Illustrated Guide to update Wurkkos HD10 to latest Anduril 2.0 version

[sharov (Igor)]

I want to share how I updated to latest Anduril 2.0 version (2024-04-20) on my brand-new Wurkkos HD10 flashlight.

My flashlight is from a recent shipment with a hardware revision featuring contact pads.

The version of Anduril 2 I had was from 2023. Since I didn’t have a pogo pins, I made a connector using materials I had on hand—in this case, a connector from an ESP8266 board.

I bent its legs to create spring-loaded contacts, as shown in the photo.

When working with the programmer, I held the connector on the contact pads by hand, which was fine since all operations took just seconds.

For programming, I used pymcuprog because I already had Python installed on my Windows 11 PC. If you don’t have Python, install it from the official website with the obligatory default path settings.

Flashing hardware: CH340 USB to TTL programmer. After connecting it, check what port it got, Mine was COM4.

Let’s assemble the circuit as in the photo.

Resistor - 1K Ohm.

Don’t forget to bend the connector legs to create a makeshift spring connector.

After that, we will move on to the software part.

Run Windows Terminal (run - cmd)

Install pymcuprog:

pip3 install pymcuprog

To flash new Anduril 2.0 firmware, you only need a few commands:

1. Check the connection with the flashlight

pymcuprog ping -t uart -u com4 -d attiny1616

2. Save a backup of the current firmware

pymcuprog read -m flash -f hd10.hex -t uart -u com4 -d attiny1616

3. Clear the flash

pymcuprog erase -m flash -t uart -u com4 -d attiny1616

4. Write the new firmware

For this flashlight, the firmware from the TS10 with rgbaux works perfectly, as these flashlights are technically the same.
I took the firmware from the official Anduril website

Place the firmware file according to the path you are in the Windows terminal

pymcuprog write -f anduril.2024-04-20.wurkkos-ts10-rgbaux.hex -t uart -u com4 -d attiny1616

After these steps, I now have my little Wurkkos HD10 with the latest version of Anduril 2 2024-04-20 and the ability to update to an even newer version whenever it’s released.

I hope this guide is helpful to you. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to help.

[jon_slider]

this warning says Not to use anduril.2024-04-20.wurkkos-ts10-rgbaux.hex with new Wurkkos lights:

the version of firmware suggested to be safer is this one

[sharov (Igor)]

This warning is only relevant for the new Wurkkos TS10v2 Copper and possibly only for one batch. Why do you think that HD10 is affected too?

Update: After studying the topic, I decided not to take risks and reflashed my HD10 to a firmware that is safe for Turbo mode. Thank you for this warning.

[jon_slider]

@sharov

Why do you think that HD10 is affected too?

The reason the newer firmware with 50% FET is needed, for newer lights, is that Wurkkos received a newer batch of LEDs that are more prone to burning up on Turbo.

The Copper TS10 V2 was only the first of the models that now receive the new LEDs, and come with the new 50% FET firmware.

In my personal experience, not only my Copper TS10 V2 arrived with 50% FET firware.

My MAO TS10 V2 also arrived with 50% FET firmware.

My MAO HD10 also arrived with 50% FET firmware

In addition another member here, has receiceived a Green TS10 V2 with 50% FET firmware.

So basically, as Wurkkos has been producing new lights with the new batch of LEDs, they have been installing 50% FET firmware on the newly produced lights.

However, there are still some Wurkkos lights that are from previous production, and arrive with 2023 firmware.

Your HD10 came w 2023 firmware, and uses the older LEDs. It is probably fine for your light to use the standard 100% firmware you installed.

otoh, lights are now shipping with 2024 firmware, using a special 50% FET version, not the 100% FET firmware you installed on your light.

[sharov (Igor)]

Very useful information, thank you

I decided not to risk the flashlight and reflashed it to the firmware you recommended. How will this affect my flashlight, assuming it has old LEDs and can work with 100% FET firmware? Will it shine dimmer with 50% FET firmware or what?

Does this affect other light modes besides Turbo and strobe?

Is there a way to check if I had 50% FET firmware or not if I have original firmware backup in hex format?

