Is my Convoy S2+ Faulty?

Jack_Kellar · 2019-02-10T21:59:52.000Z

AltaLumen:

Thanks for all of the help, guys.

I went ahead and ordered a 7135 x8 driver w/ Biscotti firmware to replace the one that is presumably faulty in the S2+ I purchased from Gearbest.

and a Convoy S2+ with the SST-20 4000k emitter and 7135 x4 driver with Biscotti firmware.

Beautiful. I got that exact driver to replace the 3/5 I had on my first S2 – I have another one with 7135x6 Biscotti but this one has sentimental value (and the LED tint is rosier and nicer) –, and since I did the swap I’ve been enjoying it a lot. It’s been my go-to biking light in these final days of Daylight Savings Time when it’s complete darkness before 6AM (I leave the house between 5:30 and 5:45AM, when there’s barely a hint of dawn in the sky).

Just be careful not to run it pell mell at 100% power too long, the S2+ doesn’t have the cooling potential to safely maintain that much output. I like to keep my S2 at mode group 8 (max mode 50% of full power) and will do the same when my Nichia S2+ gets to me.

AltaLumen · 2019-02-10T22:07:19.000Z

Yeah, I’ll probably leave it on mode 8 as well. How do you find the 7145 x6? Are you able to leave it at 100% for any longer?

When on 50% power with the 7135 x8 can you run it continuously?

Cheers!

SIGShooter · 2019-02-10T22:24:44.000Z

AltaLumen:

Yeah, I’ll probably leave it on mode 8 as well. How do you find the 7145 x6? Are you able to leave it at 100% for any longer?

When on 50% power with the 7135 x8 can you run it continuously?

Cheers!

It depends. I had a 7145 x6 turn on in my jacket by accident and it was too hot to hold after it was on for guessing 5 to 10 minutes. I had to hold it with my jacket sleeve just to be able to turn it to off. But holding it in my hand on other occasions, it was hot but bearable to hold.

AltaLumen · 2019-02-10T22:33:23.000Z

I see, so it depends whether or not it’s connected to the human heat sink. cool.

Jack_Kellar · 2019-02-10T22:36:56.000Z

AltaLumen:

Yeah, I’ll probably leave it on mode 8 as well. How do you find the 7145 x6? Are you able to leave it at 100% for any longer?

When on 50% power with the 7135 x8 can you run it continuously?

Cheers!

I’d gone for it for heating reasons, but once I found a temperature test that indicated an S2+ in x6 reaching the same risky max temperature as x8 but a bit slower, I decided “bugger it” and went for x8 when I got the new drivers. I did notice the x8 being marginally brighter than the x6 on 10% mode and above.

On 50% it’s like you’re running a 7135x4 at full blast, which is very much tried and safe. During my 15-ish minute morning commute, it doesn’t even get warm. And the battery lasts forever. Not bad at all for swapping about 25% perceived brightness for more or less 2 more hours of runtime :laughing:

DOC1500 · 2019-02-11T00:21:39.000Z

AltaLumen:

Thanks for all of the help, guys.

I went ahead and ordered a 7135 x8 driver w/ Biscotti firmware to replace the one that is presumably faulty in the S2+ I purchased from Gearbest.

and a Convoy S2+ with the SST-20 4000k emitter and 7135 x4 driver with Biscotti firmware

I ordered from AliExpress the same above ^
(2)S2+ 7135x8 And
(1)S2+ 7135x3
Two weeks ago and found out they’re on Chinese New Year vacation for a month. I think they’ll be back the 12th February

AltaLumen · 2019-02-11T00:56:59.000Z

Nice. I’m looking forward to a high quality 4000 kelvin light. The SST-20 also looks to be efficient, with a higher lumen output than the 219C, I think.

Lexel · 2019-02-11T01:06:26.000Z

most things with LVP faults come from a defect on the voltage divider,
the S2+ should have 19.1k and 4.7k to generate about 0.7V on MCU pin 7 which gets compared to a internal voltage reference
it happens that one resistor end is not correctly reflow soldered and does not give electrical contact, as the LVP ready low this has to be on the 19.1k resistor

toddcshoe · 2019-02-11T01:17:47.000Z

AltaLumen:

Nice. I’m looking forward to a high quality 4000 kelvin light. The SST-20 also looks to be efficient, with a higher lumen output than the 219C, I think.

I have a Samsung LH351D 5000K 90cri I believe. A friend bought a bunch and sent a few my way. I can send you one on a 16mm Mountain board if you would like to try it out. No charge or anything. I don’t have any 4000K emitters but I don’t mind flowing a emitter on a board for you if it would make your light more enjoyable. Just PM an address and I can get it in the mail sometime tomorrow.

I put that emitter in a few of my Jetbeam Jet-I MK and they are quite pleasant.

