Reprogramming drivers

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Oznog

Enlightened
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Dec 2, 2006
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I notice from some of the close-up shots on DealExtreme that the drivers often use Microchip PIC controllers.

I do a lot with PICs. I have a programmer.

Has anyone been doing work with completely reprogramming these? Not this "reprogramming" by using easter eggs in the code but giving it new code.

It'd be nice to get rid of retarded SOS/strobe modes, maybe give it a "soft" turn-on so I'm not blinded (well, not really that necessary just a personal touch). And make it just use the two or three levels I'd want.

Be nice if I could press the button a certain way and have it report battery voltage with a number of flashes.
 
Hmmm... well, I've got a DX's SKU 7882 here with the PIC12F629 on it. Runs on 1AA but I was hoping for a lithium.

12F629 does have code protection on it, and it's looking difficult to interpret what the components are. So if they enabled code protection (you can't read back what's in it) then it gets difficult to make a program for. Well, I guess I could at least just play with the voltages and see what freq and duty the thing is making.

Actually I'm kinda curious here about the schematic since it's a single-AA. I'm familiar with the Joule Thief and all, the inductor here is only a single-tap and I'm kinda curious how the implemented the boosting and how the PIC controls the current in that.

I'm really looking for a single lithium board though. I keep reading the stuff though that shows they're either linear buck- which sucks because half of a lithium's capacity is below the voltage needed to run the LED at the intended power, plus it's inefficient when batt voltage is high. Or they're one of these double-stacked boards which is probably a boost followed by a linear buck or something; people say they're really inefficient. I guess... well, a proper low voltage buck-boost isn't all THAT difficult to design, maybe?
 
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How odd to see this thread now--I've just been reading through the datasheet for the 12f629 in my DX driver in preparation for writing my own code! Let us know how your attempts work out
 
You gonna try to read off the code for reference first? I might try to set it up but lemme know if you're doing it so I can save myself the trouble. If it's code-protected, it's not gonna happen. I don't feel bad because we're not trying to copy their code but improve on the device I bought from them (and may buy more).
 
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This is indeed an interesting subject,I love threads like this.I have been interested in doing this for quite some time,but lack the knowledge,I hope you guys can get this worked out.I may be able to help in one area though,sending a PM.

-Michael
 
I've been wishing there were drivers made for us to hack code on. Include a connector that plugs into a programming dongle, then give us a GUI that lets us select 1-5 modes, and program the thing. It would not be difficult. The flashed light could then be re-done by the end user to have 0-100%, 2-mode, 1-mode, or to spell your name in morse code.

I also wish I had a light with a dial and a clicky switch. The dial would set the light level, and the clicky switch would be an on/off. Nobody's ever made one of those.

Andy
 
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recycledelectrons said:
I also wish I had a light with a dial and a clicky switch. The dial would set the light level, and the clicky switch would be an on/off. Nobody's ever made one of those.

Andy
Click to expand...

Surefire U2,and upcoming Invictus and Optimus have those features.

-Michael
 
recycledelectrons said:
I've been wishing there were drivers made for us to hack code on. Include a connector that plugs into a programming dongle, then give us a GUI that lets us select 1-5 modes, and program the thing. It would not be difficult. The flashed light could then be re-done by the end user to have 0-100%, 2-mode, 1-mode, or to spell your name in morse code.

I also wish I had a light with a dial and a clicky switch. The dial would set the light level, and the clicky switch would be an on/off. Nobody's ever made one of those.

Andy
Click to expand...
Then it wouldn't matter what the manufacturer thought was the right UI, we could pick ourselves from the computer keyboard from a menu that would allow anything the user could imagine. I like both ideas, but the biggest one for me would be the customizable UI. :twothumbs
 
I have considered this for the GDuP and the SOBuP. Both are re-programmable even in a light engine.

The way I would implement it would be to have all the features pre-coded in the firmware and with a special fixture you can dock the LE into set the dip switches or turn knobs to set the configuration you desire and then it would retain those settings.

The fixture would be a dumb fixture with the switches, knob and probably battery holders to power the unit up.

It's only in concept phase. The converter board is re-programmable as is and the programming accessibility is through holes in the anode board when it's mounted in light engine.

Wayne
 
dat2zip said:
I have considered this for the GDuP and the SOBuP. Both are re-programmable even in a light engine.

The way I would implement it would be to have all the features pre-coded in the firmware and with a special fixture you can dock the LE into set the dip switches or turn knobs to set the configuration you desire and then it would retain those settings.

The fixture would be a dumb fixture with the switches, knob and probably battery holders to power the unit up.

It's only in concept phase. The converter board is re-programmable as is and the programming accessibility is through holes in the anode board when it's mounted in light engine.

Wayne
Click to expand...
Is there any chance we'll ever see anything small enough to replace the L0D engine? I would like to have a couple of those right now and more down the road as the L0D has been my go-to giveaway light for about a year now.
 
I seem to remember in a thread on AMC7135 drivers, someone did re-program modes on it. I could be wrong though.
 
kaichu dento said:
Is there any chance we'll ever see anything small enough to replace the L0D engine? I would like to have a couple of those right now and more down the road as the L0D has been my go-to giveaway light for about a year now.
Click to expand...

Define small enough? The GDuP is 0.55" in diameter and will fit in most AA lights or larger.

Wayne
 
kaichu dento said:
Then it wouldn't matter what the manufacturer thought was the right UI, we could pick ourselves from the computer keyboard from a menu that would allow anything the user could imagine. I like both ideas, but the biggest one for me would be the customizable UI. :twothumbs
Click to expand...

I meant a UI for non-programmers to pick modes for their lights. I meant the UI on the computer screen, not in the flashlihgt's buttons.

Andy
 
recycledelectrons said:
I meant a UI for non-programmers to pick modes for their lights. I meant the UI on the computer screen, not in the flashlihgt's buttons.

Andy
Click to expand...
Yeah, that was how I interpreted your post, and I'm with you all the way on this idea! Have a computer accessible interface with boxes to click for selecting options and sliders for selecting output! :thumbsup:
 
I'd be interested in a pure controller, that can be hooked up to whatever buck/boost driver.

I've got some extra DX boards on the way to play with just for that reason.
 
Is there thread locker on the reflector threads? Did you need to use heat to remove it?
 
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