[jon_slider]

@sharov

How will this affect my flashlight, assuming it has old LEDs and can work with 100% FET firmware? Will it shine dimmer with 50% FET firmware

yes,
50% lower lumens on Turbo…

if you have a lumen meter expect to see about 700 to 800 lumens on Turbo, and about 500 to 600 Lumens for Ceiling.

On my MAO TS10 V2, Turbo is 700 lumens and Ceiling is 500 lumens. The factory installed firmware is 0000-2024-04-20 (this is one of the version numbers with 50% FET limit.)

On my MAO HD10 the firmware version is 0713-0 (this is another of the 50% FET firmware version numbers). It produces a ceiling of 615 lumens and Turbo of 785 lumens.

@sharov

Does this affect other light modes besides Turbo and strobe?

Yes, it also affects Ceiling, because the. new maximum output is 700 to 800 lumens, so Ceiling will no longer be 900 lumens, it becomes about 500 to 600 lumens.

@sharov

Is there a way to check if I had 50% FET firmware or not if I have original firmware backup in hex format?

yes
if the firmware is a 2023 version, it allows 100% FET

and if you have the ability to measure lumens, you can expect to see about 1400 lumens for Turbo and about 900 lumens for Ceiling.

there are 3 different version numbers of 50% FET firmware, but none are from 2023.

The version number of the wurkkos-ts10-rgbaux-lowfet.hex firmware is 0712-2024-04-20 (this is the third version number used for the 50% FET firmware, and the only one with a public download link: https://github.com/SammysHP/anduril/releases/download/2024-04-20_wurkkos-ts10-rgbaux-lowfet/anduril.wurkkos-ts10-rgbaux-lowfet.hex

I like to use 50% FET firmware on all my TS10 lights, even when I have changed the LEDs to 519a. (modding pics here)

[sharov (Igor)]

@jon_slider

I like to use 50% FET firmware on all my TS10 lights, even when I have changed the LEDs to 519a.

Why?

@jon_slider

Yes, it also affects Ceiling

And the other modes, starting with moonlight and up to the 5th, are not affected? Does their output remain the same on any firmware?

@jon_slider

On my MAO HD10… It produces a ceiling of 615 lumens and Turbo of 785 lumens.

What do you use for measurements?

Have you tried installing a dangerous firmware on any of yours TS10s or HS10s? Does it really produce more than 2000 lumens?

[jon_slider]

@sharov

Why?

For me, the 50% lower maximum output, is an advantage for a few different reasons.
Less Heat, Less battery drain, Less blinding my eyes.

For how I use my TS10 sized lights, 300-400 lumens is more than enough. And because most of my use is indoors, I usually use less than 100 lumens.

The TS10 beam is very wide and floody, it does not reach very far. I consider higher lumens a waste of energy.

@sharov

Does their output remain the same on any firmware?

not exactly the same, because different firmware versions have slightly different ramping curves. On some firmware step 75 of 150 is the top of the regulated output, of about 95 lumens. On the latest firware, 95 lumens is at step 90 of 150.

Those differences mostly affect the spacing of lower modes… but I dont have detailed output tables.

@sharov

Does it really produce more than 2000 lumens?

I measure lumens with a home made adaptation of a light meter.

No, I do not believe that 2000 lumens is real… If it was, we would not be seeing the outputs I reported on my MAO HD10 V2 and MAO TS10 V2. As the implied goal is to prevent 2000 lumens and bring the new LED outputs down to the 1400 lumen specification. But what I have actually measured seems closer to 50% of 1400 lumens. Im not sure why.

imo what is actually happening is that the 50% FET firmware is actually producing about 50% lower output than the 1400 lumen specification. This totally contradicts the 2000 lumens claim.

@sharov

Have you tried installing a dangerous firmware on any of yours TS10s or HS10s?

no
I have not invested the time to research all of the detailed output differences between 2023-07-29 firmware that comes on some older lights, and the newer 2024 firmware w 100% FET, and the 2024 firmware with 50% FET.

I respect that you are asking very good questions, but I dont have all the answers you seek. I encourage you to develop a way to measure lumens for yourself. So you can do more detailed research.

you can also find more detailed lumens info by reading reviews, I particularly recommend reviews by zeroair.

Disclaimer, Im not a designer of the firmware, just a flashlight user with a meter.

