RC-F4 mod?/ Update=order shipped

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04orgZx6r

04orgZx6r

Enlightened
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
523
Location
North of Indy, Indiana
Update: My orders have all shipped out so it should only be a couple weeks now before I get mine done.

Here are the links if you want to get the same stuff while they are in stock.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11074
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2844
http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/Produ...px?TranID=1488


I heard there was a good RC-F4 mod thread going around here, but I can not find it through my searches. Does anyone know where it is? If not can someone post pics of their mods.


@ Forum Moderators- I realize that i probably posted this in the wrong section. Please don't close this thread, but feel free to move it to the Mod section. Thanks!
 
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Re: RC-F4 mod?

All I know of RC-F4 thread is this one. But it's not really a mod thread.
I've fudged mine and bypassed the driver to make it direct driven light.
Even if you direct drive a Cree P4 with single RCR, it's a bit brighter.
(Check out my review in my sig for the results. Not heaps visible though)

But to get about double its original brightness, you need to do proper mod.
Possibly with sku 7882 board in DX with a Cree Q5 on 16mm base.
This will push the Q5 to over 1A with single RCR/14500/17670. =)
It also has a nice 3 mode (Low/Med/High) now apparently. Not 5 mode.
Check out my Mini 3W Cree review as I used this exact setup. Graph also.

Or you could try 4 x 7135 board from kaidomain also with just 3 modes.
Then use it with 2 x 3v LifePO4 rechargeables or 3v primary CR123As.
 
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Re: RC-F4 mod?

Do all RC-F4 easily open up? Mine is glued solid. I ruined all the finish in trying to open it but still could not. On the other hand, it is extremely bright as it is and frankly does not need to be modified. If you are looking to do some mods, pick up another light which takes drop-in such as RC-M4. It does not look as slick as RC-F4 but has more potential as it can take 18xxx battery.
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

I got my RC-f4 in the mail today and wow I love it! It is my first CREE and i was surprised at how bright it is. However I still want to mod it.

I want to have a two mode driver(high,low) at 1A that can handle two RCR's and while I am at it will probably put in a Q5 emmiter or an R2. Do you know of a two mode driver like this.

Also @Vikas mine opened up very easily, no glue or anything. I will post pictures here in a bit. I have the heatsink, I think, out so the mod should be easy. Keep in mind that I am new at this but I want to learn, so I figured the best way was to try it out for myself. I am open to all suggestions. Thanks.
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

Thanks! Your LED looks like better than P4, it looks like Q series at least

- Vikas
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

The native driver actually isn't so bad. It pushes something like 800mA into the LED, and with a Q5 the overall output reaches into the upper 100s - 175 or so at the emitter, probably.

However, due to the excellent refector (for throw), the ringy beam does reach out quite far (further than the Fenix TK10).

In my subjective testing (lightbox is out of service for a few days while I move), the Q5 modded RC-F4 is significantly brighter than a Fenix P2D-R100 and is only marginally dimmer than the Fenix RC-F4.

I substituted a forward clicky from the RC-N3 onto the RC-F4, and used a syringe to fill the entire pill with thermal epoxy (potted the LED as well). Now it's my "night WTF" light... I figure it can withstand almost anything (as long as the clicky doesn't break).
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

They must of changed the design of either the F4 or the N3, the tailcaps for my 2 won't swap over, which is a same I prefer reverse with modes as I have on my modded N3.
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

In my RC-F4, I have swapped the stock Cree P4 (because dome was broken after a drop on the ground, from 3 meters, but the cree worked yet) with a Q5 WC 16mm base buyed at DX.

It's certainly more powerful than the P4, and is cool white (with very slightly purple), but I prefer the warmer side (WG tint).

I have better perception (especially at longer distance) with warmer led than the cool white.

WC tint isn't bad, but my preference goes to WG tint, with a hint of yellow.
 
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Re: RC-F4 mod?

Questions :

1) Does someone knows the efficiency of the stock driver of the RC-F4 ?

2) How hard is the led driven ? 700mA ? 800mA ?

If I can easily swap the driver with another 3-mode (high-mid-low) driver (DX), I wish to do thid mod.

Thanks.
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

meuge said:
The native driver actually isn't so bad. It pushes something like 800mA into the LED, and with a Q5 the overall output reaches into the upper 100s - 175 or so at the emitter, probably.

