using 2 batteries, but when I went to DD it, I now use 1 battery, either 1x18650 (w/adapter) or 1x26650.

Jim

55

Hi,

Well I ordered another lux meter today (similar to the one I have from Gamesalor, but with non-detachable sensor), to try to compare results.

56

Here’re my latest measurements, at 11.887 meters, with several lights and batteries:
Light Details Battery lux at 11.887m lux at 1m
BTU Shocker BTU Driver, NO LENS 3 x Efest 18650, partly charged 684 96650
BTU Shocker BTU Driver, w/lens, magnets on batteries 3 x Efest 18650, fully charged 745 105269
BTU Shocker BTU Driver, w/lens 3 x CGR 18650, fully charged 725 102443
HD2010 EAST-092/Stock Driver 1 x KK 26650, fully charged 340 48042
Short STL-V6 DD - w/UCP/p, cleaned/improved thermal compound 1 x KK 26650, fully charged 385 54401

So, the BTU Shocker is still coming in with ~100 Klux.

And for comparison/benchmarking/calibration, the HD2010 is at 48042 lux.

So, assuming that the HD2010 lux looks ok, this implies that the Shocker lux should be accurate. If that’s the case, then my Shocker seems to be underperforming vs. expectations.

I’ve now tried:

  • Measuring at longer distance ==> no major change
  • Magnets on batteries ==> no major change

What other factors could cause the lower-than-expected lux?

57

Thanks, is that unit better then this one?

http://dx.com/p/2-8-lcd-current-voltage-capacitance-resistance-digital-multimeter-1-6f22-32417?utm_rid=89131453&utm_sid=1&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=dealextreme

@ Ohaya, sorry for hijack bro, its my last post about stuff other then your shocker!

58

I think it is. Both are ok for voltage measurements. FT one should be better for current measurements. And FT should ship faster as DX doesn't have that in stock.. (7-10 days means not in stock)

59

I can see that RIC’s beer on recently but he’s not answered pm. Time to start disassemble?

60

I read that as "been" and "dispute".. Autocowreck?

IMHO there's no reason for dispute. At least not before you are 100% sure about the accuracy of your lux meter. HD2010 reading might be 20% under.. Maybe you could send your light to some BLF member near you and see what his meter says?