The person with the most in depth details that actively answers questions here, is @SammysHP. Maybe he will stop by this thread and enlighten us with more accurate details.

And note that FET outputs (those above 95 lumens) also drift lower as the battery charge level goes down.

Maximum lumens change based on several variables. But imo maximum lumens is not a realistic way to use a TS10 size light.

Maximum is an UnSustainable output, thermal regulation will drop high outputs… Im more interested in Sustainable outputs, and for a TS10 size light, that is about 200 lumens.

[SammysHP]

With 100% FET, the specific batch of LEDs produced over 1800lm before being destroyed. The 50% version brought it back down to approximately 1300lm on a full battery. Remember that this is the peak value for the fist few seconds in turbo with a fully charged battery.

But as with all direct-drive drivers, it heavily depends on the characteristics of the LEDs and the battery.

[jon_slider]

@SammysHP

With 100% FET, the specific batch of LEDs produced over 1800lm before being destroyed. The 50% version brought it back down to approximately 1300lm on a full battery.

thank you, very helpful.
Glad to learn the 1800 lumen LEDs were discontinued.

My MAO HD10 and MAO TS10 V2 reach about 6-700 lumens on Turbo with a fresh battery…

It seems Wurkkos has continued to use the 50% FET firmware on lights built after the 1800 lumen LEDs were discarded. I dont mind.

[sharov (Igor)]

@jon_slider

My MAO HD10 and MAO TS10 V2 reach about 6-700 lumens on Turbo with a fresh battery…

What batteries do you use in your flashlights?

[jon_slider]

@sharov

What batteries

The Wurkkos 14500 that comes with the lights.

[sharov (Igor)]

@jon_slider

The Wurkkos 14500 that comes with the lights.

I can’t find the parameters of these batteries anywhere (I didn’t find this data on the official website), what is their peak discharge current (constant 3A, I know that)?
What is the normal and maximum charging current?

[jon_slider]

I dont know.

what is the purpose of your questions?

[Mandrake50]

Typically I just play it safe and use the old rule of about 0.5C charge rate. That would give about 450 mA. But I am sure that half an amp would be fine. That doesn’t answer the question about the “maximum” rate, but it is generally safe and relatively kind to the cells.

[sharov (Igor)]

@jon_slider

what is the purpose of your questions?

I want to select protected batteries that match the parameters of the original

[jon_slider]

@sharov

I want to select protected batteries

Why not use the stock battery?..

Why don’t you trust the built in Low Voltage Protection that Anduril provides?

fwiw, I sometimes use Lumintop 14500 USB-C batteries (they are protected), with Turbo disabled… (Turbo can trip the protection in the battery, IF the firmware is 100% FET, but Not if the firmware is 50% FET)

The Lumintop 14500 are actually rated for a higher CDR of 4A instead of 3A for the stock Wurkkos 14500 battery… But I dont use full power either way.

I like the USB charging when I travel, or if I gift a light to someone with no charger.

[sharov (Igor)]

@jon_slider

The Lumintop 14500 are actually rated for a higher CDR of 4A instead of 3A for the stock Wurkkos 14500 battery

By the way, this is another interesting topic. Am I right in understanding that a battery with more than 3A can damage a flashlight in Turbo mode?

After all, there is, for example, Vapcell H10 with a maximum current of 10A.

What will happen to a TS10 or HD10 flashlight in Turbo mode with such a battery?

[jon_slider]

I do not use H10 because I do not use Turbo. I use F12 because I do not use Turbo.

with 100% FET, Turbo is bad for the F12 (but not with 50% FET)

with 100% FET, H10 can be bad for the LEDs… (but not with 50% FET)

some more discussion:
vapcel H10 vs F12 for TS10

more answers from google

[Mandrake50]

@sharov

What will happen to a TS10 or HD10 flashlight in Turbo mode with such a battery

There were some reports of people burning their LEDs when using the H10 cell while using turbo. But it was not universal. I still wouldn’t recommend using Turbo with the 100% FET firmware. It is probably fine with the newer 50% FET firmware. But then, I don’t recommend using Turbo with the TS10 at all. If you don’t then the H10 is really not required. The f12 would be a better choice. Or if you don’t mind the price, maybe the F15.