twentysixtwo
Enlightened
Since this is perhaps the most popular light on CPF (well, perhaps most popular currently available, under $100 light that you can EDC) I'm thinking it might be nice to have a FAQ. Yes, these questions have been discussed before but that's what a FAQ is for – one stop shopping.
Note: Need answers for questions 3, 11, 28
1) What is a Nuwai QIII? A: A (comparitively) inexpensive Luxeon III flashlight that runs off of 123 Lithium batteries.
2) How much do they cost? Less than $50, as of 5/05, they have been seen as low as $35 shipped.
3) Can I run R123's in it? Yes, though heat appears to be an issue. 700Mah R123's give about 40 minutes. CR123's also work?
4) What is runtime with brand new batteries? Battery life depends on the bin of the luxeon, but generally is around 80 minutes. Some QIII have moon mode, others apparently do not. Strobing has also been reported under low battery conditions.
5) What bin are the LED's? Most are S--K bin LEDs, though there have been isolated reports of T bin luxeons.
6) What is the stock lens? The stock lens is polycarbonate.
7) What is the diameter of the lens if I want to buy a UCL? Older lights without a plastic retaining ring on the Lux (the interior is not threaded) have an interior bezel diameter of 22.7mm and it will take a 22.6mm UCL from FlashlightLen, etc. Newer ones have a retaining ring have an interior diameter of about 22.3mm and may require you to grind the outer edge of a glass lens to fit (no current source)
8) Does the QIII use a reflector or optics? Reflector.
9) What is the stock reflector? It is a MOP aluminum reflector and appears to be a combination of aluminum and plastic. It is reported to be somewhat susceptible to damage when removing.
10) What other reflectors are recommended? MC-R20 from Dat2Zip is considered much better, as is the IMS 20mm or S020 reflectors.
11) Can I put optics in it? What will fit?
12) What bin is my Q3? Most are S**K, T**K have been reported.
13) How much brighter will it be if I substitute a T bin luxeon?
14) What luxeon should I replace my stock one with? TWOJ is perhaps the most popular
15) How do I convert it to a 2 stage switch? What do I need? The stock switch board permits connecting a multi position switch. You either need some very small resistors and a replacement switch, or about $20 and send it GoldServe, milky, or 4sevens. They can also sell you the switch if you want to DIY. The switching function is on -> off -> on -> off (low, off, high, off).
16) What is the current delivered to the LED on a stock QIII? About 500 ma
17) How do I mod the driver board to deliver more current? QIII is a Zetex ZHSC300 or ZHSC310, you need to swap out the sense resistor
18) is the Q3 regulated? no, it's strictly a boost circuit, so if you exceed Vf you go into direct drive.
19) How do you make it stand on it's end? Remove the tailcap, Add a #21 O Ring from home depot, reinstall tailcap.
20) How do I get the head off? you need to heat up the Loctite in the threads, either with a hair dryer or by putting it in a waterproof bag and boiling it. Strap wrenches are a plus.
21) What size O ring is in the bezel? #32 O-ring is a little large but works. It's available in the faucet repair area of Home Depot.
22) What colors does it come in? Black, Green (Amondotech) In Japan, silver versions have been seen.
23) What is the anodizing type? Type II. To date, Nuwai has not made it in Type III.
24) Can you get a switch that gives momentary and full on? Yes, but you have to replace the existing switch which is a "reversed momentary"
25) How efficient is it, compared to it's main rivals(KL1,ARC LS etc)? The converter is estimated between 65 and 75%, not very good.
26) Can I get spare parts? Yes, Warren Cho (eTenDue) is selling them at very reasonable prices.
27) Why is the Q-III so popular when the Inova T1 is around the same price, has the same throw, runs longer and is fully regulated? It's shorter and looks cooler.
28) What's the run time with a 2 stage switch and the 5 or 10 ohm mod?
Post some more questions / answers, I'll mod the original post to keep the scrolling to a minimum...
Note: Need answers for questions 3, 11, 28
1) What is a Nuwai QIII? A: A (comparitively) inexpensive Luxeon III flashlight that runs off of 123 Lithium batteries.
2) How much do they cost? Less than $50, as of 5/05, they have been seen as low as $35 shipped.
3) Can I run R123's in it? Yes, though heat appears to be an issue. 700Mah R123's give about 40 minutes. CR123's also work?
4) What is runtime with brand new batteries? Battery life depends on the bin of the luxeon, but generally is around 80 minutes. Some QIII have moon mode, others apparently do not. Strobing has also been reported under low battery conditions.
5) What bin are the LED's? Most are S--K bin LEDs, though there have been isolated reports of T bin luxeons.
6) What is the stock lens? The stock lens is polycarbonate.
7) What is the diameter of the lens if I want to buy a UCL? Older lights without a plastic retaining ring on the Lux (the interior is not threaded) have an interior bezel diameter of 22.7mm and it will take a 22.6mm UCL from FlashlightLen, etc. Newer ones have a retaining ring have an interior diameter of about 22.3mm and may require you to grind the outer edge of a glass lens to fit (no current source)
8) Does the QIII use a reflector or optics? Reflector.
9) What is the stock reflector? It is a MOP aluminum reflector and appears to be a combination of aluminum and plastic. It is reported to be somewhat susceptible to damage when removing.
10) What other reflectors are recommended? MC-R20 from Dat2Zip is considered much better, as is the IMS 20mm or S020 reflectors.
11) Can I put optics in it? What will fit?
12) What bin is my Q3? Most are S**K, T**K have been reported.
13) How much brighter will it be if I substitute a T bin luxeon?
14) What luxeon should I replace my stock one with? TWOJ is perhaps the most popular
15) How do I convert it to a 2 stage switch? What do I need? The stock switch board permits connecting a multi position switch. You either need some very small resistors and a replacement switch, or about $20 and send it GoldServe, milky, or 4sevens. They can also sell you the switch if you want to DIY. The switching function is on -> off -> on -> off (low, off, high, off).
16) What is the current delivered to the LED on a stock QIII? About 500 ma
17) How do I mod the driver board to deliver more current? QIII is a Zetex ZHSC300 or ZHSC310, you need to swap out the sense resistor
18) is the Q3 regulated? no, it's strictly a boost circuit, so if you exceed Vf you go into direct drive.
19) How do you make it stand on it's end? Remove the tailcap, Add a #21 O Ring from home depot, reinstall tailcap.
20) How do I get the head off? you need to heat up the Loctite in the threads, either with a hair dryer or by putting it in a waterproof bag and boiling it. Strap wrenches are a plus.
21) What size O ring is in the bezel? #32 O-ring is a little large but works. It's available in the faucet repair area of Home Depot.
22) What colors does it come in? Black, Green (Amondotech) In Japan, silver versions have been seen.
23) What is the anodizing type? Type II. To date, Nuwai has not made it in Type III.
24) Can you get a switch that gives momentary and full on? Yes, but you have to replace the existing switch which is a "reversed momentary"
25) How efficient is it, compared to it's main rivals(KL1,ARC LS etc)? The converter is estimated between 65 and 75%, not very good.
26) Can I get spare parts? Yes, Warren Cho (eTenDue) is selling them at very reasonable prices.
27) Why is the Q-III so popular when the Inova T1 is around the same price, has the same throw, runs longer and is fully regulated? It's shorter and looks cooler.
28) What's the run time with a 2 stage switch and the 5 or 10 ohm mod?
Post some more questions / answers, I'll mod the original post to keep the scrolling to a minimum...
