FS: Homemade Surefire A2 Aviator LED rings (2nd Run) *OPEN*

[calipsoii]

One of mine is amongst the pile there? Heehee.. PayPal sent Mike. Thanks!

Oh! Before I forget to mention it, multimode rings only have 2 springs on the back, which is why they look like they're slumping. This is normal - the 3rd spring is located directly underneath the microcontroller and when it flexed it would pop the solder joints, so I left it off entirely. Installation/operation is unaffected.

[pjandyho]

Oh! Before I forget to mention it, multimode rings only have 2 springs on the back, which is why they look like they're slumping. This is normal - the 3rd spring is located directly underneath the microcontroller and when it flexed it would pop the solder joints, so I left it off entirely. Installation/operation is unaffected.

Noted. Now the wait begins...

[bgogo]

thanks for your attention!

[kaichu dento]

For anyone who's placed an order in the last few days, your rings are up next. A bunch of the warm white LED's in this batch had a nasty blue/brown tint thing going on so I chucked them. This means I ran out early. Don't worry though, more are in the mail!

That red/warm white looks like it should be a really popular combination.

I wish all makers were as picky as you are about tints and I hope you know we appreciate it.

[pjandyho]

That red/warm white looks like it should be a really popular combination.

I wish all makers were as picky as you are about tints and I hope you know we appreciate it.

Yes, I fully agree. Even though I have yet to receive mine but I am very confident it would be what I have envisioned. The whole ordering and manufacturing process is just top notch. Plenty of communications from Calipsoii. Very attentive service Michael. Kudos!

[bgogo]

hello,
I'm back and want to take one single mode (warm).

[calipsoii]

hello,
I'm back and want to take one single mode (warm).

Oh nice, your PM has been sent bgogo!

I finished the promised neutral white ring this evening and did a little write-up on it with some pictures. Hit the link if you're interested. I'm not sure how to handle any NW orders right now since the LED's are such a tint lottery and tint is so subjective. I'll probably just ask if you'd like it warmer, neutral or colder and go from there.

Warning: Pic Heavy Thread

[davidwestonh]

[QUOTE=calipsoi



The worst part? McMaster-Carr carries the EXACT spring I need (perfect dimensions) but refuses to ship outside of the USA (even though their website allows payment from Canada). [/QUOTE]


Does anyone here have a McMaster-Carr account that can Forward it to you?

[calipsoii]

Does anyone here have a McMaster-Carr account that can Forward it to you?

Oh, there have been a couple people who offered to purchase some, but after talking to some individuals in the know, I guess their springs are high-carbon steel and likely wouldn't solder very well.

The brass tabs I'm using now aren't the prettiest, but they're tried and tested so I think I'll stick with what I know works.

[walterr839]

I am interested in purchasing a single mode
red LED ring for my SF A2 incandesent aviator.

But I need to know if I can use this with rechargeable 123 batteries?

I understand the DC regulating circuit of the stock A2 only controls voltage to the incandescent bulb
and that the higher voltage could hurt the stock LEDs.

thanks

walter Roettinger
you can PM me

walterR839@aol.com

[calipsoii]

Hi Walter!

The rings have a voltage regulator that handles the extra voltage, so they are safe to use with rechargeables. It's more important to make sure that your rechargeables won't get stuck in the body of the light since it's a pretty tight fit. You also want to be careful with unprotected batteries since there is no low-voltage notification on these rings and it's possible to overdischarge your battery.

There are many CPF'ers who've run rechargeables in their stock A2 without issues, but SF overdrives those LED's a bit already, so rechargeables just push them even harder.

[walterr839]

I would like two rings
A single all red
B Multi two warm white one red

Ship to Rhode Island

please give total $ and I'll pay pal

thanks

Walter Roettinger

[kaichu dento]

Multi two warm white one red

I've got that one on the way to join my all-warm multi and I think that these could possibly be the best two options available.

[LightJunk]

I will take one Single Mode Y/G. PP ready.

