wquiles
Flashaholic
It was an excellent question, and something nobody else has asked before, so thanks for bringing that up :thumbsup:
Feedback/impressions on the PhD-M6 custom battery pack
- Thread starter wquiles
- Start date
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It was an excellent question, and something nobody else has asked before, so thanks for bringing that up :thumbsup:
hron61
Flashlight Enthusiast
hron61
Flashlight Enthusiast
hi will.
i received my pair of packs today.
i have one running a [email protected] and one running an [email protected].
i cant beleive what im seeing, i can run the lights and its a steady non dimming beam of light. what a difference the packs make. the mn21 is a beautiful white beam, it really shows how nice the beam really is plus no dimming. the wa1185 is a monster of light that before the packs it would start dimming within a few mins, but ive ran it for 10 mins so far and its as bright as when i first turned it on. the phd pack is a must have for the m6, it really turns it into a user light instead of a shelf queen. im very satisfied with my purchases, thank you.
one question though, in one of the packs i can hear a whining noise while its running, while the other one is dead silent. normal? :thumbsup:
i received my pair of packs today.
i have one running a [email protected] and one running an [email protected].
i cant beleive what im seeing, i can run the lights and its a steady non dimming beam of light. what a difference the packs make. the mn21 is a beautiful white beam, it really shows how nice the beam really is plus no dimming. the wa1185 is a monster of light that before the packs it would start dimming within a few mins, but ive ran it for 10 mins so far and its as bright as when i first turned it on. the phd pack is a must have for the m6, it really turns it into a user light instead of a shelf queen. im very satisfied with my purchases, thank you.
one question though, in one of the packs i can hear a whining noise while its running, while the other one is dead silent. normal? :thumbsup:
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wquiles
Flashaholic
I am glad the packs got there, and thanks much for the feedback :thumbsup:
The only device/part that can make any noise is the filament itself, so that could be a faint source of the noise you hear. If you have various bulbs try to see if the noise follows a specific bulb.
The only other time I can hear any noise is when the tailcap is not fully pressed IN, so that there is a slight "gap" and/or dirt preventing full current transfer - this causes the current to arc slightly across the gap, which causes noise. To try to see if this is the source, take out the PhD-M6 pack and completely clean the tailcap thread area, the treads on the body, and most specially the un-anodized edge of the body that contacts the insert inside of the tailcap - it must be clean for optimum current transfer (you might need a Q-tip to clean the insert in the tailcap). Then lightly lubricate the threaded area on the body so that you have some lubricant again, but try not to get any on that exposed edge nor the insert in the tailcap. Note that this cleaning is helpful regardless of the power source for the M6, not just the PhD-M6.
Please do let me know what you find out.
Will
mdocod
Flashaholic
Hi Hron61,
The high current lower voltage bulbs are operating with very high current peaks each time the circuit is closed to make up the PWM. Those high current peaks can actually produce a ringing in the tailcap contacts and spring if everything isn't clean. You are probably hearing it on the MN21 and not the 1185, because the 1185 is operating at basically 98% duty cycle all the time, and the current peaks aren't really any higher than the bulb would operate under direct drive. In fact, the 1185 isn't expected to operate in regulation at the 10.8V setting.
In my experience, even after cleaning contacts and such, a low level ringing can be heard if you hold the light up to your ear on the high current lamps. You probably won't notice it much if at all when using more conservative bulb options.
Do keep in mind that the MN21 should be run at the 6.8V setting. (or around there). 7.5V is going to be pretty (very) hard on the bulb and even harder on the cells.
Eric
The high current lower voltage bulbs are operating with very high current peaks each time the circuit is closed to make up the PWM. Those high current peaks can actually produce a ringing in the tailcap contacts and spring if everything isn't clean. You are probably hearing it on the MN21 and not the 1185, because the 1185 is operating at basically 98% duty cycle all the time, and the current peaks aren't really any higher than the bulb would operate under direct drive. In fact, the 1185 isn't expected to operate in regulation at the 10.8V setting.
In my experience, even after cleaning contacts and such, a low level ringing can be heard if you hold the light up to your ear on the high current lamps. You probably won't notice it much if at all when using more conservative bulb options.
Do keep in mind that the MN21 should be run at the 6.8V setting. (or around there). 7.5V is going to be pretty (very) hard on the bulb and even harder on the cells.
Eric
hron61
Flashlight Enthusiast
hi and thanks for the input. im away from my lights till monday out of town for the weekend but ill definetly try what you two have suggested when i get back home. all in all, these packs are winners for sure. thanks for all the hard work and determination and trial and error that went into this project. ive only had mine for a few days and i could not imagine running the m6 the way of old when this is available for it.
kuddos to you.
kuddos to you.
