[PART 2] Official BLF GT Group Buy thread. Closed, but Public sales open!

[Ratus]

For those, like Kingjohn, wondering on what to get to flash firmware to their drivers.

I’ve been posting answers to this on reddit for awhile now

But here are a few links to what you need for around $4+/-

Aliexpress hardware links:

Get the phone/tablet app, it sometimes discounts the price, it’s easier to keep track of orders and to upload photos if you have to dispute an order.

Store A:

• USBASP AVR Programmer $1.40

• SOIC 8 Programmer Clip $1.80

• 20cm Jumper Wire $1.00

About $4.20 shipped.

or

Store B:

• USBASP AVR Programmer $1.52

• SOIC 8 Programmer Clip $1.60

• 20cm Jumper Wire $0.84

For around $3.96 + 0.22 shipping = $4.18

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Prices checked 05-01-2018

[teacher]

@Texas_Ace

@aoakeson

Thanks for the update. I am assuming this is only for the actual GT lights right? Im guessing all orders for accessories and such are still on the way?

Correct, only for the missing packages from the 1st and 3nd batches, there are about 10-12 of them total last I checked.

Is that a typo TA?? Did you mean “2nd”?? <span class=““3nd” not”>

[Texas_Ace]

@teacher

@Texas_Ace

@aoakeson

Thanks for the update. I am assuming this is only for the actual GT lights right? Im guessing all orders for accessories and such are still on the way?

Correct, only for the missing packages from the 1st and 3nd batches, there are about 10-12 of them total last I checked.

Is that a typo TA?? Did you mean “2nd”?? <span class=““3nd” not”>

Opps, my bad, yes 2nd.

[Precision777]

Started charging the batteries late last night……only 2 left to go……then the FUN Begins!!

[teacher]

[okreddirt]

It would be great if they put the GT bag and lense cap cover out there too(amazon) I still need to order those.

[Coyotehawk]

All three lights showed up today.
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Wife called me F’n stupid.

[Nav88]

I’m planning to pick up my GT from the post office tomorrow morning. Do I need to run it in with the reflector/glass removed to burn off any excess flux, or is this a non-issue now? I remember reading a post from an earlier lot where initial power-up made some smoke. I’d hate to immediately foul up the new light.

[koenigsegg]

@Nav88

I’m planning to pick up my GT from the post office tomorrow morning. Do I need to run it in with the reflector/glass removed to burn off any excess flux, or is this a non-issue now? I remember reading a post from an earlier lot where initial power-up made some smoke. I’d hate to immediately foul up the new light.

I did not do this and I haven’t had any issues so far, got it yesterday

[JasonWW]

@Nav88

I’m planning to pick up my GT from the post office tomorrow morning. Do I need to run it in with the reflector/glass removed to burn off any excess flux, or is this a non-issue now? I remember reading a post from an earlier lot where initial power-up made some smoke. I’d hate to immediately foul up the new light.

I think 99% of all the buyers don’t take the head off to check for excess flux. Plus there have been zero reports of anybody’s reflector actually getting smoked up and needing to be replaced. If this did happen and your reflector got ruined, Lumintop would be obligated to send a replacement reflector to you.

It certainly doesn’t hurt to put the lower part of the head, what we call the light engine, into a padded vice and then twist the larger, upper proportion of the head loose. One person might be able to do it, but two people twisting on it would probably be better. Once it’s been loosened, it’s easy to just thread off the entire head and reflector assembly and set it aside. Then you can check under the black centering ring for excess flux. If there is some, just wipe it off, then you can put it all back together and not have any worries about it.

[Nav88]

Thanks JasonWW. That puts the issue in perspective and my concerns to rest. I’ll probably skip the disassembly.

[Birddog]

Got my light today and all I can say is wow!

[mikelights]

if i were to contact DHL on behalf of my order how do i specify my exact order if i don’t have any info pertaining to it?

[koenigsegg]

@mikelights

if i were to contact DHL on behalf of my order how do i specify my exact order if i don’t have any info pertaining to it?

They just asked me the Name and Dest Zip

[danallen]

I ordered mine today. I guess I might get a tracking number, but might not. I am not going to try contacting Neil or anyone else for anything. I think the best bet is to sit tight and let the process run. Seems like it is has done alright so far without my intervention.

Delivery to my apartment can be a problem, because the door to my building is locked and there is no one there to open it for deliveries. Usually the delivery people manage to get into the building. I wish I had a way to coordinate this with dhl. I am not worried, just saying what my situation is.

