TR-1200 Owners: What is your tailcap current?

[JP Labs]

EDIT: Replacement light arrived. Results in post #7.

Ok, I know quite at least several members have this light.

I also know, from space-time's helpful test, that a 'good' one will draw about 2.2A at the tailcap in high mode, running on 2x freshly charged 18650 cells.

Well, a couple of us who bought the same model within the last few weeks got lights with low output. Mine only pulled about 1/3 the expected current on high when I first got it, but the current went up a bit as the cell voltage dropped, and with cleaned contacts & threads. So, either the design has changed, or there are some duds. This light has (had) great potential, but it seems maybe that is over, and they are not so impressive anymore?

It would be very interesting to see data on the performance of the various samples owned by this community! So, if you have this light and are similarly interested, please do a simple current test at the tailcap with 2 freshly charged cells, and post the result. Please also note when you got your light. Then, maybe we can figure out if the product was downgraded permanently. If not, it's probably worth returning the weak ones in hopes of getting a better one. If any new lights have >2A results, great! Let us know!

My results are:
*770 mA with 2 fresh charged Trustfire 18650s

*1.13A after cleaning the contacts, running on high for about 15 minutes, and then letting it cool down again. It still showed 8.17V open circuit across the pair of batteries.

*I ordered it in late may, 2010. Received on or around June 17th.

I don't want to be redundant in this thread, but if you want to know more, or see our questions and ideas on how to mod the weak ones for more output, that thread is linked below. Also, a brief description on how to do the measurement, in case you don't already know:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=3434597#post3434597

Thanks in advance to any who will measure and share data, it will be appreciated!!!

 

[Witnessonly]

Received mine around the 5th of Jan, second shipment I'm guessing.


Current reads:
1.84A on high
1.01A on medium
450mA on low


2 Trustfire's 18650 reading 8.4v

Hope that's of some help.

WO

 

[JP Labs]

Great, that's a pretty good data set already, except for not having purchase date info for most lights (Thanks Witnessonly!!). I appreciate it.

Well, it seems that:
1) There is a full range of current draw on these lights.
2) So far, the only verified dates for the brighter lights are more than 6 months ago, so a product downgrade is still looking like a strong possibility.

Keep 'em coming, and please remember to try to give at least a rough idea of when you bought your light.

I wonder if there are completely different drivers in these variants, or if maybe it's something as simple as a poorly controlled resistor value. If the latter, maybe there is a fix.

 

[riccardo]

Tailcap measurement with two fresh 18650 shown a steady 2,3A.
Ordered at beginning of May, received at beginning of June..

 

[JP Labs]

Awesome, first sign there are still good ones being made. Thanks!

 

[aurum]

3*18650 @ 4.2V (12.6V) current is 1.15A ...

EDIT: 2*18650 = 2.05A ...

 

[JP Labs]

Got my replacement light!

OK, I sent the original light described in the first post back, and finally got my replacement. This one draws a little more current, but is still way below spec.

With the same 2 fresh charged batteries (8.4 V), leads, meter, etc, this light draws:

0.99 A on Hi (last one was 0.77)
0.48 A on Med
0.07 A on Lo

That's all as-received. I'll clean it up soon and update again.
UPDATE: Well, degreasing, Deoxit, and a little more spring tension made no difference in current today. 1.00 before, and 1.00 after. I suspect that the increase I saw after cleaning the last one was more due to the battery voltage dropping a bit, and causing the regulation to amp it up a bit. This time I topped the batteries off again.

It's not noticeably brighter, in comparison with my other lights, than the last sample was. In fact, it seems dimmer, but it's been several weeks, and my judgment is probably clouded by disappointment. Also, this sample is missing one tailcap o-ring and the 2nd is ripped. As a bonus, it was wrapped in packing tape at the end so it's all gooey, for added grip. Nice.

Well, I know it's a gamble to buy cheap China-direct lights, so I can't be bitter. Sarcastic, yes, but not bitter. I've won some, I'll suck up the losses, too. But with 2 for 2 bad new samples, I can't recommend ordering a TR-1200 anymore, unless you can muster a similar sentiment.

It would still probably be valuable for future readers if any new samples folks do buy could be listed here. Maybe I'm unlucky.

 

[Flashie]

Hi,

Mine is pulling 0,71 with 3 18650 cells (freshly charged) and 1,0 amps with 2 18650. pretty horrible 🙁

-i ordered a new driver, but im unsure how to replace the one currently fitted (how to get it out without tearing everything apart).

-Flashie

P.s. My trustfire TR-650 pulls 1,45 amps. (4 emitters)

 

[JP Labs]

Hi,

Mine is pulling 0,71 with 3 18650 cells (freshly charged) and 1,0 amps with 2 18650. pretty horrible 🙁

-i ordered a new driver, but im unsure how to replace the one currently fitted (how to get it out without tearing everything apart).

-Flashie

P.s. My trustfire TR-650 pulls 1,45 amps. (4 emitters)

As I recall, you unscrew the head, take it apart as far as you can by unscrewing bezel, etc, and there are 3 screws going into the fins from the back. Remove these to pull the heatsink out from the head. I don't remember exactly, though.

What driver did you order?

 

[Flashie]

Hi,

I ordered a 15w driver from well known site (not sure if I may link to the driver in this forum) but its a 5V~8.4V 15W 5*Cree 5-Mode Memory Circuit Board for Flashlights (26mm*13mm) . Its a little bit bigger than the current one but i think its possible. the driver has been mentioned several times on this board with different mods from HansV I think it was.

Its just a little bit sad to order such a powerfull flashlight only to find out they saved 10 cents on the driver and now its performing really horrible. So its just standing there on the shelf. 🙁

 

[sacongo]

I have the tr-800 with the (5 emitters) i get 2.2 amps with 2 18650 my batts are not the best but new batteries are on the way. Could this light handle the 3 18650 with ext tube? Im still trying to figure out what is the diffrence from the tr-800 with (5 emitters) and the tr-1200 with (5 emitters). To me this light is amazing lee bright.

 

[JP Labs]

Hi,

I ordered a 15w driver from well known site (not sure if I may link to the driver in this forum) but its a 5V~8.4V 15W 5*Cree 5-Mode Memory Circuit Board for Flashlights (26mm*13mm) . Its a little bit bigger than the current one but i think its possible. the driver has been mentioned several times on this board with different mods from HansV I think it was.

Its just a little bit sad to order such a powerfull flashlight only to find out they saved 10 cents on the driver and now its performing really horrible. So its just standing there on the shelf. 🙁

Did you get the driver in yet, Flashie? Let us know how it turns out!

 

[benckie]

old thread but my wife brought me one (TrustFire TR-1200 Cree Q5 WC 5-Mode) for a anniversary present on the 27/6/11 to mount on a bike. Mine draws 1.84 amps on high with 2 x Grey Ultrafire's LC 2400 mah batteries, i have not done any thing to the light just got it out of the box and added charged batteries, the batteries are pretty average and i would expect a little more draw from some decent batteries, I'm happy with mine for 32 bucks shipped.

 

[benckie]

2.05 amps with 2 x trustfire tf 2400 mah batteries