AltaLumen · 2019-02-11T01:22:51.000Z

Lexel, my technical expertise is wood science (it’s true! Lol), so, I immensely appreciate your response, but have no idea what it means.

Lexel · 2019-02-11T01:26:49.000Z

AltaLumen:

Lexel, my technical expertise is wood science (it’s true! Lol), so, I immensely appreciate your response, but have no idea what it means.

go to your garage
take a soldering iron, with a small tip
stick it to the tiny part with 28C or 223 marking on both sides and see if that fixes the problem
holding the resistor with tweezers is helpful if you hit the good side it becomes loose if other is not soldered right

RobertB · 2019-02-11T01:36:14.000Z

Somewhat suspicious of the EVVA cell. This guy’s D4s with a EVVA 26650 is doing the exact same thing, and purchased from the same place. Probably just a coincidence though

You won’t hit 3A charging a cell phone like you would on the flashlight

AltaLumen · 2019-02-11T02:00:48.000Z

Toddcshoe, that’s incredibly generous! I’d love to try that! I’m such a newbie that I have to ask what diameter this would be? Would it fit in the S2+?

AltaLumen · 2019-02-11T03:31:34.000Z

Lexel:

AltaLumen:

Lexel, my technical expertise is wood science (it’s true! Lol), so, I immensely appreciate your response, but have no idea what it means.

go to your garage
take a soldering iron, with a small tip
stick it to the tiny part with 28C or 223 marking on both sides and see if that fixes the problem
holding the resistor with tweezers is helpful if you hit the good side it becomes loose if other is not soldered right

Interesting. I’ll try that tomorrow if possible. I’ll PM you wish quesrions I’d o ya e any troubles :-/. Thanks so much

EDIT: yikes, I only had one beer when I wrote that - I swear…

Interesting. I’ll try that tomorrow if possible. I’ll PM you wish questions if I have any troubles :-/. Thanks so much!

AltaLumen · 2019-02-11T02:10:00.000Z

RobertB:

Somewhat suspicious of the EVVA cell. This guy’s D4s with a EVVA 26650 is doing the exact same thing, and purchased from the same place. Probably just a coincidence though

You won’t hit 3A charging a cell phone like you would on the flashlight

Hmmmm. Well, I ordered the cell based on mtn’s reputation, which I assume is good. You’re right though. I don’t have any other way to test the discharge ability of the cell. All I know is that it seems to charge normally and charged my cell phone fine from the Nitecore F2… that’s about a 1A draw. Maybe the flashlight driver is trying to start at 2800mA (100%) and the cell is too worn for that???

BlueSwordM · 2019-02-11T02:12:34.000Z

Nah, it’s probably not the battery.

Probably something else in the driver.

AltaLumen · 2019-02-11T04:11:05.000Z

[quote=Jack Kellar]

AltaLumen:

Just be careful not to run it pell mell at 100% power too long, the S2+ doesn’t have the cooling potential to safely maintain that much output. I like to keep my S2 at mode group 8 (max mode 50% of full power) and will do the same when my Nichia S2+ gets to me.

Did you order the Nichia with a 7135 x8?

Jack_Kellar · 2019-02-11T04:14:36.000Z

AltaLumen:

Jack Kellar:

Just be careful not to run it pell mell at 100% power too long, the S2+ doesn’t have the cooling potential to safely maintain that much output. I like to keep my S2 at mode group 8 (max mode 50% of full power) and will do the same when my Nichia S2+ gets to me.

Did you order the Nichia with a 7135 x8?

Sure did. Mostly my lumen usage is modest (below 10%), but if I need the extra blast (well, as much ‘blast’ as you can get from a Nichia anyway), it’s a quick mode selection away.

AltaLumen · 2019-02-11T04:25:13.000Z

RobertB:

Somewhat suspicious of the EVVA cell. This guy’s D4s with a EVVA 26650 is doing the exact same thing, and purchased from the same place. Probably just a coincidence though

You won’t hit 3A charging a cell phone like you would on the flashlight

Out of curiousity, where do you get your batteries? I have two more of the exact same batteries on the way from Mtn Electronics. I’ll charge those up and see if I get the same result. Unfortunately, these are my first and only 18650s, so I don’t have anything else to try.

RobertB · 2019-02-11T07:21:05.000Z

AltaLumen:

RobertB:

Somewhat suspicious of the EVVA cell. This guy’s D4s with a EVVA 26650 is doing the exact same thing, and purchased from the same place. Probably just a coincidence though

You won’t hit 3A charging a cell phone like you would on the flashlight

Out of curiousity, where do you get your batteries? I have two more of the exact same batteries on the way from Mtn Electronics. I’ll charge those up and see if I get the same result. Unfortunately, these are my first and only 18650s, so I don’t have anything else to try.

I’m sure there are some local vape shops in Calgary. You could go over and try a fully charged unprotected 18650, like a high drain Samsung, LG or Sony, and rule out a battery problem.