[danallen]

@koenigsegg

@mikelights

if i were to contact DHL on behalf of my order how do i specify my exact order if i don’t have any info pertaining to it?

They just asked me the Name and Dest Zip

When did you place your order?

[td1042k]

@Coyotehawk

All three lights showed up today.
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Wife called me F’n stupid.

My fiancee looked at mine tailstanding next to the lamp on the night stand and said “good Lord that thing is almost as big as the lamp”, rolled her eyes and walked out to the other room

[teacher]

@danallen

I ordered mine today. I guess I might get a tracking number, but might not. I am not going to try contacting Neil or anyone else for anything. I think the best bet is to sit tight and let the process run. Seems like it is has done alright so far without my intervention.

I like this!! :+1: …

@danallen

Delivery to my apartment can be a problem, because the door to my building is locked and there is no one there to open it for deliveries. Usually the delivery people manage to get into the building. I wish I had a way to coordinate this with dhl. I am not worried, just saying what my situation is.

Many times you will receive a text message from DHL at least 24 hours before delivery…. especially here in the USA. There are options for alternative delivery destinations and/or other arrangements.

[koenigsegg]

@danallen

@koenigsegg

@mikelights

if i were to contact DHL on behalf of my order how do i specify my exact order if i don’t have any info pertaining to it?

They just asked me the Name and Dest Zip

When did you place your order?

Batch 3. April 19th. I was able to call DHL about a week after the order. I think the shipping label was made around April 28th. Light shipped on May 4th and was here on the 7th

[BoxCarWillie]

@JasonWW

@BoxCarWillie

Have another question about one of the Samsung INR18650-35E batteries I received with my GT. After using (2) XTAR SV2 chargers for charging (4) of the batteries that I pulled out one of the holders, I charged them on a 1A charge until 100. Took them off and measured the voltages. 3 of the 4 were showing 4.106V-4.195V, but the other cell was showing 4.050V? I then stuck it back on the charger and it said it was 80 charged.

So, I am letting it charge again to 100% and will take another measurement. Does this sound like this battery may have an issue? Not sure if this is normal as I have only used mainly protected cells!

That’s very odd. I also have a pair of SV2 Chargers. Mine are very consistent in that the termination voltage is right at 4.18 to 4.20.

Are your chargers brand new and this is the first time you’ve ever used them? Or maybe this is the first time you’ve ever checked the termination voltage?

If one or both chargers are that far off in voltage then you may have an issue with the charger and might need to get it replaced. I would try and verify if it’s a issue with the charger or the battery by charging up some other batteries and seeing what they end up at. Also you can wait till the battery is charged up to about 97% to 99% and check the voltage on the charger. The last stage of charging is constant voltage (CV) so it should maintain 4.20 volts as it slowly reduces the amperage. If the charger is putting out less than 4.17v let’s say, then you might have a bad charger.

If you verify that the charger is doing the correct voltage then you might have to worry about the battery. Make sure the terminal connections on the charger and the battery are nice and clean. Sometimes you can get residue from the sticker that interferes with the connection. Once the connections are clean and it still doesn’t want to charge up very close to 4.2 volts, then there could be an issue with excess resistance through the added-on button top. That is a whole other subject though, so let’s wait and see if one of the earlier things I mentioned is the cause.

Hi Jason, My SV2 chargers are fairly new. I have used them around 8 times or so to charge up my KeepPower protected cells. Never had any issues with them!

Here is what I did after I had charged the first (4) Samsung INR18650-35E batteries:

I made sure that all connections were cleaned on both chargers and batteries. My A/C voltage measured at 115V. I pluged both chargers to same outlet. Setting the output current to 1A on chargers, I took a reading with my Fluke 177 DMM on the voltage output of each charger. I also marked each charger as A and B. The voltage reading for charger (A) was 4.925V and charger (B) was 4.885V. This is with no batteries in slots!

I then took a voltage reading on the (4) other batteries that I was getting ready to charge. One battery measured 3.552V and the other (3) were identical at 3.551V. I then placed the batteries in both chargers. The charger indicated that all (4) batteries were at 14% and the voltage reading was at 3.61V with batteries connected and charging.

As of now, charger (A) is showing left battery at 47% with 3.831V being pushed on that battery, and right side is showing 50% with 3.843V being pushed on that cell.

Charger (B) is showing left cell at 51% with 3.857V and right cell is at 53% with 3.866V being pushed on battery.

I’ll take some more measurements when the batteries are at around 98%

I also took another measurement of the first set of (4) batteries that were charged up last night and here are the readings: 4.08V, 4.093V, 4.164V, and 4.172V