Modding a Photon Freedom

[sunny_nites]

I've been using 3.6 volt rechargeable CR2032 cells in some of my keychain lights. They work great and provide brightness on par with two CR2016s.

I read somewhere that they are 80 mah and that seems pretty close. So far I have been removing them to recharge but am working on a charging port in my X-light Micro.

 

[Gregozedobe]

I have left the NVG version going on the lowest level to see just how long the CR2032 battery lasts with constant use - maybe someone can give me a reminder in a few months to report how it is holding up ?

Seems I was a bit optimistic when I said "months" - try a bit over 2 weeks - it is now below what I consider to be a useful level of illumination, even with fully night adapted eyes in complete darkness. I might put a couple of CR2016 batteries in and see how the run time compares.

 

[turboBB]

I've also been running mine w/a LiIon 2032 and neutral white LED. Throw/output is slightly less but the tint and floodiness is much more practical. Details here.

EDIT: The mod in the thread was for a Micro Light II and not freedom but I've also used the 1 x 2032 LiIon in a Inova Microlight as well as those freebies from a certain dealer (which I believe uses the same circuitry) with good effect.


Cheers,
Tim

 

[Fallingwater]

Just had a crazy idea: modded fauxton with 2xCR2032 and a Nichia NSDW570GS (70-80mA maximum non-overdriven current). What do you think?

 

[Gregozedobe]

Watch out it doesn't over-drive and cook the 570GS. There is a fair bit of current sag when using 2xCR2016 batteries to direct drive an LED, but with 2xCR2032 batteries there won't be as much voltage sag so you may get too high a voltage and therefore current through the LED. If you have some LEDs and some batteries you could just tape the LED legs onto the batteries and see what happens. If it works it will probably be a bit brighter (less voltage sag) and significantly longer run time.

Physically modding a fauxton to fit the extra thickness of 2xCR2032s could be a bit fiddly (unless you have access to a 3D scanner and 3D printer and can run off some new, wider bodies).

I'd like to try out a couple of the 570Gs's - where did you get yours from ?