However, due to the excellent refector (for throw), the ringy beam does reach out quite far (further than the Fenix TK10).

In my subjective testing (lightbox is out of service for a few days while I move), the Q5 modded RC-F4 is significantly brighter than a Fenix P2D-R100 and is only marginally dimmer than the Fenix RC-F4.

I substituted a forward clicky from the RC-N3 onto the RC-F4, and used a syringe to fill the entire pill with thermal epoxy (potted the LED as well). Now it's my "night WTF" light... I figure it can withstand almost anything (as long as the clicky doesn't break).
Click to expand...

Sorry I think I am a little confused by your post are you talking about the Romisen RC-F4. Anyway, I could use the stock driver but would prefer a two mode that could handle anywhere from 3V to 9v. Does anyone know where I could get one?


@ Flash007 If he is talking about the same RC- F4, and I don't know of any others. He says.
meuge said:
The native driver actually isn't so bad. It pushes something like 800mA into the LED, and with a Q5 the overall output reaches into the upper 100s - 175 or so at the emitter, probably.
Click to expand...
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

It should be a P4 still imo. All new Cree P4 and higher bin now comes with a Silver die and yellow core like above.
But... there is a possibly that new silver Cree's all start at around Q2 in efficiency and brightness. Bonus. =)

I should hopefully receive a new RC-F4 sometime in next 2-3 weeks.
Soon as I get it, I'll review it again with results / runtime graphs etc.
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

Most of the newer Cree LEDs have a silver backing, so yours is probably still a P4.

This LED + base should work. Around 30% more light.

As for a 2 stage driver that takes those voltages, the closest I've seen on DX is this one with 5 modes.
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

Okay, i am getting ready to order from DX but first I want to clear up a few questions. First can anyone confirm which 17670 batteries fit in the RC-F4.

Second, I have never used a flashlight with modes, so at first I was put off at first by to many modes. My question is how do they work? I understand the basic High>Medium>Low, but when you actually use it do you have to cycle through all the modes before it turns off, or is it like this High>off>low>off>medium>off, or some variation thereof. because if so that makes them a lot more appealing.


Third if Multi-Mode drivers work the way I am hoping, then driver that i use will just depend on the battery, as in whether or not I can use with the 17670 batteries. I am going to be using the 16mm Q5 from DX and need to find a driver that will fit, that drives the Q5 at one AMP.
I just want to confirm that the drivers below will work.

1.http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7882
2.http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6190
3.http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7612
4.http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7425

The first three are if I can use the 17670 battery and the fourth one, 16340.

If any of you have used these drivers any input would be great as I am still a little confused. Just pick one and let me know how it works, as in voltage range, output, and modes. Thanks!
 
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Re: RC-F4 mod?

That driver will work, but it's not ideal for a Q5 imo.

Once voltage drops below led vf, regulation drops off very quickly and unfortunately the vf of a Q5 driven at 1a is going to be quite high unless your lucky.

If you were going to use a rebel or SSC P4 then it would be better. I modded my F4 with sku 7425 and a rebel 100 and its a good combo.

If you want to use a Q5 I would run SKU 7425 (mine drove at about 925ma) and use 2xRCR.
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

Oops, it looks like I linked the wrong one. i meant this one.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7882

But anyway, Bigsy have you ran 17670 batteries with that driver? Now that I know the F4 will fit them I want to use them instead, for better runtime. I was afraid to get that driver because it looks like I will only get 700ma out of it with the 17670. Also where did you get your rebel 100?
 
Re: RC-F4 mod?

7882 would be the perfect driver, that is if you can get one to work, I've had 12 from the latest batch from both KD and DX none of them worked, I'm not the only one please see: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=192893

As for the rebel 100, I bought a cheap MTE light with one and transplanted it.

Heres an idea....You could buy a DX p60 DI module for $16 and take it apart. That way you get a Q5 with a guaranteed WC tint and a very nice powerful (1.2a on high), multi mode, fully current regulated driver. Still good value in my book, it would just need a bit of care desoldering.

EDIT: Oh and the DI driver would give you low voltage cutoff so it wouldn't matter so much if you had to use an unprotected cell.
 
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