So, I have a cheap zoomie that started all this. It cost £4.50 (~$6.50) delivered. Now that I have some good stuff this "poor relation" has become surplus to requirements, so it's time for a little experimentation mwahahaah !
I love fiddling with things and thought this would be a harmless and easy first try !
The driver and the star sit at either end of a lightweight aluminium tube and the only heat conduction path is through a ~1.5mm rebate that holds the star so I I'm definitely not looking to burn anyone's retinas out.
I was thinking a nice high CRI LED, perhaps a 219B or C would be a good idea. The light comes out completely without a hotspot so it would be quite handy to illuminate small jobs evenly with a pleasant even glow instead of the ugly pale blue/green yuch that came as standard.
Please let me know what components (inexpensive) you suggest and where to order them from (delivered to UK) I found some here at FastTech who seem reliable but would welcome other suggestions. Also, just how bad are the original components ??
Whats the diameter of that driver? If it’s 17mm you have plenty of driver options. The Nichia 219c is nice for zoomies, when the beam is focused it’s a much nicer solid uniform beam. I’d assume the 219b is the same but I have never used one.
Have you checked of that brass disk actually conducts electricity? Maybe it’s coated and does not? Or it wasn’t screwed on tight and rested on top of the silicon of the wires, never touching the solder joints.
Regarding the brass retaining disk, perhaps the OP did not realize the clear plastic disc behind it and dropped it or maybe it is stuck under the brass disc in the photo. All zoomies that I own have one.
Hi, the driver and the star are both 20mm. When I first looked at it the brass disc was completely loose, so I thin I nearly caused a disaster by nipping it tight ! I'll check the conductivity.
I would be interested to hear the suggestions as that is the same zoomie a buddy and I bought for work for about $9 a piece. It also started the chain of events that led me here. As low on the flashlight food chain as it is, it impresses those still carrying maglites and various incandescents.
Hi, there was no insulating disc.! Thanks for pointing that out. There must be something heat resistant enough to cut one out of. Maybe microwavable meal container... Perhaps I can get one with my driver order.
The LED is a lattice bright so its rubbish the driver is bad it only does 1.2 amp max I have used one. I bridged those resistors now I get 2.3 amps at the tailcap I had the same style set up with a ultrafire c8 with a hollow pill I kept the light it now has a xpg3 in it and an op reflector. Its actually not bad.you can turn the driver into direct drive I think I don’t know how but.
I thought I read on another thread about this light that by moving the wire on the LI LED- (blue wire in pics above) to the LED-, it would increase the output. But I maybe confusing 2 different threads :person_facepalming:
Does the Led sit on a shelf or is it hollow where the led sits? Practicing on these lights are okay only thing that is a pain is that you have to solder the driver to the body.
This parts information is what I'm looking for really. The only problem is Mountain Electronics postage charges to the UK would make the total bill about $30, (which would be OK in a decent host). I would get those parts or very similar and do it as they could also be re-used, but the total bill would be too much for this project.
Anyone know of a European or Chinese source for these (or similar) components ?
