Strange L1D-CE behavior (Solved)

[BillMPL]

OK, this is really weird. I'm using my new L1D-CE, (on turbo with Hybrid NiMi's), to do my nightly mosquito check throughout the house, when suddenly the light output fades real low. I turn the light off, then back on, but it won't come on. I try switching it to low, but still nothing. I take the battery out and check the voltage which is at 1.1v. I put the same cell back in and it's working again, but now for the strange part. Before this, my light had the typical dark cree ring around the hot spot, so much so that I was considering swapping the reflector for one of David's textured ones. Now, the dark ring is replaced by a faint, warm, yellowish/white ring, not completely uniform in it's roundness. The beam is quite different than it was. I think it's about the same brightness, but I'm not positive. Anyone know what happened, and if this could be a sign that the emitter is going to fail?

Bill

 

[greenLED]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

OK, this is really weird. I'm using my new L1D-CE, (on turbo with Hybrid NiMi's) ... I take the battery out and check the voltage which is at 1.1v.

Sounds like low batt to me.

 

[RonM]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

Gotta agree with Greenie. Sounds like a weak battery. The voltage is dropping too low during use, but maybe recovering a bit after the light is off. Can't comment on the wierd part though.

 

[BillMPL]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

Sounds like low batt to me.

OK, but why did the light pattern change?:thinking:

 

[Kilovolt]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

Because the LED is fed below its minimum voltage it is likely that its behaviour becomes slightly different.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

Have you tried another Battery

 

[Steve L]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

When the light dims it's telling you it's time to charge the battery. At 1v a NiMh is empty, if youlet it sit the voltage will rebound and the light will continue to function. If using a DMM to test voltage you are doing so with no load so you will get a higher reading.

 

[BillMPL]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

I guess I didn't explain this well, but it continues to have this new beam pattern even with new batteries. Something has been permanently changed, that's what I don't understand. What do you think happened?

 

[Steve L]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

One possibility is maybe the reflector moved slightly. I remember that some people loosened the head to try and focus the beam and get rid of the Cree rings. Here's a link: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1833664&postcount=68

 

[BillMPL]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

The head was never opened, and it exactly correlates with when the light dimmed.

 

[BillMPL]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

Examining the beam pattern more, I'd say that some of the hot spot has been dispersed into the dark ring area. So, less hot spot and less dark ring...not necessarily bad, as long as the emitter is OK, although, I'd still like to know what happened.

Bill

 

[greenLED]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

I guess I didn't explain this well, but it continues to have this new beam pattern even with new batteries.

That's interesting. Try using alkaline batts for a bit; you may have a faulty set of rechargeables. Once that's out of the way, we can play guessing games at other likely culprits and potential explanations.

 

[BillMPL]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

I've tried all different types of batteries on it, including adding the P2D tube and going with 3v lithiums, and they all give the same beam pattern. It's definately a very different pattern than before.

 

[BillMPL]

Re: Strange L1D-CE behavior

One possibility is maybe the reflector moved slightly. I remember that some people loosened the head to try and focus the beam and get rid of the Cree rings. Here's a link: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1833664&postcount=68

With great difficulty, I finally managed to get the head open, cleaned the threads and reassembled the light. I am now getting my original beam pattern, again with the typical cree ring. Apparently Steve was right and I somehow turned the head out of the normal focus when opening the light to check the dead battery. Well problem solved, and now I can get maximum throw, or, adjust the focus slightly to improve the beam. Thanks for all your help.

Bill