I put together 2 S2s a few weeks ago and ended up with an issue that has me puzzled.
All parts were purchased from Mountain Electronics:
Convoy S2 hosts
Triple Samsung LH351Ds on Copper MCPCB (one in 5000K, the other 4000K)
MTN-17DDm drivers with standard firmware w/memory (6 modes total), memory and 60 second Turbo Timer with wires installed including spring bypass
2 Sony/Panasonic Protected NCR18650GA batteries
And of course spacers and optics
I also had switches with bypassed springs on hand.
I assembled the lights with artic silver compound, the only soldering I had to do was wires from the drivers onto the MCPCB.
After fully charging the batteries I tested the lights, initially everything looked fine, all modes correct from moonlight to 100%.
However I found one of the lights, when on 100% would turn off after 2 or 3 minutes (not step down, fully off). If switched off/on it would come back on at 100% but turn off again, more quickly the second time. If allowed to fully cool the cycle would repeat.
All other modes would remain on well past 5 minutes, issue only occurred on 100%.
Swapping batteries between lights then tail-caps made no difference, the issue remained with the light.
Thinking I had a bad solder at the MCPCB I disassembled and re-soldered both, no change.
My next thought was that the incident light may be drawing a bit more current tripping the protection circuit on the battery (rated 10A).
I put a fully charged Samsung 25R in and ran through all the modes leaving on high for about 5 minutes with no problem. It did appear to be noticeably brighter with the 25R but still more than bright enough with the protected cell.
I figured I had found the issue and was happy to live with it since I seldom use this type of light on 100%.
Out of curiosity I installed the 25R in the other light and ran through the modes, again admiring how bright it was with that battery.
This is where the real problem starts.
I reinstalled the protected cell in the light and right away noticed I lost moon mode, in fact there is little if any noticeable difference in the first 3 modes. Modes 4, 5 and 6 get progressively brighter.
Putting the other protected cell in the other light I get the same results.
Back to the 25R again and same results, 3 visibly identical modes followed by 3 progressively brighter modes.
I set the lights aside for a couple of weeks and took a look at them today to confirm what I’m seeing.
Measuring current draw through the modes with fully charged protected cells (Fluke meter with short, heavy leads) I get roughly the same results with both lights.
Mode 1 (moonlight) 1.2A
Mode 2 1.2A
Mode 3 1.2A
Mode 4 2.4A
Mode 5 3.5A
Mode 6 6.0A
All 3 LEDs light and appear to have equal output.
I’m at a loss as to what happened and it occurred on two lights.
I have at least 5 other similar S2 using the same driver but with Cree emitters. In fact the 25R I used came out of one I use often.
It seems like it must be a driver issue but I don’t understand what’s going on.
I have a few Q-Lights with moon mode, I may just install those and be done with it.
Anyone have any ideas? Sorry for the long post.