How to check for correct LED and driver?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Hi guys,

I recently ordered and received the S2+ 18650 flashlight from Simon’s Aliexpress store. It was the 7135*8 circuit and XML2 T6-4C LED. I expected to see natural white but when I fired it up, the tint is noticeably yellowish. It’s different from the amber tint from tungsten light, it’s yellow. When I shine the line to a white object, it clearly becomes yellow. It kind of bothers me because I don’t like this yellowish color.

Is this normal for a 4C LED, or have they mistakenly put in a different LED? How do I tell?

Also, on the same note, how do you check if the correct driver is installed? Is there any code you can read?

Thanks.

2

Well, even within the 4C “bin” there is some deviation of color/tint. The first time I saw a 4C I had the same impression, I hated it. Now I like it a little better, as the novelty of blue-er led’s has worn off. Still, some 4C’s look awful and others look better. It’s unfortunately a bit of a lottery.

I would say it probably is a true 4C.

The driver we can be more sure about. I trust Simon at Convoy, but if you post a pic of the driver we should be able to confirm it.

Btw, welcome to BLF!

3

Thanks for the quick reply. It gives me a bit of relief that I didn’t receive the wrong item. Perhaps I’ll send a photo of the circuit for checking. I do feel that Simon is reliable and responsive; it’s just that he did miss one accessory item from the order so I wonder if the shipment got mixed up.

If I wanted to change out the LED, is it hard to do? Is there any tutorial on how to do it? Also, what would be a good LED for real neutral white and where to buy them?

4

driver: very visible what is inside, unscrew the light and get the pill out (or the retaining ring) and see what is inside

led: best comparison would be with different LEDs against the same wall. either the same LED tint multiple times or different tints and then spot the difference.

5

If it is an 8x by driver the pill shouldn’t need to be removed, should it? If the driver has 4 chips around the spring it’s the correct driver, yes?

6

Here’s the photo of the driver:

Imgur

7

fixed it for ya

8

My two 4C tint lights are yellow too. Straight up YELLOW. I really dislike that tint. I prefer the 3C tint over the 4C so much more.

9

How’s the 3C compared to the 4C? I’ve read that the 3C also had green/yellow tint. I’m thinking maybe to buy another one with the XML2 U2-1A.

10

If you look at the bin/tint charts here:

Until you get to 5B1 range where tint bins are much tighter:
There is quite a range of tints that will fit in the 3C bin.
I’ve had quite a few that look neutral and too many that look too green/yellow. I gave up on 3C a while ago.

I have had better luck (and tints) staying on the 3A/3D side than the 3B/3C side of the line. If there is a cast, it tends towards red/magenta & feels better.

For a warmer tint, 5C1 has been very consistent too. (tighter binning here)