Opalec NewBeam: How does it work? (schematics?)

[Steelwolf]

The Opalec NewBeam is still the only commercially available light that I know of that has a truly flat regulation. (If anyone knows of others, please tell me about them.)

I would like to know if anyone has found out how it achieves this level of regulation. What IC does it use? What are the circuit schematics? Is the low power indicator integral to the boost circuit or separate? Can the output be increased? If so, how much more current can the circuit deliver? And if the output is increased, what happens to the regulation? How flat does it remain and for how long?

TIA.

 

[dat2zip]

The Badboy Converter board is a true Flat constant current regulator.

I think there are others. I know some MFGs are using true constant current regulators. There are linear regulator designs that are true constant current as well.

I would doubt a MFG would release schematics for fear of competitors snooping and copying their design. I for one would not want to release my schematics.

 

[Steelwolf]

Wayne: I understand totally about your work. I was just wondering if anyone had been curious enough about their NewBeam to break it open and have a look inside. I can't as I gave mine to my brother.

Thanks for bringing your BB converters to my attention. I didn't realise their discharge curve was as flat as the NewBeam's. And this is with much greater output too, isn't it?

As I understand it, regulation can only be achieved by having a design capable of delivering much higher power and then throttling back. The throttle is then opened slowly to compensate for the dying battery?

 

[Steelwolf]

BTW, you describe the BB converters as stepup, but you also state that the input voltage can go all the way up to 9V. How is this possible?

 

[kakster]

I think once the input voltage goes above the forward voltage of the LED, the badboy goes into pass thru/direct drive mode. It does no regulation in this state.

 

[paulr]

Steelwolf, besides the Badboy series, the incan bulb of the Surefire A2 has flat regulation, if that's of any interest.

Flat regulation is not any amazing technical feat. It's straightforward enough to do with standard circuits. The reason most lights don't do it is because it's not always an advantage. Some people would rather have their light dim gradually as the batteries run down, than to be left in the dark all of a sudden after staying steady the whole time.

 

[Roy]

From the Reviews Forum I found the following flat runtime plots:

McLux
Opalec
Pal Surival
PM-6 with DownBoy 400 sandwich {3,6 and 12 Vdc)
PM-6 with DownBoy 700 sandwich (3,6 and 12 VDC)
PM-6 R2H with DownBoy 400 sandwich
UBH with KL-1
Ubh with KL-3

 

[Steelwolf]

Hmmm... UBH... that's the Universal battery holder? Yeah, I remember that the KL-1 was designed to work with the E2 body as well and was rated to give a longer burn time as a result of having 6V to start out with instead of the 3V in the E1 body. So I guess with more starting power, it can deliver a flat run.

The EverLED comes to mind as well. Someone reported that it appeared fully regulated between 3V and 9V and dropped out of regulation only below 3V. Anyone confirms?