Decent rear light driver?

[Jarl]

I need a driver for a rear light. I'm planning to run it off 1xAA in an RC-G2 with 1 red cree. The standard driver would work well enough, but ideally I'd like a low hz strobe, without all the other modes. In a perfect world, on, 3hz strobe, off. Obviously I'm not holding my breath for this . Anyone know the closest I can get? All the DX drivers have 101 modes, which just adds to the complexity unnecesarily.

Also, I'm assuming using a single red LED would be fine despite the lower Vf? If not, I'll put another in series, though then I won't be able to use the standard reflector.

 

[msxtr]

I need a driver for a rear light. I'm planning to run it off 1xAA in an RC-G2 with 1 red cree. The standard driver would work well enough, but ideally I'd like a low hz strobe, without all the other modes. In a perfect world, on, 3hz strobe, off. Obviously I'm not holding my breath for this . Anyone know the closest I can get? All the DX drivers have 101 modes, which just adds to the complexity unnecesarily.

Also, I'm assuming using a single red LED would be fine despite the lower Vf? If not, I'll put another in series, though then I won't be able to use the standard reflector.

Hi, you can use this driver, work to 2,6 volts perfectly to the red cree.

Greetings - Saludos

msxtr

 

[msxtr]

Look here

Greetings - Saludos

msxtr

 

[mkrabach]

I went through a set of experiments to determine what you are asking. As to the multimode drivers, I found that since they were grouped into three sets, setting up the mode you wanted was fairly easy with a little practice. And the drivers I prefered remembered the last setting when turn back on. Also note that red leds require only about half the voltage to drive them. Hence I finally ended up using two red leds in series with a driver that is designed for white leds. Here is one of the experiments. There were others in the Table of Contents. There are also beam shots of all the experiments.
http://www.kayakaccessri.info/krabachwebsite/bike_light/bike_light_project/proto16.html

 

[Zero_Enigma]

Ok, I've a few of these multimode drivers here.

I did a video review of the 5-mode 3.6-8.4v (peaks at 9v -absolute max- it's a gamble over 9v and not reliable a la *sniff sniff what's that burning smell* or may work a bit before frying).

I have this driver. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7612 It peaks at 6v. It has 3 - groups of modes. It has LAST MEMORY which is good. I normally use pending my riding area (I used this for a DIY front light before but been thinking of making a rear light as well) either group #2 (low-mid-high) or group #3 which has the 'police strobe' which really catches peoples attention. It's a strobe-strobe-strobe-pause (no light on when pausing so best to wire the lowest driver so you're still lit while it cycles again) - strobe-strobe-strobe-pause- repeat. Awesome ambulance/cop light effect which you WILL notice people slowing down thinking you're a motor cop on patrol. :devil: This driver does not come pre-wired. You'll have to wire it yourself.

Other drivers I own from DX are :

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7425 -My video review on the site. I have been using it regularly with a 6xAA NIMH at 8.4-8.6v hot off the charger for a year now with ~2-3 hour rides and it has been a solid driver. I believe it came pre-wired. I'll have to check. Yup it came pre-wired but I'd resolder it with some thicker wires. THe ones that came with it are like I don't know 28ga really thin and easy to break off wires. 22-24ga wires would be best.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3256 - Good 4pack deal which I used for my quad-damage lighting seen here. (sunglasses not included ) This driver peaks at 9v. Works at ~10.4v for about 6 hours (~30 min rides each time with airflow) but after the trial testing and I ran it longer then 30mins it fried. I have been using it regularly with a 6xAA NIMH at 8.4-8.6v hot off the charger for a year now with ~30mins continious when riding sustained power on but I normally turn them on as my downhill runner lights. It has been a solid driver with Over 6 months burn in time on my uber ghetto exposed setup. Even moisture from fog and even the rare shower or thunderstorm deluge which I'm caught in the driver did not short from the water or the moisture. These come pre-wired but I would unsolder them for stronger better wires.

My dual cube light uses the 5-mode 3.6-8.4v (no memory mode). I do have a video somewhere on the HD or CD of that 3 group mode driver which I wired with a red and blue light which gives a good cop light effect which I made for fun.

 

[Cemoi]

I have this driver. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7612 It peaks at 6v

Do you know what the input voltage range is?
Since the description on DX says "3.7 V", I assume it can be used with 3 NiMH in series, but what about only 2 NiMH (hence an input voltage between 2.7 and 2.0 V)?
Also, what about the efficiency of this driver?

 

[Zero_Enigma]

Do you know what the input voltage range is?
Since the description on DX says "3.7 V", I assume it can be used with 3 NiMH in series, but what about only 2 NiMH (hence an input voltage between 2.7 and 2.0 V)?
Also, what about the efficiency of this driver?

I happen to have a special 4xAAA battery holder which I use for testing stuff. This little battery holder had 4xAAA 9v clip on one end and a 2xAAA 9v clip on the other end. So I can test both 2 cell and 4 cell NIMH with one unit.

I am going off memory right now as I do not have this driver currently wired up. When I was testing this driver I used 1 x Cree Q5 and also 2 x Cree Q5 (wired in series). You can power the 2 x Q5 with all modes with a 4 x AAA/AA battery hot off the charger. Duration of my test as ~5-10mins at a time and I did the burn test up to about 4-5 times. Iknow the cells still had energy but I didn't pursue testing it anymore so you can gather the data from that ~50mins (seperated not sustained power).

2xAA/AAA will power a single Q5 LED hot off the charger but for how long a runtime I don't know. I'll have to test later on. As the voltage drops (going from ym memory right now) I believe you will lose the ability to run the flash modes. When I tried to run 4 x Q5 (2xQ5 in series then parallel to the battery) and run it off the 4xAA the flash modes stopped around after about ~3-5 mins but solid modes did work for a little bit but I knew I was taxing the battery for that test.

I do not know how to calculate effeiency. I would consider myself one level above knowing nothing about electronics dispite having the electronics gear here to make such projects. My knowledge of electronics can be summed up as 'bulb + wire + battery = light' in a simple drawing. I'm still learning slowly but just need to find a good teacher that can teach mainly hands on then from the books as I tend to zone out on the books and can't digest that stuff. Any teachers here looking for a student with an iron?

 

[Cemoi]

Thanks a lot ZE for your detailed reply.

2xAA/AAA will power a single Q5 LED hot off the charger but for how long a runtime I don't know. I'll have to test later on. As the voltage drops (going from ym memory right now) I believe you will lose the ability to run the flash modes

I don't care, since I will be using it only on steady modes, low and medium.
I'm interested in your runtime test results when available.

I would consider myself one level above knowing nothing about electronics dispite having the electronics gear here to make such projects

My background in theoretical electricity is good but unfortunately far away:shrug:, and I am only starting to learn the basics of electronics and how to use a soldering iron. But there are plenty of electronics experts here who should be able to explain.

I'm still learning slowly but just need to find a good teacher that can teach mainly hands on then from the books as I tend to zone out on the books and can't digest that stuff.

You may want to try this very detailed online course or of course the very detailed CPF University.