[Lightingguy321]

Sign me up for 1UV LED module, single mode. Do you accept paypal?

[walterr839]

Thanks Calipsoii

just let me know when the rings are ready

Walterr839

[calipsoii]

Sign me up for 1UV LED module, single mode. Do you accept paypal?

Sure do, I'll fire you a PM just as soon as it's completed.

Thanks Calipsoii

just let me know when the rings are ready

Walterr839

No problem, your single-mode red one is 90% complete but I'm waiting on my warm white LED's for your other ring. Hopefully not too much longer now!

[calipsoii]

Hey guys, just a quick update.

I'm still waiting on my warm white LED's to arrive, so there's not too much I can do until they show up. Welcome to the true north shipping experience of 3-4 weeks.

Today being such a gorgeous day though, I did manage to toast a few more rings, so when the LED's arrive, we're ready to rock!

It's a balmy -5 outside (t-shirt weather)


You wouldn't want to make a grilled cheese in this toaster oven...


These should go pretty quickly once I have all my parts


Cheers!

[brandocommando]

Hey, I see my name up there... NICE!

[Lightingguy321]

All I can say is WOW!! That was quick.

[Lightingguy321]

Paypal sent!

[lightplay22]

Paypal sent! Thanks so much!

[calipsoii]

Paypal sent!

Paypal sent! Thanks so much!

Thanks you two, your rings will ship out tomorrow!

Guess what was waiting for me when I arrived home?


This of course means that everyone waiting on a ring with warm white LED's on it doesn't have much longer to wait.

The package in the middle is a sample of LED's that I've been looking forward to for a long while. CPF user THE dAY was the first to find these and I was pretty excited when I saw the manufacturer's claims about them (make note of the color temperature and CRI):


Hooked up to a CR2012 though, I must say that my enthusiasm started to fade. From left to right:

[Nichia Warm White] -- [OptoSupply HCRI] -- [Cree NW] -- [Nichia GS]


They are GREEN. I'm not really sure where that CRI rating came from, but they definitely don't put out a 90CRI 5000k light. I tested all 10 at varying drive currents and it doesn't improve as the current goes up.

McGizmo High CRI Haiku (92CRI @ 5000k)


Nichia GS cool white (6700k)


Cree NW (5000k)


OptoSupply HCRI (90CRI @ 5000k)


Nichia Warm White (~3300k)


So there you have it - I'm glad I ordered samples before committing to a larger order.

As a side note: I packed around an A2 with the Cree NW LED's in it for a full week to see how they perform and after a day or two they really started to grow on me. I wasn't a huge fan of them at the start but now I don't mind the tint (especially seeing some of the alternatives). I'll add them as an option to the order page for anyone who wants them. Just keep in mind 5000k is a bit cooler than the 3300k incan bulb so the tint doesn't match as nicely as the warm whites. That said, they're crazy bright and with 50-degree spill, they put out a very smooth wall of light.

[Bullzeyebill]

If possible, change my WW to Cree NW. 5000k. Thanks,

Bill

[calipsoii]

If possible, change my WW to Cree NW. 5000k. Thanks,

Bill

No problem. I added a comparison shot to the first post just showing what I mean about the color temp difference.

[pjandyho]

Thanks Mike! Got mine today in the mailbox. Very happy with the tint.

[walterr839]

Calipsoii

now that the warm whites are in can I
order a third ring multi all warm white

I have Three A2s and was going to keep one stock but came to my senses

[brandocommando]

For my 2 LED rings, thanks!

[Bicycleflyer]

I know we've been chatting by e-mail, but I Just wanted to post here too that I sent Paypal. I look forward to using it and I'll let you know how it works out.

[pjandyho]

Hi Mike,

Been using the ring for the last couple days and overall I love it. There is one thing that you might want to look into changing though. During my usage, I often accidentally go into ramping mode when all I wanted was to change the output mode and it is kind of irritating. Would it be any better to change their click sequence around? For example, double click for changing number of LEDs to turn on and triple click + hold for ramping? Would that improve things?