Oh, no, it’s not that. I was just wondering if I could maybe get current regulation instead of PWM for all the modes, for the extra efficiency, but it looks like it’s not so easy to find those drivers.
I see.
Extra efficiency for lower currents like let's say a 0.5A mode, would be a buck driver, which can convert efficiently from the 4.2Vin to the low voltage (like 2.85V) that a 0.5A output current needs, slightly simplified but that would be the extra efficient one.
Thanks for that. I’ll do some reading on this stuff and see if I can find something at Aqualab
LD-25:
https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10001997/1143103-1-lithium-2-group-3-5-mode-2-6a-led-flashlight
Also here (but 5 pc. mininum):
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shipping-LD25-Flashlight-circuit-board/330416_1018316904.html#
Wait a minute, according to that the currents can be fully customized for all modes, that’s a winner!
Video here (posted by NikolaS in a different thread about the new version EE X6 XP-L HI (post #236):
Yeah, I saw that vid. All I would need is to do is to lower the High mode to some 1.6-1.7A and that would be perfect!
It also has over discharge protection apparently, and I like the mode groups too, working very much like the Convoy S2+ with the 105C driver
And then there’s the price, only 5 bucks, simply perfect. Thanks guys!
Yeah there’s a link to the video on the LD25 driver page in Simon’s Convoy aliexpress store (that I linked above)
Its also on his thread about the driver: video of LD25 output current setting ,wish you success!
What I noticed is that the Fasttech one is not entirely the same as Simon’s. The FT’s chip reads “112 T70 N03G” while Simon’s is “215 T70 N03G”
Does anyone know if they’re both adjustable or if that makes any difference?
EDIT: Oh, looks like those fisrt 3 numbers are the manufacturing date of the mosfet or something
Yes it appears there is a “new version” of the LD25…maybe…
here’s some quotes from that other thread (New EE X6 XP-L HI) I linked above:
(post #56):
(although with the above quote I think he means the driver in the X6 XP-L HI version is an improvement over the PWM driver in the standard XML2 version, “improved” because its a different driver altogether)
(post #70):
With this quote I’m not sure if it means the LD25 driver is improved/upgraded, or if its just that now they know how to reprogram the current settings and squeeze an extra .5A out of it.
-
Then there’s this quote:
(post #272):
-
I think it probably is upgraded but I’m not sure if this improved LD25 being discussed is exclusive to Eagle Eyes or if its the same one Simon or FT is selling…
Simon’s lists: “output current:MAX 3000mA” and FT lists: “output Current 2600 mA”
So neither of those reflect the quote “LD25 3.5A current can now be done, do not worry”
Well, I personally don’t care if it can do 3A or 3.5A. I’m looking to run some 1.7A, 1.0A, 100mA
I’ll ask at the FT’s forums in case anyone can confirm it’s adjustable
Right. For you I only mentioned the 3A or 3.5A difference to help in determining if there’s an upgraded version. Please post back here when you find out about the FT driver.
I will. Here’s the link to the thread
https://www.fasttech.com/forums/1143103/t/1913213/is-this-driver-adjustable
…now that I notice, according to the specs in the product page it’s direct drive, not even constant current. Weird
Pointing the light directly in to a smartphone camera is a pretty decent way to detect PWM. It looks like this due to the electronic rolling shutter. A camera app that lets you set the shutter speed very high manually is optimal, but most auto-exposure cameras will set the shutter speed pretty high if you shine a flashlight in to the lens.
I think the original marketing copy was saying “no PWM flicker”, meaning that no flickering is visible to the naked eye. That would be true at 15kHz.
Wha? I see that, that is weird. I’d guess it’s a misprint, which I think is not unusual for FT descriptions.
In the EE X6 XP-L HI thread I linked above, where I first noticed the video, I think someone confirmed its CC, it’s definitely not DD.
Thanks for the tip. I tried that with my other flashlights and I could definitely see that patter with PWM modes
Yeah, it has to be a misprint. The HKJ review of the driver is pretty clear.
Now I have another problem. Apparently the UF F13 can only fit 20mm drivers, oh well… off to search for a way to adapt a 17mm driver there
EDIT: solution found right here at BLF. I love these boards! http://intl-outdoor.com/17mm-to-20mm-brass-ring-driver-adapter-2pcs-p-804.html
I’m getting confused by this discussion. The FT driver that was linked above:
https://www.fasttech.com/forums/1143103/t/1913213/is-this-driver-adjustable
appears to be a FET/direct drive driver. You can see the big 3-pin IC with the tab, which I think is the FET. So it’s not constant current, and probably controls light output via PWM. It looks like it’s a 2-board driver, so the controller is probably on the 2nd board that you can see from the side view.
Well, I’m probably more confused than you, LOL
I know next to nothing about these things, isn’t that FT LD-25 the same as this one?
Since you analyze it, then you also must see the sense resistor in 0.025 Ohms in series with the MOSFET, so it cannot be direct drive. Having a sense resistor implies regulation, certainly excludes what is called direct drive.
Ahh. Ok, thanks :)…