pseudoblue
Newly Enlightened
Hey guys,
This is my first attempt on current draw measurement, tested on a Fenix TA21 and LD10, but I'm getting different readings. Has anyone done measurements on the Fenix TA21? Do compare with my data below, I would like to know if my measurements is how someone would measure current draw in LEDs. I'm still learning, and would like to be corrected and learn more.
I'm using an Ace Digital Multimeter (affordable), DC current measurement only has 2mA, 20mA, 200mA and 10A range. Positive pin is placed on the body (non-anodized part) and Negative pin placed on the center battery, which is one AW18650, voltage reading before test is at 4.01
I've excluded the strobe, beacon and sos modes (The TA21 has 12 modes).
Stages (lumens rated by Fenix) --- Tested at 10A on DMM:
1) 4 lumens --- 0.00 (no reading because of high resistance)
2) 18 lumens --- 0.03 (30 mA)
3) 35 lumens --- 0.06 (60 mA)
4) 50 lumens --- 0.11 (110 mA)
5) 80 lumens --- 0.19 (190 mA)
6) 120 lumens --- 0.32 (320 mA)
7) 160 lumens --- 0.51 (510 mA)
8) 190 lumens --- 0.67 (670 mA)
9) 225 lumens --- 0.88 (880 mA)
Stages (lumens rated by Fenix) --- Tested at 200mA on DMM:
1) 4 lumens --- 12.7 mA
2) 18 lumens --- 39 mA
3) 35 lumens --- 75.4 mA
4) 50 lumens ---123.4 mA
5) 80 lumens --- DMM showed 1, which was above 200mA
Now for the LD10, voltage reading before test was at 1.70, Energizer Ultimate Lithium.
Stages (lumens rated by Fenix) --- Tested at 10A on DMM:
1) 9 lumens --- 0.11 (110 mA)
2) 45 lumens --- 0.36 (360 mA)
3) 90 lumens --- 2.3 - 2.5A
Something was very wrong there, I'm not sure if it's my DMM, but 2.3A on high mode is insane? I switch off my DMM and then back on, tested not more than 2 secs to get a reading on high and it's around 2.3 - 2.5 again. I stopped there, did not bother to test on turbo. However, the brightness level on each mode appears to be the same as with the tailcap on.
So I've decided to check the LD10 tailcap for resistance. DMM resistance was set to 200 ohms. Direct pin to pin test showed 0.4 (This would be zero value):
- Tested on tailcap at switch off = nothing.
- Tested tailcap at switch on = 0.4 - 0.5, very low resistance, almost as zero.
- I did the same for TA21 tailcap with similar results.
Anyone can help me here with the LD10 measurement too? I know I'm using a budget DMM, but I've used it for other voltage readings, resistance reading and other current draw measurements on other flashlights I have after this tests, it seemed to make sense. I think I'm not understanding certain things correctly.
This is my first attempt on current draw measurement, tested on a Fenix TA21 and LD10, but I'm getting different readings. Has anyone done measurements on the Fenix TA21? Do compare with my data below, I would like to know if my measurements is how someone would measure current draw in LEDs. I'm still learning, and would like to be corrected and learn more.
I'm using an Ace Digital Multimeter (affordable), DC current measurement only has 2mA, 20mA, 200mA and 10A range. Positive pin is placed on the body (non-anodized part) and Negative pin placed on the center battery, which is one AW18650, voltage reading before test is at 4.01
I've excluded the strobe, beacon and sos modes (The TA21 has 12 modes).
Stages (lumens rated by Fenix) --- Tested at 10A on DMM:
1) 4 lumens --- 0.00 (no reading because of high resistance)
2) 18 lumens --- 0.03 (30 mA)
3) 35 lumens --- 0.06 (60 mA)
4) 50 lumens --- 0.11 (110 mA)
5) 80 lumens --- 0.19 (190 mA)
6) 120 lumens --- 0.32 (320 mA)
7) 160 lumens --- 0.51 (510 mA)
8) 190 lumens --- 0.67 (670 mA)
9) 225 lumens --- 0.88 (880 mA)
Stages (lumens rated by Fenix) --- Tested at 200mA on DMM:
1) 4 lumens --- 12.7 mA
2) 18 lumens --- 39 mA
3) 35 lumens --- 75.4 mA
4) 50 lumens ---123.4 mA
5) 80 lumens --- DMM showed 1, which was above 200mA
Now for the LD10, voltage reading before test was at 1.70, Energizer Ultimate Lithium.
Stages (lumens rated by Fenix) --- Tested at 10A on DMM:
1) 9 lumens --- 0.11 (110 mA)
2) 45 lumens --- 0.36 (360 mA)
3) 90 lumens --- 2.3 - 2.5A
Something was very wrong there, I'm not sure if it's my DMM, but 2.3A on high mode is insane? I switch off my DMM and then back on, tested not more than 2 secs to get a reading on high and it's around 2.3 - 2.5 again. I stopped there, did not bother to test on turbo. However, the brightness level on each mode appears to be the same as with the tailcap on.
So I've decided to check the LD10 tailcap for resistance. DMM resistance was set to 200 ohms. Direct pin to pin test showed 0.4 (This would be zero value):
- Tested on tailcap at switch off = nothing.
- Tested tailcap at switch on = 0.4 - 0.5, very low resistance, almost as zero.
- I did the same for TA21 tailcap with similar results.
Anyone can help me here with the LD10 measurement too? I know I'm using a budget DMM, but I've used it for other voltage readings, resistance reading and other current draw measurements on other flashlights I have after this tests, it seemed to make sense. I think I'm not understanding certain things correctly.
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