Hello all,
This is my first post to CPF, I have been a lurker for years but just checked back into the scene a few months ago when I realized my mini-mags weren't cutting the mustard (or darkness). I caught the dreaded Cree fever and now want to install LEDs everywhere! I am no electrical engineer, but hopefully I can add some worthwhile information to the community, and maybe even learn some more in the process!
I recently purchased a new true RMS datalogging multimeter that I wanted to kick around a bit, so what better way to play with it than try to quantify the details of why my Cree TLE-5EX is so dim on my IQ switch. I have some results that jive with what my eye sees, but I cannot really explain them...
Firstly, to the IQ switch: the unit I am examining is the 'rev.2' IQ switch, with the power / location led 'inside' the power switch button. For those who don't know, it has 5 modes (hi, low, medium, slow strobe, fast strobe), no mode memory, and a 'tactical on' mode where if the button is held for more than a second, the light will stay on @ full brightness, and turn off upon button release. All modes other than the strobes feature an auto-power off feature where the light flashes a few times looking for a button click to confirm the user is still there @ 13.5 minutes, than again @ 14 minutes, then powers down at 14.5 minutes with no user interaction.
I did all my testing with the same batteries (slightly used, out of the package Kodak NiMH LSD), and the test voltage was around 2.18V once things stabilized.
Upon applying power to the switch, it remains idle, and draws about .8 micro-amps. Turning on and off the unit activates the flashing 'find-me-LED' on the tailcap. In this state, my IQ switch draws 47.2 micro-amps steady, with peaks up to 300 or so when the LED flashes (hard to get an exact reading when the LED is illuminated).
Below is the amp draw for the MM stock incan light, my mj 2AA module, and my TLE-5EX. All numbers are in mA (as opposed to the uA values provided above).
stock MM bulb
no switch:355
iq high: 337 (94% of no switch)
iq med: 205 (60% of high mode)
iq low: 128 (38% of high mode- the light is not really usable at this level)
mj 2AA module
no switch: 112
iq high: 102 (91% of no switch)
iq med: 50 (49% of high mode)
iq low: 27 (26% of full mode)
TLE-5EX (Cree)
full drive ~420
iq on: 230 (54% of no switch)
iq med: 112 (48% of high mode)
iq low: 52 (22% of high mode)
My TLE-5EX has the washer mod, and the light was only on for ~30 seconds at a time to let the voltage stabilize, so heat buildup shouldn't have come into play.. the switch does use PWM to dim, but it didn't seem to bother my meter much, as these results make sense, mostly.
I am very happy with the IQ switch on my MJ 2AA module light, I like retaining the ability to turn the light off all the way to stop the blinking LED.
I currently have a Kroll clicky on my TLE-5EX to allow it to 'shine' without any penalty.. any thoughts on why the IQ switch performs so poorly with the TLE-5EX? The drop in output is quite noticeable, and is way beyond the ~17% drop number that has floated around this board for a while, at least to my eye; no lux meter.... yet!
This is my first post to CPF, I have been a lurker for years but just checked back into the scene a few months ago when I realized my mini-mags weren't cutting the mustard (or darkness). I caught the dreaded Cree fever and now want to install LEDs everywhere! I am no electrical engineer, but hopefully I can add some worthwhile information to the community, and maybe even learn some more in the process!
I recently purchased a new true RMS datalogging multimeter that I wanted to kick around a bit, so what better way to play with it than try to quantify the details of why my Cree TLE-5EX is so dim on my IQ switch. I have some results that jive with what my eye sees, but I cannot really explain them...
Firstly, to the IQ switch: the unit I am examining is the 'rev.2' IQ switch, with the power / location led 'inside' the power switch button. For those who don't know, it has 5 modes (hi, low, medium, slow strobe, fast strobe), no mode memory, and a 'tactical on' mode where if the button is held for more than a second, the light will stay on @ full brightness, and turn off upon button release. All modes other than the strobes feature an auto-power off feature where the light flashes a few times looking for a button click to confirm the user is still there @ 13.5 minutes, than again @ 14 minutes, then powers down at 14.5 minutes with no user interaction.
I did all my testing with the same batteries (slightly used, out of the package Kodak NiMH LSD), and the test voltage was around 2.18V once things stabilized.
Upon applying power to the switch, it remains idle, and draws about .8 micro-amps. Turning on and off the unit activates the flashing 'find-me-LED' on the tailcap. In this state, my IQ switch draws 47.2 micro-amps steady, with peaks up to 300 or so when the LED flashes (hard to get an exact reading when the LED is illuminated).
Below is the amp draw for the MM stock incan light, my mj 2AA module, and my TLE-5EX. All numbers are in mA (as opposed to the uA values provided above).
stock MM bulb
no switch:355
iq high: 337 (94% of no switch)
iq med: 205 (60% of high mode)
iq low: 128 (38% of high mode- the light is not really usable at this level)
mj 2AA module
no switch: 112
iq high: 102 (91% of no switch)
iq med: 50 (49% of high mode)
iq low: 27 (26% of full mode)
TLE-5EX (Cree)
full drive ~420
iq on: 230 (54% of no switch)
iq med: 112 (48% of high mode)
iq low: 52 (22% of high mode)
My TLE-5EX has the washer mod, and the light was only on for ~30 seconds at a time to let the voltage stabilize, so heat buildup shouldn't have come into play.. the switch does use PWM to dim, but it didn't seem to bother my meter much, as these results make sense, mostly.
I am very happy with the IQ switch on my MJ 2AA module light, I like retaining the ability to turn the light off all the way to stop the blinking LED.
I currently have a Kroll clicky on my TLE-5EX to allow it to 'shine' without any penalty.. any thoughts on why the IQ switch performs so poorly with the TLE-5EX? The drop in output is quite noticeable, and is way beyond the ~17% drop number that has floated around this board for a while, at least to my eye; no lux meter.... yet!