I would just like to add that my PhD-M6 has been working flawlessly since I got it. Now that it's been getting darker earlier, I use it at night to check the horses before turning in. With all that glorious incan light, I can easily identify them! With some LED lights, they tend to blend into the background. Well Done! I now eagerly await the 6P version!
wquiles
Flashaholic
Thank you guys. You are welcome 
It01Firefox
Newly Enlightened
Hi,
I finally got mine today, it was sitting at the customs office for two weeks while I was on holiday, they almost sent it back!
I've only played with it for a few minutes using the MN16 and MN60 bulbs that I had lying close by. I'm really loving it, great build quality.
Thanks to all involved in making this great product.
Markus
I finally got mine today, it was sitting at the customs office for two weeks while I was on holiday, they almost sent it back!
I've only played with it for a few minutes using the MN16 and MN60 bulbs that I had lying close by. I'm really loving it, great build quality.
Thanks to all involved in making this great product.
Markus
wquiles
Flashaholic
Awesome - glad to hear it got there safely :thumbsup:
jellydonut
Enlightened
Hello PhD-M6 people
Would it be possible to mate the PhD-M6 circuitry to the Odd Mods 2x18650 battery caddy rather than the 3x17670 caddy?
Well, I guess what I'm asking is... Can I pay someone to make such a creation?:naughty: Or is it not possible?
And I guess an equally interesting point is - would two protected AW 18650s (cobalt, not manganese) be capable of running any fun bulbs or would the current draw be so great as to make it pointless?
Would it be possible to mate the PhD-M6 circuitry to the Odd Mods 2x18650 battery caddy rather than the 3x17670 caddy?
Well, I guess what I'm asking is... Can I pay someone to make such a creation?:naughty: Or is it not possible?
And I guess an equally interesting point is - would two protected AW 18650s (cobalt, not manganese) be capable of running any fun bulbs or would the current draw be so great as to make it pointless?
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wquiles
Flashaholic
Unfortunately no. The PhD-M6 that I designed for the SF M6 using 3x 17670 LiIon cells uses a custom board that is perfectly matched to the custom battery carrier that Eric (Odd Mods) designed, so any/all changes would require a new cycle of design/testing and updated firmware - I would never be able to charge enough to come even close to break even.
wquiles
Flashaholic
No. There is no electrical path for charging while the cells are in the pack. You might damage the charger, the PhD-M6 pack, or both.
ALWAYS remove the cells from the pack for charging.
Will
wquiles
Flashaholic
Kestrel
Flashaholic
Wow, your first post since a join date of June 2001, I believe that's a record! :huh:
:welcome: LOL!
(BTW by pulling up your profile I can see that you're member # 171 - that was maybe the longest lurk in CPF!)
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I couldn't believe it would work... so I tried it for myself. I just wanted the record to reflect, I tried the MN21 at 7.5v yesterday and HOLEY CRAPOLA... that thing is impressive! I thought it was good at 6.8v...:devil:
Will, every time I play with this thing I get more and more impressed. The ability to so quickly and seamlessly change bulbs, pop off the turbo head, pop off the tail, switch the DIP's back on the turbo head (with new bulb), back on the tail and its like a whole new toy!
I also would like to say it is SO MUCH easier to change the cells in the PHD-M6 than compared to my older 3X17670 holders. The pop-in pop-out design is DELIGHTFUL! The engineering in this thing is INTENSE! Seriously, HATS OFF!
My second M6 has finally all shown up, sadly it wont be a second host for a PHD-M6, its going to MILKY for a mod (cant not have a LED version of the M6).
After that, I think I may need a third M6 as a host for a second PHD-M6. Curses too you WILL and ERIC you have really MADE the M6, which was already a fantastic format, a superb product!
Warm, well lit regards!
Stephen
wquiles
Flashaholic
Thanks much Stephen
I have to admit I am amazed at the MN21 running at 7.5Vrms - definitely not something I ever tested, but I have heard of folks running the MN21 at 7.0 - 7.1 volts when using one of Willy Hunt's LVR's. I would imagine that the life expectancy would be greatly reduced, right?
Will
oldways
Enlightened
It wont run on 9.2v
I changed the MN61 to MN21 and did NOT change the dip
I changed the MN61 to MN21 and did NOT change the dip
wquiles
Flashaholic
It wont run on 9.2v
I have done that myself once. Had one of my development packs on 10.8Vrms and tried an MN21 bulb
